Smetana Litomyšl festival opens with Czech Philharmonic

The 68th edition of the Smetana Litomyšl National Festival opened on Friday with a gala concert by the Czech Philharmonic conducted by American maestro David Robertson. South Korean pianist Cho Seong-jin, one of the festival’s star guests, received a standing ovation and returned for a five-minute encore after performing Beethoven’s “Emperor” Piano Concerto. Running until July 5, the festival will present more than 50 events, including opera, symphonic and chamber music, dance and cross-disciplinary productions. Highlights include the debut of the London Symphony Orchestra, Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel, and a rare concert performance of Bohuslav Martinů’s opera Mariken de Nimègue.