Passing of Musicologist Jitka Fukačová

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of musicologist and long‑time radio editor Dr Jitka Fukačová, a distinguished figure of Brno’s musical life and a pioneer of modern radio dramaturgy. Her work was also closely connected with the music of Bohuslav Martinů, to which she devoted systematic attention during her tenure at Brno Radio.

Jitka Fukačová played a key role in establishing the tradition of regular monthly live broadcasts from the Janáček Opera, inaugurated with the historic transmission of the 1965 premiere of The Cunning Little Vixen. Her thoughtful dramaturgical approach led to the creation of an extensive archive of recordings documenting not only the then‑current generation of soloists, but also landmark works of 20th‑century opera, including pieces by Arnold Schoenberg, Francis Poulenc and Darius Milhaud.

She also made a significant contribution to the promotion of Martinů’s operatic works. Under her direction, the world radio premiere of The Tears of the Knife (1969) was produced, as well as the recording of The Comedy on the Bridge, which received the Golden Orpheus Award in Paris in 1986. Her work greatly enriched both the documentation and the reception of Martinů’s music in the Czech Republic and abroad.

The passing of Dr Jitka Fukačová is a profound loss for Czech musical culture, radio dramaturgy and the scholarly community dedicated to the legacy of Bohuslav Martinů. She leaves behind an exceptional body of work that will continue to serve as a valuable resource for researchers, performers and listeners.