Name: Breaking barriers: Conductor Anna Novotná Pešková on succeeding in a male-dominated environment
Uploaded: 2025-03-14T12:34:37+00:00
Channel: Martin Hladík
Description: Although women composers have been around for centuries, the field remains largely male-dominated, with few women leading prominent global ensembles. Born 110 years ago, Vítězslava Kaprálová may have been one of those women had she lived longer. Following in her footsteps today is Anna Novotná Pešková, appointed conductor of the National Theatre Opera and the

Photo: Hana Řeháková, Radio Prague International

Although women composers have been around for centuries, the field remains largely male-dominated, with few women leading prominent global ensembles. Born 110 years ago, Vítězslava Kaprálová may have been one of those women had she lived longer. Following in her footsteps today is Anna Novotná Pešková, appointed conductor of the National Theatre Opera and the State Opera at just 28. In this edition of our series on Czech female pioneers, I asked her for her perspective on working in a male-dominated field, the challenges young conductors face in earning respect, and what drives her passion for conducting:

You were born in Opočno and grew up in the East Bohemian town of Hradec Králové, where you attended the local music school.

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