Wednesday sees the opening of the 50th Smetanaâs LitomyÅ¡l International Opera Festival.
During the annual event, composer BedÅich Smetanaâs home town in east Bohemia is transformed into a paradise for music lovers, and not only opera buffs â Smetanaâs LitomyÅ¡l also takes in various other musical forms.
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âItâs an anniversary which deserves to be celebrated. Our programme might seem a bit popular to some, but thatâs because we have selected pieces which people really like and which they will enjoy hearing in concert. Also there is a rich accompanying programme this year â weâve published a book looking at 50 years of the festival, and made a documentary film, which has been on TV and will be available on DVD.â
A new production of the Bartered Bride opens this yearâs festival at LitomyÅ¡l State Castle on Wednesday night. It will later move to Pragueâs National Theatre, which has a long history of association with Smetanaâs LitomyÅ¡l. In fact, it was heavily involved with the very first festival in 1949. National Theatre head OndÅej Äerný:
âThe historical connection is very long and very deep. The National Theatre was from the beginning one of the biggest partners of Smetanova LitomyÅ¡l and has continually made this collaboration.
âWe are very glad that the last three years we have had Smetanaâs operas on the first nights of Smetanova LitomyÅ¡l. Just now we are glad to have the first first night of the Bartered Bride at Smetanova LitomyÅ¡l.
âI hope that this new production â which should come from Smetanaâs time in terms of folkloristic topics and folkloristic elements â will be a real event, not only of Smetanova LitomyÅ¡l but in opera in the Czech Republic.â
The 50th Smetanaâs LitomyÅ¡l runs until July 5. Organisers say they expect virtually every concert to sell out completely.
(radio-Prague)
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