The Baroque Art Festival will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the castle theater

Český Krumlov - The Baroque Art Festival, which will take place in Český Krumlov, will this year commemorate the 250th anniversary of the castle theater. In honor of this, the festival will offer the opera L’Asilo d’Amore, which also had its world premiere 250 years ago.

The Baroque Art Festival will be held from September 16 to 18. It will feature, among other things, Madrigals from Elizabethan England performed by the Brno ensemble Societas Incognitorum, chamber music of French Baroque "In the Shadow of the Sun King" interpreted by Le Jardin des Arts from Hungary, and an organ recital. Simona Andělová told ČTK on behalf of the organizers.

The opera L’Asilo d’Amore, which translates to "The Refuge of Love," was created to celebrate the birthday of Empress Elizabeth Christine. Since this date coincided with the Imperial Court’s journey from Karlovy Vary and Prague back to Vienna, the performance was prepared at the castle of the emperor's friend and chief steward Adam Franz Prince of Schwarzenberg in Český Krumlov. However, after the tragic death of Prince Schwarzenberg during a hunt near Brandýs nad Labem, when he was shot by the emperor himself, a celebratory court performance in Český Krumlov was no longer an option. The premiere thus eventually took place in Linz.

The libretto of the opera was written in 1732 by Antonio Caldara, one of the most significant composers of Central European Baroque. Therefore, in Český Krumlov, L’Asilo d’Amore will have its premiere after 284 years. Visitors can see it on September 16 at 7:00 PM in the castle theater.

The Baroque Art Festival in Český Krumlov is an opportunity to discover the forgotten art of Baroque musicians, dancers, and singers. It was first held in 2008 with the aim of reviving Baroque opera within the limits of contemporary possibilities of authentic interpretation.

The Český Krumlov Castle Theatre is one of the oldest Baroque theaters of castle type preserved in Central Europe and represents the most comprehensively preserved Baroque theater scene of its kind in the world. The original theater building has been preserved, part of which dates back to 1682, and the audience chamber, orchestra pit, stage, stage technology, and extensive theatrical inventory were all completed in 1766.