Czech Violinist Jiří Pánek has Died, Aged 77

Pánek was an influential opera leader and served as concertmaster and director of the JK Tyl Theatre

Born in 1947 in Klatovy, Czech Republic, violinist Jiří Pánek studied at the Pilsen Conservatory from 1962 to 1968. 

In 1970, he joined the JK Tyl Theatre (DJKT) in Pilsen and soon served as concertmaster of the theatre orchestra. From 2006 to 2012, he was opera director at DJKT.  

Throughout his tenure at DJKT, he oversaw the staging of 29 operas — many of which were performed in Pilsen for the first time or after many years, including The Spanish Hour, The Maid of Orleans, Adriana Lecouvreur, The Marriage, The Turk in Italy, and more.  

He also successfully promoted operas at DJKT usually reserved for large opera stages, such as Salome, Turandot, Prince Igor, and La Gioconda. Further, he supported the DJKT in staging six Czech opera titles at a time when Czech opera repertoire was rarely performed elsewhere. 

Additionally, under Pánek’s leadership, opera productions for children began gaining traction. Formed at his suggestion, the company’s Sunday Opera Matinees have been operating regularly since 2007.

“We regret to announce that violinist and former head of the DJKT opera, Jiří Pánek, (has) passed away,” DJKT wrote in a tribute. “Jiří knew the Pilsen Opera well, its artists and the local audience, and he made the most of this experience during his directorship … As his friend and prop master of the Grand Theatre Vladimír Pelech says, (Jiří) was small but clever and fun to be with.” 

Our condolences to Mr. Pánek’s family, friends, and colleagues.