The world premiere of a unique project took place on September 13 during the alumni gathering at the Faculty of Chemistry. Created as an original contribution to the 125th anniversary of Brno University of Technology, this unconventional work of art connects two seemingly incompatible worlds – chemistry and opera, science and art. The story, libretto, and screenplay were written by Marek Řihák, a doctoral student at the Faculty of Chemistry and a parallel student of opera directing at the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts.
Final act shot at the Mahen Theatre
Technical fields are often perceived by the general public as somewhat intimidating. When you say you study chemistry, you rarely hear: “Wow, I envy you – that’s always been my dream field.” Similarly, the idea of an evening at the opera instills anxiety in some people, so it’s not common to hear: “Oh, how I’d love to listen to several people singing at once in a language I don’t understand for three hours.” So combining chemistry and opera should logically result in something completely unappealing. But as scientists, we set out to disprove this assumption and show that both chemistry and opera can be attractive – not only on their own but also in combination.
The Faculty of Chemistry became the setting for a short production following the story of a young couple. He studies chemistry and is deeply passionate about it. She doesn’t understand chemistry but wants to be with him. Each has a completely different idea of an ideal evening. While it seems the student would rather spend a romantic evening with bacteria in the lab than with his partner at the theatre, everything changes during a dreamlike night. He finds himself at the faculty, but now music plays constantly. Teachers and classmates no longer speak – they sing. The student tries to figure out what’s going on and how to stop this madness – music and singing surely have no place in a lab! But after a few lessons, he concludes that to understand this world, he must be guided by music. Perhaps the magic of harmony can solve more than one might think. Jiří Smilek, Institute of Physical and Applied Chemistry
This chemical mini-opera, with music by Matěj Gregor, humorously plays with everyday student situations. The characters’ stories are loosely inspired by real-life moments in the world of chemistry, exaggerated for comedic effect – revealing what may go through the mind of any student from time to time. But the goal wasn’t just to entertain. The piece also aims to show that life at the faculty is not just about science and study. It’s about collaboration and friendship – without which no project like this could come to life. There’s no need to fear chemistry or opera; both worlds have much to offer if you’re willing to be open to them. Both students and staff became involved
The project also brought together multiple worlds. Because the mini-opera was conceived as a video from the beginning, the traditional stage world merged with an audiovisual team led by director Filip Volf and cinematographer Vojtěch Konečný. Theatre met film, each with its own rules, requiring careful compromise so that neither side was shortchanged. Students and staff of the faculty faced a significant challenge: learning to lip-sync to pre-recorded vocals by Anna Zedníčková, Bedřiška Ponížilová, Pavel Valenta, and Aleš Musil – recorded under the baton of Marek Madeja with an orchestra made up of professional musicians and students from the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts. Dancers also took part, with choreography by Sim, playing a key role in the final scene set in the stunning Mahen Theatre.
Hopefully, this mini-opera serves as a small reminder that neither opera nor chemistry is something to be afraid of. After all, we live in a city renowned both for science (from Mendel to electron microscopes and space probes) and music, especially thanks to composer Leoš Janáček, who lived and worked here. So the next time you’re wondering how to spend your evening after a long day in the lab, consider giving the theatre a try. Go with a friend, in a group – or even alone. After all, the heroine of the chemical mini-opera went alone too, and she certainly didn’t regret it.
Marek Řihák
The author of the story, libretto and screenplay, the FCH BUT PhD student, Marek ŘihákTRAILERCHEMICAL OPERA
