Prominent music ensembles
Between 20th August and 4th September, sixteen concerts will present prominent world orchestras, such as Dresden Philharmonic, Austrian Camerata Salzburg Hagen Quartet, Quatuor Ebéne and Czech Kvarteto Pavel Haase Quartet which has been celebrating much success in recent years. Detailed information including the programme can be found at the festival’s website.
Tickets almost sold out
About 70 percent of tickets were already sold out a few days ahead of the festival with some of the concerts being completely sold out. Last year’s novelty, the Youth Club, offering tickets for CZK 99, proved a great success. Students who buy the tickets sit wherever they find a vacant seat. Very often it happens that the members of young audience manage to secure one of the best seats.
Number of visitors on increase
Last year the festival was visited by 14 thousand people, twenty percent up from the first year. For this year the organisers expect another increase. A significant part of the concerts will be performed in the Rudolfinum, while the beautiful hall of Czech Museum of Music in Karmelitska Street will see two concerts.
Dvořák pulls
The festival will feature 12 compositions by Antonín Dvořák, who is probably the most favourite Czech composer abroad. Audience will be able to enjoy for example the Symphony n. 6, 7 and 9, symphonic poem The Noon Witch (Polednice) or Husitská dramatic overture. Apart form that, this year the event commemorates the 200th birth anniversary of Frédéric Chopin. His work will be performed by Maria Joao Pireso on 22nd August.
Prize for Ivan Moravec
Antonín Dvořák Prize, last year awarded to Josef Suk for promoting Czech music, will this year go to the world renowned Czech pianist Ivan Moravec. On 19th August, Antonín Dvořák and Bedřich Smetana’s names will be added to the path of fame on Mánes Bridge.
Awkward tribute to Dvořák
It is significant that the White Lion House in Žitna Street, where Antonín Dvořák lived for 25 years, became a cultural monument this year. Antonín Dvořák Society asked it to be declared a cultural monument to prevent future devastation of this private building. A private company afterwards announced that it will put the house in order in two years time.