Water and Fire
The unique musical performance returns to the banks of the castle lake after more than two decades. The last time you could enjoy this exceptional experience during the festival was in 1995. During the 31st edition of the International Music Festival Český Krumlov, you can once again enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the garden and the lake. The South Czech Philharmonic under the baton of conductor Vojtěch Spurný will perform Handel’s Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks on the island.
Georg Fridrich Handel, a great personality of the Baroque era, worked at the English royal court, and the kings were the ones who commissioned the composers to compose music for open-air productions. Water Music thus accompanied the festivities on the River Thames, organized by King George I, and Music for Royal Fireworks celebrated the end of the war for Austrian heritage at the time of King George II. Together with the natural scenery, these magnificent works will offer a truly unconventional experience.
Dress code: formal
The concert is in a natural setting, so we recommend choosing comfortable, elegant footwear and avoiding stiletto heels. Additionally, please, give yourself sufficient time for your arrival at the concert venue, which is located approximately a 15 min walk from the parking (P4- Chateau Garden) by the Markéta Tavern.
Artists
South Czech Philharmonic
Vojtěch Spurný – conductor
Jiří Vejvoda – moderator
Program
G. F. Handel: Water music – suite No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, HWV 348-350
Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351
South Czech Philharmonic
South Czech Philharmonic was created in the year 1981 under its original name South Bohemian State Orchestra. At present it consist of 39 members and it is the only professional philharmonic in South Bohemia. The repertoire of the orchestra is mostly based on the interpretation of the music from the age of classicism. The dramaturgy of the concert seasons is however very varied and includes music from the baroque period until modern times. More and more often the philharmonic also includes into its concert plans even more extensive symphonic works and vocally instrumental pieces.
Vojtěch Spurný – conductor
Vojtěch Spurný , a leading Czech conductor, pianist, historical keyboard player and pedagogue, first studied piano and flute at the Prague Conservatory, later opera directing, conducting and harpsichord at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. He further studied the interpretation of early music and harpsichord at the Hoogeschool voor de Kunsten in Utrecht.
As an opera conductor, he has collaborated with the Baroque Drottningholm Palace Theater, the J. K. Tyl Theater in Pilsen, the Gothenburg Opera, the Oslo Opera House, the Staatstheater Hannover, the Prague Chamber Opera, and the National Theater. In the years 1999-2004 he was the permanent conductor of the Prague State Opera and in the 2002-2003 season he held the position of artistic director of the opera. In 2015-2018 he was the chief conductor of the Bohuslav Martinů Zlín Philharmonic. He is currently the artistic director of the Silesian Theater in Opava and a permanent guest conductor of the South Czech Philharmonic.
Pond in the Castle Garden
Music returns to the island in the castle after a quarter of a century. The last time you could experience this unique concert was during the festival in 1995, that is a quarter of a century ago. The pond is located at the end of the castle garden, which invites you to take a walk in the avenues of limes. […]
