Prague’s opera scene is among the world’s most accomplished, and its venues are also some of the most breathtaking. An earlier ranking named its Estates Theatre one of the world’s most beautiful, alongside Palais Garnier in Paris, France, and the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
If you’re new to opera, an upcoming festival devoted to Czech and Slovak opera performers will take place at venues across the Czech capital from Jan. 29 to April 18, 2025, presenting the perfect opportunity to explore what the city offers. Most performances feature English subtitles (or surtitles, projected above the stage).
The 16th biannual Festival of Musical Theater OPERA presents the largest edition in the festival’s history, with an impressive 27 shows.
"The Festival OPERA is more than just a showcase; it is a platform for dialogue, inspiration, and artistic exchange," says director Lenka Černá. “Our goal is to present the richness of opera beyond traditional settings and to highlight the ever-evolving nature of music theater.”
In honor of the festival, here’s an overview of the city's opera scene—from ticket pricing to this year’s must-see performances, along with a few historical high notes.
Prague's grand operahouses
Estates Theatre (Stavovské divadlo) The Neo-classical Prague landmark remains one of the few European theaters to remain preserved in its almost original state to the present day. Mozart composer conducted his Don Giovanni at the opera house in 1787. Director Miloš Forman shot his Oscar-winning film Amadeus there in 1983.
Cheap seats: CZK 190-390 Best seats: from CZK 1,090 Premiering in 2025: Luigi Cherubini's Medea on Jan. 23. Website: www.narodni-divadlo.cz
State Opera House (Státní opera) Opened in 1888, it underwent extensive renovations in recent years reopening in 2020. The Neo-Renaissance State Opera House with its Neo-Rococo interior was built by the German community in response to the Czech National Theatre. While it did not surpass the National Theatre artistically, it offered a larger stage and greater seating capacity—still the largest in Prague today.
Cheap seats: CZK 490 Best seats: CZK 1,490 Premiering in 2025: Puccini's Manon Lescaut on March 27 Website: www.narodni-divadlo.cz
The National Theatre (Národní divadlo), known as the alma mater of Czech opera, is one of the most important Czech cultural institutions. It was built in the 19th century during the Golden Age of the Czech national revival and inaugurated on Nov. 18, 1883, with a performance of Smetana’s festive opera Libuše.
Cheap seats: CZK250-490 Best seats: CZK 1,290 Must-watch performance: A new production of Dvořák’s Rusalka Website: www.narodni-divadlo.cz
Note: Prices vary depending on performance and seating. Prices given here reflect a range.
Famous opera divas
Notable Czech sopranos from the early 20th century to today, include Emmy Destinn, Maria Jeritza, Jarmila Novotná, Eva Randová, Gabriela Beňačková, Eva Urbanová, and Magdalena Kožená, among others.
Emmy Destinnová (1878–1930) was a distinguished Czech operatic soprano born in Prague. She achieved international acclaim, notably at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where she performed over 300 times in 24 operas. Her likeness was featured on the 2,000 Czech koruna banknote, honoring her significant contributions to opera.
Tereza Stolzová (1834–1902) was a Bohemian soprano renowned for her powerful voice and dramatic presence. Born in Kostelec nad Labem, she studied at the Prague Conservatory before debuting in Tbilisi in 1857. Stolz achieved international acclaim, notably performing the title role in Verdi’s Aida at La Scala in 1872. She was also the soprano soloist at the premiere of Verdi’s Requiem in 1874.
Magdalena Kožená, born in Brno, is a celebrated mezzo-soprano known for her versatile voice. She has performed worldwide with leading conductors and orchestras. Dagmar Pecková, also a renowned mezzo-soprano who studied at the Prague Conservatory, has performed at top venues like Carnegie Hall and the Concertgebouw.
2025 Opera festival lineup
Since its inception in 1993, the Festival of Musical Theater OPERA has traditionally been held at the National Theatre; this year the festival will expand into various non-traditional and alternative venues across Prague, including Estates Theatre, State Opera, La Fabrika, and Komedie Theatre.
Photo: Opera Festival
The festival will open with Leoš Janáček's Katia Kabanowa at the Estates Theatre on Jan. 29, featuring soprano Tereza Kavecká in the lead role. Other highlights include the Czech premiere of Nino Rota’s The Florentine Straw Hat and a performance of Adam ed Eva by Mozart's contemporary, Josef Mysliveček.
Audiences can also look forward to a new commission by the South Bohemian Theatre, an opera inspired by the life of Jan Amos Comenius, and the National Theatre Prague's productions of Puccini's Manon Lescaut and Cherubini's Medea. The Moravian Theatre Olomouc will bring a double bill of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci.
The festival isn't just for opera aficionados; it offers family-friendly productions such as The Little Prince from the Banská Bystrica State Opera and Hurvínek Barters the Bride. Experimental performances will also feature prominently, with site-specific events like in the Savarin Riding Hall and a pork feast opera at Vzlet.
Ticket prices range from 190 CZK to 1,090 CZK, with discounts available for those attending multiple performances. Tickets can be purchased through the National Theatre box office and other partner outlets.