RockOpera Praha

What RockOpera Praha does

RockOpera Praha is the only Czech theater entirely dedicated to original rock operas, founded in 2006 by composer Milan Steigerwald and librettist Pavla Forest, who remain the sole authors of all productions. The company operates a single 800-seat amphitheater-style venue in Prague's Holešovice district (Prague Market, hall no. 10) featuring a hydraulic stage, and produces a repertoire of 15+ original rock operas spanning Greek tragedies (Antigone, Oedipus Tyranus), literary adaptations (Frankenstein, Anna Karenina, Romeo & Juliet, The Little Prince, Faust), original mythic works (Lilith: Mother of Demons, Ragnarock: The Vikings, Bardo Thödol), and horror operas (The Exorcist, Frankenstein). Each production combines live rock/metal music, symphonic arrangements, multimedia projections, aerial acrobatics, fire dancers, and notable Czech vocal performers.

The company generates revenue through multiple streams: ticket sales (primary, via box office and Colosseum online portal), e-commerce merchandise (CDs, DVDs, vinyl, apparel, mugs, posters via shop.rockopera.cz), Rock Academy education (Saturday master classes at 2,750 CZK/semester and individual lessons), venue rental for corporate events, recording studio services, and streaming via Vimeo ($2-$4 per title). Go-to-market is primarily event-driven and direct-to-consumer, with a focus on the Czech market supplemented by international visitors attracted through the multilingual website (6 languages). The customer base is horizontally segmented across rock music enthusiasts, theatre lovers, aspiring artists, families, and corporate event clients.

The business is founder-owned and operated through the legal entity Divadlo ROCKOPERA s.r.o., with Milan Steigerwald serving as artistic director and Pavla Forest as executive director. The company supports a fan club (Lid Thébský), conducts PR through a dedicated team, and distributes via Colosseum (ticketing), Eshop-rychle.cz (e-commerce), and Vimeo (streaming). Production cadence is approximately one new opera launch per year, with DVD and reissue releases leveraging the back catalog.

Name

RockOpera Praha

Legal name

Divadlo ROCKOPERA s.r.o.

Website

https://rockopera.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RockOpera Praha is a Prague-based private theater producing original rock operas, serving Czech and international audiences through live performances, multimedia productions, and a 15-plus title repertoire created by founders Milan Steigerwald and Pavla Forest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Theatre & Performing Arts

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Theater, Musicals & Performing Arts (THAJAFAB), Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC), Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)

Keywords

• Rock opera performances
• Live theatre productions
• Performing arts venue
• Music education classes
• Theatrical merchandise sales

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream from ticket sales for live rock opera performances. The theatre hall accommodates nearly 800 spectators. Tickets are sold online via Colosseum portal and at the theatre box office on performance days from 1 PM.
2. E-commerce Merchandise: Online shop selling merchandise including CDs, DVDs, vinyl records, t-shirts, mugs, posters, programs, stickers, badges, calendars, mystery boxes, gift vouchers, and signature cards. Products span across all rock opera titles.
3. Rock Academy Education: Master classes every Saturday covering singing, acting, movement workshops, and musical instrument instruction. Additional individual lessons with Pavla Forest and other instructors. Preparation courses for admissions to artistic schools.
4. Venue Rental: Rental of the theatre space for events, corporate functions, and external productions. The facility is also used for RockOpera Nights cultural events.
5. Recording Studio Services: Recording studio services for internal productions and external clients, producing CDs and DVDs of performances available for sale and streaming.
6. Performance Streaming: Recorded performances streamed via Vimeo platform (Vymítač at $4 per stream, Bardo Thödol, Oidipus Tyranus free via Czech Television), and DVD sales of recorded productions.
7. Gift Vouchers: Gift vouchers (Dárkové poukazy) sold with a validity of one year from purchase date, accepted as payment for tickets and merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

RockOpera Praha stages original rock operas combining live rock music, dramatic storytelling, aerial acrobatics, fire effects, and multimedia projections on a hydraulic stage within an ~800-seat amphitheatre-style hall in Prague. All productions are original works composed by Milan Steigerwald and written by Pavla Forest. The company also operates the Rock Academy (Saturday master classes and individual lessons in singing, acting, and music), the Sing With Me online video singing school, a recording studio, performance recordings (DVDs/CDs) sold via e-shop and Vimeo, and venue rental services.

