Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra Opens the 81st Prague Spring Festival and Celebrates 100 Years
Under the baton of Petr Popelka, the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra will open the 81st edition of the Prague Spring International Music Festival on 12 May in the Smetana Hall of the Municipal House with Bedřich Smetana’s symphonic cycle Má vlast.
The opening concert will also serve as a significant celebration of the orchestra’s 100th anniversary and mark Petr Popelka’s final appearance as the ensemble’s Chief Conductor and Artistic Director.
“Opening the Prague Spring Festival with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra is an immense joy for me,” said Petr Popelka in the festival’s press release issued on 4 November.
The Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra is a long-time participant in the festival, regularly presenting key works of the 20th century as well as pieces by Czech composers. The orchestra has performed Má vlast eleven times in its history — first in 1950 and most recently in 2009.
The opening concert will take place on 12 May and will be broadcast as part of the Prague Spring ČEZ Open Air event. The same programme can also be heard at the Opening Concert II, scheduled for 13 May, again in the Municipal House.
Find out more about the Prague Spring Festival programme here.
