Smetana’s Litomyšl: A Castle Revival Fueled by Passion

The 67th edition of the National Festival Smetana Litomyšl is set to take place this year, celebrating the 21st Smetana Art Litomyšl, the 9th Festival Gardens, and the third year of Smetana Poetic Litomyšl. This festival is inspired by the shared enthusiasm of both performers and organizers. They have selected works filled with emotion that delve into the rich history of music, embracing the romantic era while also offering fresh perspectives on Bedřich Smetana’s compositions and introducing audiences to modern works…

This edition of the festival will, for the first time in two years, return to the second courtyard of Litomyšl State Chateau, showcasing the newly constructed SmetaNOVY hall, designed by Josef Pleskot. This new space adheres to all preservation standards, ensuring it does not touch the historic castle structure, while providing performers with a stage equipped with the latest technology, including an orchestra pit below stage level, resulting in a unique experience for attendees.

Czech Philharmonic, FOK, Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra or Brno Philharmonic

Following the warm reception of the oratorio John of Arc on the Border, Lukáš Vasilek has created a special production for Litomyšl called King David, another remarkable piece by Arthur Honegger. The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra will present three programs, starting with the Opening Concert led by conductor Jakub Hrůša featuring Norwegian violinist Vilde Frang, plus two Czech-French themed performances directed by Tomáš Netopil. In the first program, Alisa Weilerstein will perform the Cello Concerto No. 1 by Camille Saint-Saëns, and in the second, Pierre-Laurent Aimard will tackle Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major. Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances will complement these two series of instrumental concertos.

Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra will feature Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony alongside Dvořák’s Piano Concerto with Lukas Vondráček. The Brno Philharmonic Orchestra, led by conductor Dennis Russell Davies, will play the Mishima Concerto for piano and orchestra by Philip Glass, starring pianist Maki Namekawa, plus Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Symphony in F sharp major. Tomáš Brauner will conduct the Capital City Symphony Orchestra. FOK from Prague, in collaboration with the Jitro Children’s Choir, will perform works by Aaron Copland and John Williams, supported by British composer Gustav Holst’s Planets. The festival will traditionally conclude with a thanksgiving mass featuring Tomas Halík, during which Missa solemnis by the “Czech Beethoven” Jan Václav Voříšek will be performed, followed by the Grand Finale that includes pieces from George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein, conducted by Wayne Marshall with the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra alongside soloists Sonia Godarska and Vojtěch Dyke.

New this year: ballet and dance

This year, Smetana Litomyšl is excited to announce the addition of ballet and dance to its offerings. During two gala evenings, top ballet stars from cities like London, Paris, Munich, Stuttgart, and Prague will be showcasing famous selections from legendary ballets. The National Moravian-Silesian Theatre Ballet will present Carmen, choreographed by Jiří Pokorný, and Šárka, staged by French-Israeli choreographer Léa Bessoudo Greck.

Twenty-seven-year-old dancer and breakdancer Kristian Mensa, better known as Mr. Kriss, will merge his extraordinary movement style with young violinist Daniel Matejča. The theater-music-dance project My Country ~ My Country by Matěj Forman will be staged by Dekkadancers, the Czech Philharmonic, and Marko Ivanović. This exciting performance is part of the Vltava Famous & Navigable project, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Smetana’s Symphonic Poem Vltava.

The best for opera lovers

For opera fans, the National Theatre Brno will showcase Puccini’s Manon Lescaut and, in collaboration with Collegio 1704 and conductor Václav Luks, they will present Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro. The Brno National Theatre Opera Orchestra, led by Tomáš Hanus, will accompany renowned soprano Corinne Winters, who has greatly engaged with Czech works in recent years, and tenor Pavel Černoch. The Prague National Theatre will bring a semi-staged version of Fibich’s Šarka to the audience.

The comic opera Antonio Salieri’s Prima la musica e poi le parole will be performed five times at Nové Hrady Castle, featuring the Barocco Sempre Giovane ensemble and conductor Jakub Kydlíček.

Early music and contemporary songs

The Kremerata Baltica chamber orchestra, under the guidance of conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyly, will play compositions by Mieczysław Weinberg and Dmitri Shostakovich. The Pavel Haas Quartet, alongside cellist Kian Soltani, will perform pieces by Franz Schubert. Exclusively for Litomyšl, bassoonist Václav Vonášek will join forces with top Czech and European brass musicians to present works by Bedřich Smetana and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Pianist Katia Skanavi will showcase significant piano masterpieces from the Baroque era to today on a restored Steinway. The King’s Singers, a male vocal ensemble, will take the audience through five centuries of music in their presentation titled Angels and Demons. Capella Mariana will perform live music during a screening of the silent film St. Wenceslas by Jan Stanislav Kolar, created between 1929 and 1930. American vocalist, lutenist, and guitarist Joel Frederiksen will present a program called Orpheus, I am, featuring sacred and secular Renaissance songs on a nighttime musical journey around the city. The next day, he will perform at the castle’s Baroque Theatre alongside soprano Lucie Strejcova and their guests in a program of Lute Songs by Thomas Campion. A special jazz evening is organized by Ondřej Pivec & Kennedy Administration. Dáša Zázvůrková will perform songs by Hana Hegerova while also launching her new album accompanied by special guests.

Festival gardens: lie down on a blanket, listen to the classics

Boating is not permitted in the Festival Gardens! Instead, you can relax on a comfy sofa bag while enjoying classical music… The accompanying scene will be set up on the lush green lawns near Litomyšl Castle, creating a welcoming space for not only classical music lovers but also families with kids and others who may not yet take music too seriously, providing a perfect environment for summer relaxation.

The accompanying scene in the Festival Gardens has activities for emerging artists and is not limited to classical music. If the weather allows, a large screen will display music programs. On weekends, the offerings include an all-day concert series, theater performances, workshops, and activities for children.

Thanks to the festival’s partners who organize different activities each day, the gardens will be open for visitors throughout the entire festival. A key feature of the Festival Gardens are the plentiful seating bags. These not only provide a cozy spot for attendees but also allow for interactions with notable festival guests.

On weekends and holidays, the Festival Gardens will be a fantastic spot for families with children. Mornings will begin with storytelling sessions, followed by engaging animation programs, interactive board games, and culminating in evening concerts. With the Classics on rehearsal program, audiences can seamlessly transition to the main festival events.

Picnics, outdoor grill and library

You don’t need to bring anything—festival hostesses at the information booth will gladly lend you a blanket, a deckchair, and a seating bag. You can even bring your own book to enjoy. Simply head to the local concession stand, fill your picnic basket with delicious snacks, and settle in for a fantastic time with family or simply to relax. The restaurant located in the garden tent during the festival will be grilling steaks, fish, and vegetables, and you can pop by in the early evening for a glass of wine with a lovely view of the city. On weekends and holidays, there will also be a special musical lunch menu available.