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Stopka's Pilsner Pub


ČESKÁ 5


Prior to 1918, Česká street was called Rudolfsgasse and with its many cafés and pubs served as a promenade for Brno's Czech inhabitants. From those which Janáček frequented, today we can visit the Stopka's Pilsner Pub, which used to be a favourite place for Czech social and cultural life. What was originally Jonák's Pilsner Pub was taken over in 1910 by the landlord Jaroslav Stopka. The Art Nouveau frescoes on the facade of the building were designed by the painter Ladislav Novák, who also designed the front cover to the piano score for Janáček's opera The Excursions of Mr Brouček. The pub used to house a painting by Antonín Kalvoda [?] called "At Stopka's Pub", which depicted local society including Leoš Janáček, the conductor Břetislav Bakala and the writers Jiří Mahen and Alois Mrštík. 

The same building on Rudolfská (Česká) street 5 was also the headquarters of the Moravian Chamber of Lawyers, one of whose members was František Pauk, Leoš Janáček's representative in the dispute with the Cooperative of the National Theatre in Prague over the performance of the opera Fate at the Vinohrady Theatre.

Česká street, view from náměstí Svobody, on the left Jonák's Pilsner Pub, Jaroslav Stopka © Brno City Archive
Česká street, view from náměstí Svobody, on the left Jonák's Pilsner Pub, Jaroslav Stopka © Brno City Archive

You have given me such a wonderful surprise that I do not know how to thank you. It's as though Brouček has come alive in front of my very eyes, his landlady - I just have her like Kedruta in the 15th century - so fitting! Etherea with the flower hat - and Málinka - with a money box! It's a masterly piece of work that you've achieved. And not just the title page - I think that it would make a wonderful theatre poster! In the meantime I thank you with all my heart. In one page you have captured the tone which I searched for in 300-400 pages of a piano score.

From a letter from Leoš Janáček to the painter Ladislav Novák (23. 5. 1919)


The facade of the Stopka‘s Pub with frescoes by Ladislav Novák (1920)  ©  Josef Filip Publishers
The facade of the Stopka‘s Pub with frescoes by Ladislav Novák (1920) © Josef Filip Publishers
Stopka‘s Pub interior © Josef Filip Publishers
Stopka‘s Pub interior © Josef Filip Publishers
Speech melody: On Česká street 11. 12. 1923 Leoš Janáček noted: A girl stopped and asked me, "Excuse me, what is the time?" Me, "Quarter past four." The girl, "Thank you." © Moravian Museum
Speech melody: On Česká street 11. 12. 1923 Leoš Janáček noted: A girl stopped and asked me, "Excuse me, what is the time?" Me, "Quarter past four." The girl, "Thank you." © Moravian Museum
Speech melody: On Česká street 24. 7. 1928 Leoš Janáček noted: "I haven't got it bad!" said a 16-year-old well-dressed girl with a sardonic smile. She was walking with a lady and a small girl. © Moravian Museum
Speech melody: On Česká street 24. 7. 1928 Leoš Janáček noted: "I haven't got it bad!" said a 16-year-old well-dressed girl with a sardonic smile. She was walking with a lady and a small girl. © Moravian Museum
Speech melody: On Česká street 8. 9. 1926 Leoš Janáček noted: Dr Bulín when meeting me: "Very good morning to you, maestro! At your service." He interrupted his discussion with some other man, as if he wanted to shake my hand. About 10 am. © Moravian Museum
Speech melody: On Česká street 8. 9. 1926 Leoš Janáček noted: Dr Bulín when meeting me: "Very good morning to you, maestro! At your service." He interrupted his discussion with some other man, as if he wanted to shake my hand. About 10 am. © Moravian Museum
Front cover of the piano score for the opera The Excursions of Mr Brouček by the artist Ladislav Novák
Front cover of the piano score for the opera The Excursions of Mr Brouček by the artist Ladislav Novák