Programme

There are probably very few people in the world who have heard all of Antonín Dvořák’s surviving works. But thanks to the exclusive Dvořák Collection series, anyone who regularly attends the Dvořák Prague Festival has the chance to achieve just that. The festival has already presented his complete symphonies, vocal works with orchestra, piano compositions, and a wealth of chamber music. This year, we continue our journey into intimate musical realms with perhaps the most delicate and personal project yet: a complete performance of Dvořák’s songs and duets. Songs have the power to capture the soul—of an individual, a community, or even humanity as a whole. In classical music, the genre was long overshadowed, regarded as a lesser form until the time of Beethoven and Schubert. By Dvořák’s era, however, it had been recognised as an inspiration drawn from sources once considered less refined. And yet, its directness, clarity, and emotional depth speak straight to the heart. This year’s song repertoire is curated by the exceptional soprano Kateřina Kněžíková, whose artistry unites voice and emotion at the highest level. And while Antonín Dvořák is undoubtedly the most famous Czech composer, that does not mean his entire body of work is widely known. The Dvořák Prague Festival not only proudly bears his name—it also embraces the honourable mission of preserving and celebrating his complete legacy.