Hana Hegerová: An immortal voice that still resonates five years on

Known as the queen of chanson, Hana Hegerová captivated audiences with her deeply emotional interpretations and unmistakable voice. Five years after her passing, she remains an unforgettable figure of Czech and Slovak music to whom we have dedicated this Sunday music show.

Hana Hegerová|Photo: Czech Television

“I know that even a tragic event gives us the strength to move on, and that sometimes it can even turn into happiness,” said Hana Hegerová about her life.

On 23 March, it has been five years since the passing of Hana Hegerová, often called the queen of Czech chanson—a singer whose voice carried emotion, depth, and an unmistakable sense of story.

Born as Carmen Mária Štefánia Farkašová in Bratislava in 1931, she became one of the most distinctive figures of Czechoslovak culture. Over a career spanning more than five decades, she recorded over twenty albums, appeared in numerous films, and performed thousands of concerts. Yet numbers alone cannot capture her legacy. What truly set her apart was her extraordinary ability to interpret a song—not just to sing it, but to live it.

Edith Piaf of Prague

Critics abroad called her “Edith Piaf of Prague,” a comparison that emerged after her performances at the legendary Olympia in Paris in 1967 and 1968. These appearances brought her international recognition and confirmed her place among Europe’s great chanson performers. She also represented Czechoslovakia at the World Expo in Montreal and regularly performed in German-speaking countries, where her records were released and her television appearances drew wide audiences.

Hana Hegerová|Photo: Czech Television

At home, she became a beloved figure, consistently ranking among the top performers in the Zlatý slavík poll during the 1970s. Her collaborations played a key role in shaping her artistic identity. She worked closely with composer Petr Hapka and lyricist Michal Horáček, as well as with writers like Pavel Kopta, whose texts she transformed into deeply emotional performances.

For many years, she was accompanied by pianist and composer Milan Dvořák, and later by Petr Malásek, with whom she performed around 2,500 concerts. Their musical partnership became one of the defining elements of her later career.

Curious artist till the end

Hana Hegerová|Photo: Petra Čechová, Czech Radio

Even after decades on stage, Hana Hegerová never lost her artistic curiosity. In 2010, she released what would become her final album, Mlýnské kolo v srdci mém. It came 23 years after her previous record, yet it felt anything but nostalgic. Instead of looking back, the album explored a wide range of themes—from relationships between men and women to new musical forms. It included a duet with Jaromír Nohavica and even elements of beatbox. The album became one of the best-selling records of the year and was widely praised by critics.

Her contribution to culture was recognized both at home and abroad. She received numerous honors, including the Medal of Merit from Václav Havel, the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk from Miloš Zeman, and high state decorations from Slovakia. France awarded her the Order of Arts and Letters, acknowledging her role in promoting French chanson and culture.

Five years after her passing, her recordings continue to resonate. They remind us that music can carry not only melody, but meaning—and that a truly great artist never really leaves us.