The 18ᵗʰ Edition of the Dvořák Prague International Music Festival Has Begun

The 18ᵗʰ edition of the festival began on 5 September at 20:00 in the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum with Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor. The performance was conducted by Alain Altinoglu, it was given by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, and featuring the world renowned cellist and virtuoso Gautier Capuçon as soloist. The opening evening also included the iconic New World Symphony, one of Dvořák’s most frequently performed works. This beautiful concert was broadcast live on ČT art.

Running from 5 to 23 September 2025, the festival will present a series of major concerts featuring top soloists, conductors, and orchestras. Over nineteen days, the programme will offer 37 concerts and events across nine thematic series.

The nearly sold out Dvořák Collection will focus on Dvořák’s songs under the curatorship of soprano Kateřina Kněžíková this year. The For the Future programme, which provides a platform for young orchestras, will welcome an international ensemble: the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, for the first time. The No Tie series is a new addition to the festival and aims to present classical music in an informal way, with an emphasis on humour and cross genre overlaps.

“We are delighted by the audience’s interest in the new No Tie series, in which we present classical music with levity, humour, and influences from other genres – some bordering on performance art,” says Jan Simon, Director of the Dvořák Prague Festival.

The festival will once again host the finals of the Concertino Praga competition, which has been expanded to two categories this year: Wind Instruments and Keyboard, and String Instruments. This competition which supports young talents, has been long supported by the KKFF.

The Czech Philharmonic remains the festival’s resident orchestra. Other notable international guests include one of the world’s leading orchestras, the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden with Chief Conductor Daniele Gatti, and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe with Sir András Schiff as both soloist and conductor.

The festival will conclude on 23 September with a performance by the Orchestre National de France under the baton of Cristian Măcelaru.

Learn more on the festival’s official website: dvorakovapraha.cz.