Musical Theatre

Research into musical theatre at the Department of Theatre Studies primarily focuses on the history and theory of opera directing and stage design. We examine opera from the theatrological perspective. Therefore we are interested in staging practice, especially within the Czech Republic and the former Czechoslovakia. We examine the theatre functions of all the components of opera, including music, stage design and directing dramaturgical potential.

Recently researchers´ interest in Czech and Czechoslovak musicals, their history and staging methods in the worldwide context has also appeared.

Research Focus and Methods

Our research in the area of music theatre thematically focuses on staging practice of opera at the State, now National Theatre in Brno and smaller related projects. We are engaged in  thinking about opera directing and its changes (e.g. O. Zítek, R. Walter, M. Wasserbauer, V. Věžník). We also focus on the specifics of opera stage design. In this respect we pay special attention to Richard Wagner´s music drama as a staging challenge.

In musicals we study Ivo Osolsobě´s legacy and we approach the musical as an object worthy of interdisciplinary research, which needs not only a theatrological but especially a sociological and cultural anthropological perspective.

Joining International Research

We try to connect our research into opera theatre of the 20th century in Brno with historiographical research into music theatre in Europe. Our project “The Generation of Miloš Wasserbauer and the Progressive Opera Dramaturgy in the State Theatre in Brno” also maps foreign activities of the Opera Ensemble of the State Theatre in Brno, especially in Italy, Germany, Austria and other countries.

Directing and stage-design concepts in productions of Richard Wagner´s works is studied as part of Euro-American staging practice.