Summer Festivities of Early Music

The Summer Festivities of Early Music 2025, taking place from July 17 to August 5, is the largest and longest-running festival of its kind in the Czech Republic.

It offers not only concerts of sacred and secular music but also baroque theatre, dance, and unique experiences in Prague’s historic venues.

This year’s edition carries the subtitle Familia, with programming focused on musical dynasties, family ties, and stories that helped shape European musical history. The repertoire spans from the Middle Ages to the High Baroque and features renowned ensembles from across Europe. Audiences can look forward to less commonly heard instruments such as the vihuela, organetto, fidula, and viola da gamba.

Highlights you shouldn’t miss:

July 17 – Die Bach-Familie
The opening concert at the Church of Our Lady on the Slavs will present vocal-instrumental works by several members of the world’s most famous musical dynasty. The evening’s stars will be the Berlin-based Ensemble Polyharmonique.

July 21 – Música da vida
The Portuguese ensemble Sete Lágrimas returns to the festival stage, guiding the audience through life’s transitions—from birth to death—via the rich musical traditions of the Iberian Peninsula, across centuries and faiths.

July 23 – La flor en Paradis
Held at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at Vyšehrad, this evening is devoted to medieval sacred music performed by the Spanish ensemble Tasto Solo.

July 25 – Les frères Francœur
Two young stars of historically informed performance, violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte and harpsichordist Justin Taylor, will perform a virtuosic recital at Lobkowicz Palace, inspired by the French brothers Louis and François Francœur.

July 28 – A Venezia
For the first time in Prague, the Italian-Swiss ensemble Concerto Scirocco will explore the influence of 17th-century music printing, especially the Venetian publishing dynasty Gardano/Magni.

July 31 – Their Majesties
The English royal court of the late 17th and early 18th centuries will come to life thanks to the Flemish ensemble Musica Gloria and countertenor Pieter de Praetere, who will recall not only the famous Henry Purcell, but also his lesser-known relative Daniel Purcell.

August 5 – Passione d’amore
The festival will conclude with a passionate and dramatic opera program by the resident ensemble Collegium Marianum, led by Jana Semerádová. The evening will include arias from Handel’s Giulio Cesare in Egitto and Vivaldi’s Il Giustino, performed by soprano Kateryna Kasper and baritone Roman Hoza.

The festival is not just a musical event—it’s a journey through time and space. Concerts are held in beautiful historic locations such as Břevnov Monastery, Lobkowicz Palace, and churches in Malá Strana and Old Town. The combination of authentic period instruments, historical settings, and world-class performers makes for an extraordinary cultural experience.

When: July 17 – August 5, 2025
Where: Prague – historic venues and churches
Tickets: 700–1100 CZK

Find all tips for the best EVENTS IN PRAGUE.