Page 222 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Prague

220  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Music and Sports

Prague may not match the vibrancy of Vienna or Budapest, of St James (see p67); the
but it certainly can hold its own among Europe’s leading Church of St Giles (see p77);
cultural destinations. During the holiday season, concerts the Church of St Nicholas (see
of classical and Baroque music are held in churches and pp128–9) in the Little Quarter;
the Church of St Nicholas (see
palaces around the city. Another great attraction for music p72) in the Old Town; the Church
lovers are Prague’s music festivials (see pp52–4). of St Francis in Knights of the
Sports fans are well served too, with top-class ice hockey Cross Square (see p81); St Vitus’s
and Champions League football. Cathedral (see pp102–105) and
St George’s Basilica (see p100).
Other important venues are the
Opera
less a personality than Antonín Lobkowicz Palace (see p101)
Since Richard Wagner’s The Dvořák, whose name the and the Sternberg Palace (see
Mastersingers of Nurnburg Rudolfinum’s grand hall now pp112–13). It’s worth checking
officially opened Prague’s State carries. Finding immediate the listings magazines (pp224–5)
Opera House on 5 January 1888, success with the public in Prague for the specific dates and
Prague has been a centre of and abroad (the Philharmonic timings of concerts.
operatic excellence. Today, two travelled to London on tour as
highly competitive world­class early as 1902), the orchestra is
opera companies give opera today recognized by music lovers World Music
top billing on Prague’s cultural as one of the finest in the world. A small number of clubs and
calendar. And while the low The post of chief conductor bars in Prague offer ethnic music.
Soviet­era prices of yore are of the CPO is one of the most The Palác Akropolis hosts
now long gone, top­price seats revered appointments in classical diverse performances daily in
range from Kč1,000 to 1,200, music; currently the post is filled an atmospheric, converted
which makes opera in Prague by Jiří Bělohlávek. Almost all 1920s­theatre building. The
more accessible than most contemporary Czech music, Akropolis has hosted the likes
cities in Europe. including the celebrated 2000 of Ani Difranco, Apollo 440
The two major companies, the work Requiem by Milan Slavický, and Transglobal Underground.
National and the State, both premiered at the Rudolfinum. Concerts of all kinds of music
perform exclusively in their The programme is varied, are held at the National House
own theatres – the National however, and the works of of Vinohrady on a variety of
Opera Company in the National Czech composers share the occasions. Some of the better
Theatre (see pp156–7); the State limelight with those of their jazz clubs (see pp208–209)
Opera Company at the Prague foreign counterparts. also feature world musicians
State Opera. The latter presents Besides the Rudolfinum, the and bands on a regular basis.
a predominantly classical Italian main concert venue for classical Another place worth checking
repertoire, always in the orginal music is the Smetana Hall, found out is La Bodequita del Medio,
language, and performances in the Municipal House (see a Cuban restaurant that features
are always popular. Tickets p66). Other permanent concert Cuban performers some week­
should be bought in advance. halls include the Atrium in end evenings.
The National Opera Company Žižkov, a converted chapel, the
has a more experimental Clementinum and the imposing
repertoire, and most of its Congress Centre Prague. With Sports
operas are performed in Czech. 20 halls and 50 rooms, as well Czechs are crazy about most
To view a Czech opera, by as exhibition space covering sports, and given their habit of
Czech composers such as 13,000 sq m (140,000 sq ft), winning international competi­
Smetana or Dvořák, the National the Congress Centre can host tions in any number of events on
Theatre is your best opportunity. all kinds of events, with up to a regular basis, it is not surprising.
A branch of the National Theatre, 9,300 participants and visitors. The biggest spectator sports are
the Estates Theatre (see p219), ice hockey and football, in that
performs mainly classical, Italian Music in Churches order of importance.
operas in the original language. The main Czech ice hockey
and Palaces
league is the best in Europe
Concerts performed in the after the Russian league (KHL),
Classical Music
numerous churches and palaces and both US NHL and KHL
The Czech Philharmonic around Prague are extremely rosters are filled with Czech
Orchestra (CPO) has been based popular. Many of these build­ players. Prague has two teams
at the magnificent Rudolfinum ings are normally closed to the in the top division, Sparta and
(see p86) since giving its first public, so this is the only chance Slavia. Sparta plays its home
concert there in January 1896, to see them from inside. Major games at the Tipsport Arena,
when it was conducted by no churches include the Basilica where tickets cost from Kč80

220-221_EW_Prague.indd 220 22/03/2017 12:30
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Date 13th August 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm