Dear International Living Reader,

Prague, always a captivating city, is at its best this month. Flowers are already blooming everywhere and, from May 12 to June 4, music will pour forth from venues throughout the city in celebration of the 60th Annual Prague Spring Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious music events.

Concertgoers can choose from classic to contemporary programs, in venues ranging from a cemetery to the National Theatre, a bank to Prague Castle. Such variety is part of what keeps this historic city vibrant.

The opening performance of "My Country," a festival signature, will be held in Vyšehrad Cemetery-Slavín. The Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra and the Czech Boys’ Choir will perform Händel’s "Alleluia" from The Messiah in St. Vidus’ Cathedral in Prague Castle. Beethoven’s I, which is the Festival’s traditional closing performance, will be held this year at Obecní dum.

What’s on my list of events to attend? I want to see dancers perform at the Prague Opera, and I will also be taking in the Spring International Music Competition 2005, where up-and-coming musicians vie for recognition. And perhaps I will even brave Wagner’s "The Ring of the Nibelungen," a co-production of the National Theatre and Deutsche Oper am Rhein.

You can find out more about the schedule (in English) at http://www.festival.cz/indexa.htm.

Deborah Clark
For International Living