On September 7, Josef Pančík, Chorus Master Emeritus of the Opera of the National Theater Brno, celebrated his 85th birthday.

Josef Pančík joined the State Theater in Brno as choirmaster in 1965. Under his leadership, the choir of the Brno Opera achieved European importance. During his 52 years as a choirmaster, he performed 150 opera titles. Among the most important are the operas of Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Wagner, Bohuslav Martinů, Antonín Dvořák, the complete opera work of Leoš Janáček and Bedřich Smetana. The Choir of the Janáček Opera of the State Theater in Brno also engaged in concert activities, performing oratorios and cantatas by Antonín Dvořák (Requiem, Stabat Mater, Wedding Shirt, St. Ludmila), Leoš Janáček (Glagolská mše, Amarus, Večné evangelium), Giuseppe Verdi (Requiem), Arthur Honegger (Joan of Arc), Hector Berlioz (The Curse of Faust), etc.

Josef Pančík cooperates with the opera of the National Theater Brno to this day.