Opera legend Plácido Domingo and bestelling author Dan Brown to headline Český Krumlov festival

Author Dan Brown will appear in person in Český Krumlov for the Czech premiere of Wild Symphony on July 31. The concert will mark the first event of the 2021 International Music Festival Český Krumlov. The main festival program will run from Sept. 4 to 18 and will feature opera star Plácido Domingo, violinist Leticia Moreno, pop singer Pia Toscano, and jazz legend Billy Cobham.

Brown, best known for his series of puzzle-based thrillers such as Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, is also a composer. Wild Symphony is his first orchestral work. He will read from his 2020 children's book Wild Symphony, in between the musical segments. Miran Vaupotić will conduct the South Bohemian Philharmonic. The piece had its world premiere in Zagreb, Croatia, in October 2020. That is also where an album of the music was recorded.

He added that he grew up with classical music. “My parents were both musicians who chose not to have a TV, so instead I played piano, sang in choirs, and went to concerts. Music was a secret sanctuary for me as a child and helped spark my creativity and imagination,” he said.

The concert will take place in the new Festival Zone, an area in the Brewery Garden. The zone will serve as a festival center and relaxation area. Events including classical and pop concerts, and a summer film screenings, will be there daily except Monday from July 31 to Sept. 12.

The festival’s main program, originally planned for July and August, has been moved to Sept. 4–18. The 30th year of the festival will offer 16 concerts in five environments, including the festival zone.

The gala concert in the Brewery Garden will includes arias and other sections from Verdi, Puccini, Bizet, Massenet and others. Eugene Kohn will conduct the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.

“The program also includes another opera gala concert. This time Adam Plachetka will perform. This year's program will also celebrate many important anniversaries and we are also planning concerts of other genres. The world jazz legend Billy Cobham will come, and the pop singer Pia Toscano will be part of the national evening dedicated to the U.S.,” Boháč said.

Visitors can also look forward to chamber music concerts and performances by young artists. ”This year, the finalists of the international TV show Virtuosos V4+ or the talented pianist Jan Čmejla will give a concert at the festival," he added.

Current program information, including ticket details, can be found on the festival website and Facebook page.