PP NAP | Petr Popelka

Petr Popelka features in Czech documentary series Dirigenti

Petr Popelka’s journey from bow to baton – having begun his orchestral career as a topflight double bassist – is the subject of the third installment of the Czech docuseries Dirigenti, which delves into the careers and personal lives of Czechia’s highest regarded conductors.

“The Dirigenti series shows the specific work of an artist who shapes the orchestra and the sound of the interpreted compositions. We want to show the audience how difficult the process is before ‘lifeless’ notation becomes animated live music, and how the alchemy works between a conductor and a many-bodied orchestra, full of artistic individuals. It is also of great interest to us to discover journey that brought to the conductor’s podium of various orchestras.”, explained creative producer Kateřina Ondřejková.

His forthcoming performances include his debut with RAI Torino on 16 and 17 February, and a return to the Danish National Symphony Orchestra on 23 and 24 February.

Watch the documentary (in Czech)