A concert performance of Janáček’s hilarious satire about art, lunar travel, nationalism – and sausages. 

The Music

The ‘hero’ of Janáček’s 1920 satire is the sausage- and beer-guzzling Brouček, a complacent, commitment-averse landlord. Over two acts he travels to both the moon and the 15th century. Thinking the grass will be greener both times, Brouček finds himself out of step with the communities he encounters, almost fatally so at one point. He ends up learning nothing, yet manages to claim he saved his homeland from disaster. Janáček’s colourful score and vividly-drawn characters are perfect for this uproarious, off-beat story. 

The Performers

Sir Simon Rattle expertly leads the LSO and choruses through the twists and turns of the plot, with Peter Hoare brilliantly bringing the drunken Brouček to life.