Product overview

RockOpera Praha is the only Czech theater dedicated exclusively to original rock operas, founded in 2006 by composer Milan Steigerwald and librettist Pavla Forest. The product portfolio centers on live rock opera performances featuring original Czech productions combining sophisticated rock music, acrobatic visual shows, and dramatic theatrical elements. The core offering consists of approximately 17 distinct rock operas spanning classical adaptations (Greek tragedies like Antigone and Oedipus Tyranus, literary works like Frankenstein, Anna Karenina, and Romeo & Juliet), original mythic works (Lilith: Mother of Demons, Ragnarock: The Vikings), and horror operas (The Exorcist, Frankenstein). Supporting products include the Rock Academy offering master courses and individual lessons in singing and music; the Sing With Me online video singing school; professional recording studio facilities; venue rental services; and the RockOpera Shop selling merchandise including T-shirts, mugs, DVDs/CDs, and other branded items. The theater operates from a transformed industrial hall in Prague's Holešovice district with approximately 800 seating capacity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rock Academy: Master's courses offering instruction in singing, movement, musical instrument playing, and visual arts for beginning and advanced artists as well as the general public.
• Sing With Me
• RockOpera Shop

Products and services

• Live Rock Opera Performances Live theatrical rock opera performances featuring original Czech productions combining sophisticated rock music, acrobatic visual shows, vocalists, and a live band. Held in an amphitheatre-style hall seating ~800 spectators with a hydraulic stage. Targeted at general public, rock music enthusiasts, and theatre lovers.
• Rock Academy (Rocková akademie) Saturday master classes and individual lessons in singing, acting, movement, and musical instruments. Group semester courses (2,750 CZK per semester for 5 Saturdays) and individual lessons (800-1,000 CZK/hour). Includes preparation courses for artistic school admissions. Targeted at aspiring artists, students, and the general public.
• Sing With Me (Videoškola zpěvu) Online on-demand video singing school led by executive director Pavla Forest, covering breathing techniques, diaphragm function, and vocal interpretation. Available via Vimeo at $2 per video lesson. Targeted at amateur and professional singers.
• Recording Studio Professional recording studio facilities (Steepforest Studio Břežany II referenced) used to produce CDs and DVDs of RockOpera performances, with services also offered to external clients.
• Venue Rental Rental of the industrial hall theatre venue for events, corporate functions, private celebrations, and external productions. Targeted at corporate clients, event organizers, and private groups.
• Performance Recordings (DVD/CD) Recorded rock opera performances available as physical DVDs and CDs sold through the e-shop, plus streaming via Vimeo On Demand at $2-$4 per title. Targeted at fans, collectors, and international audiences.
• RockOpera Shop (Merchandise) Direct-to-consumer e-commerce store selling branded merchandise including t-shirts, mugs, calendars, posters, stickers, vinyl/CD/DVD recordings, badges, mystery boxes, and gift vouchers related to RockOpera productions. Free shipping available.
• Frankenstein (Rock Opera Production) Original horror rock opera based on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, focusing on synthesis of metal and electronic music. Currently in active repertoire. DVD released 2023.
• The Exorcist (Vymítač) (Rock Opera Production) Original horror rock opera about unrequited love and nightmarish rituals; first horror opera in RockOpera's history. DVD released 2020. Two theatre premieres in 2018 attended by ~1,600 audience members.
• Troy (Rock Opera Production) Original rock opera based on the Trojan War legend, combining desert music and metal. Currently in active repertoire.
• Maria Madonna (Rock Opera Production) Original rock opera about the Virgin Mary and the life of Jesus, blending Gregorian chant with rock and metal music. Currently in active repertoire.
• Antigone (Rock Opera Production) Original rock opera adaptation of Sophocles' Greek tragedy Antigone; part of the classical tragedy trilogy in RockOpera's repertoire.
• Oedipus Tyranus (Rock Opera Production) Original rock opera adaptation of Sophocles' Greek tragedy on the inevitability of human fate. Recording broadcast by Czech Television for national distribution.
• Faust (Rock Opera Production) Original rock opera adaptation of Goethe's Faust. Currently in active repertoire.
• Romeo and Juliet (Rock Opera Production) Original rock opera adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. One of the longer productions at approximately 3 hours 15 minutes.
• Anna Karenina (Rock Opera Production) Original rock opera adaptation of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. Currently in active repertoire.
• Bardo Thödol (Rock Opera Production) Original symphonic-rock opera inspired by the Tibetan Book of the Dead. DVD+CD bundle sold through e-shop; CD 'The Soul of The New Man' released 2015.
• The Little Prince (Rock Opera Production) Original rock opera adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince. Shorter format at approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
• Ragnarock: The Vikings (Rock Opera Production) Original mythic rock opera about the Vikings, combining rock music with theatrical spectacle. Currently in active repertoire.
• Lilith: Mother of Demons (Rock Opera Production) Original mythic rock opera about Lilith, combining rock music and theatrical elements. Currently in active repertoire.
