Český Krumlov international music festival gets underway

The 32nd International Music Festival opened on Friday in the south Bohemian town of Český Krumlov with a concert in the castle garden entitled French night, featuring Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and pianist Alexander Melnikov.

The festival programme, which will run until August 5, includes 18 concerts at 12 venues around the town and its surroundings. Among the stars to appear at the event are violinists Charles Guzman and Josef Špaček, as well as Broadway soloists Nikki Renée Daniels and Jeff Kready.

In addition to commemorating the 210th anniversary of the birth of Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner, the festival will close with a performance of Carmina Burana, a cantata by Carl Orff, performed by the Czech Philharmonic Choir Brno.