For more than 30 years the international interdisciplinary SMETANA DAYS FESTIVAL ranks among the most significant cultural events in Pilsen; it represents traditions as well as the certainty that there are still eternal values one can lean on. For lovers of music and art as such, every year the festival brings the true feast of remarkable experience. Top-class performance of outstanding ensembles and eminent performers, both of the domestic as well as international provenience, enable the audience to experience well-known masterpieces in traditional and also perspective – as well as novelties of music dominion. Interdisciplinary character, which saw the very beginning of the festival – as the scientific symposium focused on issues of the Czech culture of the 19th century – remains unchained. Within the cultural context the festival offers rare opportunity, as it interconnects the world of music with the realms of science, philosophy, literature, visual arts, theatre and film. Participation of Pilsen authors and performing artists forms indivisible part of the festival programme.
Citizens and visitors of Pilsen can always enjoy rich and varied programme. Excellent artistic experience comprise, among others, the concert performed by finalists to Smetana Piano Contest accompanied by the Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to the main programme stream the festival offers also interesting accompanying events, and of course, the child audience is not neglected. Mardi Gras which represents intrinsic tradition of Czech early spring, is usually one of the first festival events. We are convinced that programme will offer to the Smetana Days audience and visitors the joy, inspiration and pleasant artistic experience.
In the past the Smetana Days Festival presented, for example, excellent songstresses Dagmar Pecková or Eva Urbanová, Slovak soprano Ľubica Vargicová, violin virtuoso Gabriela Demeterová, our leading pianist Jitka Čechová, harpist Kateřina Englichová or reciter Marek Eben. To name just several ensembles, the festival hosted the world-famous Schola Gregoriana Pragensis, Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno, Prague Chamber Orchestra or MDR Sinfonieorchester Leipzig conducted by Kristjan Järvi. Past years of presented ambitious festival projects – Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass was staged in 2008, year 2009 comprised St. Matthew’s Passion by J. S. Bach and the same year offered also interesting comparison of Mozart and Salieri work, where the Requiems by both composers were performed. The most challenging project involved staging of the monumental Requiem by Giuseppe Verdi in 2010 that provided truly unforgettable music experience for all those present.
Commencing 2013 the SMETANA DAYS Festival is hosted by Plzeňská filharmonie, o. p. s.
CONTACTS
Organiser: Plzeňská filharmonie, o. p. s. (Pilsen philharmonic)
Mgr. Lenka Kavalová – intendant
Address: Náměstí Míru 10, 301 00 Plzeň, Czech republic
Phone: +420 377 423 336
E-mail: info@plzenskafilharmonie.cz
https://www.smetanovskedny.cz/en/, www.plzenskafilharmonie.cz