• Maria Madonna (Rock Opera Production) Original rock opera about the Virgin Mary and the life of Jesus, blending Gregorian chant with rock and metal music. Currently in active repertoire.
• King Size RockOpera (Production) Extended-format rock opera production combining multiple operas or longer performance run. Currently in active repertoire.
• Struggle for Power (Boj o moc) (Rock Opera Production) Original gangster epic rock opera set in 1920s Birmingham, also known as Gangs of Rock. Currently in active repertoire.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 1,600 audience members attended the two theatre premieres of The Exorcist (Vymítač) in 2018.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Teatr Novogo FrontaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Referenced in context of director/choreographer Irina Andreeva (deceased 2024), who was known for her work with the theatre group Teatr Novogo Fronta before joining RockOpera Praha.
• Prague Market (Holešovická tržnice)coreOthersThe theatre venue is located within the Prague Market complex, hall no. 10. This is the physical location of RockOpera's main performance space.
• Perfect System s.r.o.coreTechnology or IntegrationTicketing software provider powering the online reservation system and ticket sales through the Colosseum platform. Also processes personal data for ticket purchases under their own privacy policy.
• Czech Television (Česká televize)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOidipus Tyranus rock opera was broadcast by Czech Television. This distribution partnership extends reach beyond live audiences to national television viewers.
• Buršíři (Historical and Scenic Fencers Group)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical and scenic fencing group appearing in the Troy production. Represents a specialized artistic collaboration for stage combat and historical authenticity in productions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Jesus Christ Superstar (the touring rock opera): The Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice rock opera, frequently revived in touring productions worldwide. The canonical rock opera that established the genre, directly comparable to RockOpera Praha's product format of staging rock music as dramatic narrative theater.
• Rock of Ages - The Musical: Broadway and West End jukebox musical using classic rock hits in a theatrical narrative format. Comparable to RockOpera Praha as a production company staging theatrical performances built around rock music catalogs, though using existing rock songs rather than original rock opera compositions.
• Blue Man Group: American theatrical entertainment company producing original live performance shows combining music, visual art, and theatrical staging in dedicated/permanent venues with multiple revenue streams (tickets, merchandise, education). Direct peer to RockOpera Praha in the original live theatrical production company model.
• Trans-Siberian Orchestra: American rock band producing progressive rock opera-style concert productions with theatrical staging, lighting effects, and narrative rock song cycles. Direct peer in the dedicated rock opera/progressive rock theatrical space, operating a touring model with annual productions.
• Bat Out of Hell - The Musical: Jim Steinman's rock musical based on Meat Loaf's album, a touring production blending rock music with theatrical storytelling. Direct peer to RockOpera Praha as a rock-based theatrical production company, though operating as a touring licensed production rather than a permanent venue.
• Mamma Mia (the musical): Long-running global musical built around pop/rock catalog music in theatrical narrative form, operating as a global touring/licensed production. Comparable to RockOpera Praha in the rock/pop theatrical production format, though using existing hit songs rather than original compositions and operating at vastly larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Cirque du Soleil: Cirque du Soleil is a global theatrical live entertainment company producing original acrobatic and musical shows in dedicated venues and touring formats. Comparable to RockOpera Praha in being a creator-producer of original theatrical spectacles combining live music, acrobatics, and immersive staging for ticketed audiences, though at vastly larger scale.

Emerging players

• Sleep No More (Punchdrunk): British immersive theater company producing site-specific theatrical experiences that break conventional stage-audience separation. Comparable to RockOpera Praha's amphitheatre format that surrounds audiences with the action, though Punchdrunk operates at much larger scale and on a different theatrical genre.
• Laibach: Slovenian avant-garde band combining industrial rock with theatrical and operatic performance elements, including staged conceptual rock performances and multimedia presentations. Direct creative peer to RockOpera Praha's theatrical rock opera concept, though operating as a touring band rather than a permanent venue company.

Regional players

• Národní divadlo (National Theatre Prague): Czech Republic's national theatre, the dominant producer of traditional theatrical, operatic, and dramatic performances in Prague. Regional peer to RockOpera Praha in the Prague live theatrical market, but focused on classical/traditional repertoire rather than original rock opera.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RockOpera_Praha
• Facebookfacebook.com/rockopera.cz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rockopera-praha

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RockOpera Praha