opera

“My Prague people understand me,” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart exclaimed in 1787, delighted by the enthusiasm of the Prague audience at the premiere of his opera The Marriage of Figaro. It is said that the whole of Prague was singing and whistling arias from Figaro at that time. In gratitude, Mozart composed the opera Don Giovanni for Prague and personally conducted its world premiere at the Estates Theatre. The opera has been performed there continuously for the past 237 years. Prague simply loves opera. With four opera houses and 325 opera performances a year, we can proudly call Prague an enthusiastic opera powerhouse. Just as world masters have left their mark on Prague, Czech masters have left their mark on the world. The beautiful Symphony No. 9 in E minor by Antonín Dvořák accompanied American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on their first steps on the moon. And when you land in Prague, it is very likely that you will be greeted on board the plane by the sounds of the symphonic poem Vltava (The Moldau) by composer Bedřich Smetana, which always stirs the heart of every Czech person. And maybe yours, too.