Acclaimed director Katie Mitchell returns to Covent Garden with a radical, sustainable take on immortality, love and power — collaborating with new Music Director Jakub Hrůša for The Royal Opera’s first-ever staging of Janáček’s haunting masterpiece.

Tuesday 14 October 2025 — A new era dawns at Covent Garden as Katie Mitchell directs The Royal Opera’s first-ever production of The Makropulos Case, conducted by newly appointed Music Director Jakub Hrůša. This high-profile collaboration brings together two of the most in-demand talents in opera for a strikingly modern retelling of Janáček’s enigmatic story about the quest for eternal life.

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1) Katie Mitchell Returns with a Feminist, Eco-Conscious Vision

Known for her fearless storytelling and commitment to sustainable theatre, Katie Mitchell reimagines Janáček’s century-old opera for the digital age. Set in a contemporary world of dating apps, LGBTQ+ relationships and modern anxieties, her production continues a long line of thought-provoking work — from Lungs to The Blue Woman — all with a feminist perspective and an eye on environmental responsibility.

Every detail, from set design to costume, embraces low-impact materials, reuse and recycling — pushing the boundaries of how large-scale opera can progress toward net zero while maintaining artistic excellence.

2) A World-Class Cast Brings Janáček’s Masterpiece to Life

Leading the cast is Ausrine Stundyte as the immortal Emilia Marty, fresh from her acclaimed debut in Elektra. She is joined by Heather Engebretson as Krista and Sean Panikkar as Albert Gregor. The ensemble also includes Johan Reuter (Baron Prus), Henry Waddington (Dr Kolenatý), Peter Hoare (Vítek), and Daniel Matoušek (Janek), alongside Alan Oke, Susan Bickley, Jingwen Cai (Jette Parker Artist), and Jeremy White.

Hrůša, who dazzled critics with his conducting of Jenůfa earlier this year, reunites with The Royal Opera’s Orchestra and Chorus for what promises to be a musically electrifying performance.

3) Mitchell’s Sustainable Opera Revolution

Mitchell’s creative team — including Vicki Mortimer (set design), Sussie Juhlin-Wallén (costumes), James Farncombe (lighting), Sasha Balmazi-Owen (video), and Ita O’Brien (intimacy direction) — have worked to integrate sustainability at every stage. Materials are sourced responsibly, designs are repurposed, and energy-efficient lighting is central to the production’s ethos.

This new staging not only redefines Janáček’s opera for the 21st century but also asks vital questions about the future of art in a world facing climate change.

4) The Timeless Story of Immortality, Desire and Power

Composed between 1923 and 1925, The Makropulos Case explores the haunting story of a woman who has lived for over 400 years thanks to a potion of immortality. As her secret unravels, themes of vanity, decay and humanity’s obsession with eternal life come to the fore — told through Janáček’s thrilling score and raw emotional honesty.

The opera runs 4–21 November 2025 on the Main Stage of the Royal Opera House, sung in Czech with English surtitles. Performances last around two hours with no interval. Tickets start from just £10.

5) A Landmark Season for The Royal Opera

This production continues The Royal Opera’s legacy of award-winning Janáček interpretations, following celebrated stagings of Jenůfa and From the House of the Dead. Under Jakub Hrůša’s musical direction and Oliver Mears’ leadership, the Company reaffirms its commitment to bringing bold, inclusive, and sustainable productions to Covent Garden and audiences worldwide.

Need-to-Know

Book Tickets — The Makropulos Case

• Production: The Makropulos Case by Leoš Janáček
• Venue: The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
• Dates: 4–21 November 2025
• Tickets: £10 – £211  |  rbo.org.uk
• Conductor: Jakub Hrůša  |  Director: Katie Mitchell
• Language: Sung in Czech with English subtitles
• Duration: Approx. 2 hours, no interval
• Content guidance: Contains references to suicide, drug use, gunshot effects, and simulated sexual activity

© The Royal Opera, 2025. All details subject to change.