The commemorative silver coin issued by the Czech National Bank and designed by the winner of an anonymous competition, Vojtěch Dostál, DiS., to mark the centennial of the birth of Beno Blachut.

Tenorist Beno Blachut was one of the leading Czech opera singers. He grew up in modest conditions in Vítkovice, Moravia, where he worked in a steel factory. He turned to singing after he was laid off. Blachut started to sing in church choirs and in the 1930s he graduated from the Prague Conservatory. His first engagement was at the Olomouc Theatre where he sang the part of Jeník in Bedřich Smetana’s opera The Bartered Bride. In 1941, Blachut became a member of the National Theatre in Prague where he performed until his death in 1985. He is buried at the Prague Vyšehrad cemetery next to Antonín Dvořák. During his lifetime, Beno Blachut became the recipient of honorary titles State Award Laureate, Merited Artist and National Artist.
The obverse side of the coin shows its denomination CZK 500 and the singer’s silhouette filled with the names of operas in which he performed. The reverse side features Beno Blachut’s portrait and a circumscription of his name and dates of birth and death.
A green colour catalogue card is supplied with each coin comprising a description of the coin and its three-dimensional depiction.
Limited edition 6.600 pcs.