Smetana’s Litomyšl music festival gets underway

The 62nd annual Smetana’s Litomyšl music festival, focusing on opera and instrumental music, gets underway in the east Bohemian town on Thursday evening.

The opening concert will present a selection of Bedřich Smetana’s work, from the symphonic poem Moldau to duets and arias from his most famous operas.

The main festival centre is the Renaissance chateau in Litomyšl, which is the birthplace of Bedřich Smetana.

Among the musicians to perform at this year’s event, which runs until July 12, is Czech pianist Ivo Kahánek and horn player and conductor Radek Baborák.