Prague, eternal music capital

In the magnificent city of Prague, music seems to emanate from every open window. Considered the conservatory of Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Czech capital saw many musical talents grow and prosper over time. Thanks to the historian of art guide Gabriella, I discovered the musical world in Prague:

Prague, musical city with rich historic heritage

If Prague is considered the adopted country of Mozart (who wrote his Symphony No. 38 and directed Don Giovanni), we will also remember his predecessor, Josef Mysliveček (his nickname was “the divine bohemian”) whose work greatly influenced the young prodigy. Prague is also the birthplace of many other brilliant Czech composers including Antonín Dvořák, Leoš Janáček (19th century to the early 20th), and Bohuslav Martinů (20th century).

In the 20th century, following to the German occupation of Prague then several decades of communist rule, music as a means of expression and protest became even more important.

Today, classical music dominates in Prague but jazz and rock are also very present, and overflowing cafes, clubs and various unusual places.

Music accessible in every corner of Prague

Today, Prague hosts six to eight concerts a day in multiple musical places. Churches, palaces, opera, ballet, orchestral and contemporary music houses: there is plenty of choice to satisfy your ears. Prague has three opera houses ; the oldest of the Estate Theatre, built in 1770, hosted the premiere of Mozart’s Don Giovanni and hosts today classics such as Mozart’s Requiem, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony or Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.

The Dvořák Hall and Smetana Hall (names of two famous Czech composers, Antonin Dvorak and Bedřich Smetana) host mainly symphonic concerts.

Tickets for these concerts and musical performances are very affordable and you can usually buy them at the last minute. Also, it is not necessary to have a specific dress code because the atmosphere is always relaxed.

The Spring Festival of Prague, a magical musical event

May 12th of each year, death day of the famous composer Smetana, Prague hosts a music festival during which, concerts of all styles resound in the Czech capital for two weeks. The ideal time to visit the city and soak up its energy.

Unless you’d rather wait for the International Jazz Festival in October…?