PERFORMING ARTS VENUES
1. State Opera
Set at the top of Wenceslas Square next to the National Museum is the Státní opera. Originally known as the New German Theatre, it was built to rival the National Theatre. It offers a repertoire heavy on Italian and Viennese favourites.
Graceful exterior of the State opera
2. Divadlo Archa
Na Poříčí 26 • www.divadloarcha.cz
The premiere venue for avant-garde theatre in Prague, Divadlo Archa has hosted artists such as David Byrne and Compagnie Pál Frenák.
3. Hybernia
Náměstí Republiky 4 • www.hybernia.eu
Housed in a former monastery, this musical theatre opened in 2006 with the musical Golem. It hosts a range of cultural events.
4. Ponec
Husitská 24a, Žižkov • www.divadloponec.cz
This contemporary dance and movement theatre space, opened in 2001, has all aspects covered, from top international dance acts to workshops for young talent.
5. Smetana Hall
Náměstí Republiky 5 • 222 002336 • www.fok.cz
The glorious Art Nouveau Smetana Hall at the Municipal House is home to the Prague Symphony Orchestra (Fok). The spring music festival traditionally opens here with Smetana’s Má vlast.
6. National Theatre
The Národní divadlo curtain first went up for Smetana’s Libuše in 1883; you can still see this or other Czech operas on the same stage. Go to a performance to appreciate the artistic work that went into creating the theatre.
7. The New Stage
Národní třída 4 • www.narodni-divadlo.cz
A variety of themes involving dance, music, pantomime, black light and multimedia projections are used by the actors of Laterna Magika to bring alive stories on the stage.
Performance by the artists of Laterna Magika at the New Stage
8. Estates Theatre
Ovocný trh 1 • www.narodni-divadlo.cz
Stavovské divadlo is well known as the venue where Mozart’s Don Giovanni saw its first performance. It was also the first Czech-language playhouse in what was then a largely German-speaking city. The productions occasionally leave something to be desired, but if you don’t see the Don here, then where?
The 18th-century Estates Theatre
9. Rudolfinum
Alšovo nábřeží 12 • www.rudolfinum.cz
The Rudolfinum is home to the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. Between 1918 and 1939, and for a brief period after World War II, the Rudolfinum was the seat of the Czechoslovak Parliament.
10. National Marionette Theatre
Žatecká 1 • www.mozart.cz
The National Theatre’s puppet stage represents the pinnacle of this much-loved genre, staging wonderful productions of Czech fairy tales and other child-pleasing shows (in Czech). They have the best Beatles tribute in town and a marionette version of Don Giovanni.
TOP 10 CHURCHES FOR MUSIC RECITALS
1 St Kajetan Church
Nerudova 22
This magnificent church regularly holds concerts of Bach, Mozart or Brahms.
St Nicholas Cathedral, Old Town
2 St Agnes of Bohemia Convent
This medieval convent regularly holds recitals.
3 St Nicholas Church, Malá Strana
Appreciate the Malá Strana church’s Baroque grandeur at a concert of sacred music.
4 Basilica of St James
This active house of worship (see Basilica of St James) regularly invites the general public to hear its organ.
5 Mirror Chapel
The Baroque chamber of the Clementinum hosts string quartets and other small ensembles.
6 St Martin in the Wall
Martinská 8
Organ and other recitals are on the bill at this Gothic church, which was once part of the Old Town defences.
7 Spanish Synagogue
The ornate 1880 organ figures in the classic music concerts held in this opulent synagogue.
8 St George’s Basilica
The choral and string recitals here (see St George’s Basilica) present the greatest works of Mozart, Beethoven and others.
9 Church of Sts Simon and Jude
U Milosrdných
Catch an ensemble of the Prague Symphony Orchestra players in this Renaissance sanctuary.
10 St Nicholas Cathedral, Old Town
The Old Town church (see St Nicholas Cathedral) hosts chamber music recitals twice daily.
