Czech National Concert Band Makes Its Debut at Smetana’s Litomyšl Festival

On 28 June 2026, the Czech National Concert Band made its first-ever appearance at the prestigious Smetana’s Litomyšl Festival, performing as part of the Festival Gardens programme.

The concert was conducted by the orchestra’s Chief Conductor Václav Blahunek, who, together with the musicians, prepared a varied programme combining Czech musical tradition with contemporary artistic projects.

A highlight of the evening was the appearance of Barbora Pešková and Marie Voborníková, scholarship recipients of the Magdalena Kožená Foundation. The two young sopranos performed the charming roles of Vendulka and Barča from Bedřich Smetana’s opera The Kiss (Hubička). Barbora Pešková also appeared as a soloist, performing The Girl from Moravia by Bohuslav Martinů, one of the most beloved Czech songs.

In addition to the vocal repertoire, the programme included works by Czech composers Evžen Zámečník, Pavel Staněk, and Karel Husa, showcasing the richness and versatility of the symphonic wind repertoire.

The climax of the concert was a joint performance by the Czech National Concert Band and the renowned ensemble Clarinet Factory. Together they performed six works in special arrangements created specifically for this collaboration by Marko Ivanović. The concert concluded with a unique fusion of the concert band’s powerful sound and Clarinet Factory’s unmistakable musical style, earning an enthusiastic response from the audience.

The Czech National Concert Band would like to thank the festival for the invitation and all those in attendance for their warm reception. We look forward to meeting our audiences again at future performances.