Festival 2024

Over the course of twelve editions, the Festival has become a respected nationwide project with a broad scope. Its aim is to support culture—music, young artists at the beginning of their careers, as well as amateurs with an interest in culture and the arts—engage young people, broaden the public’s musical horizons and cultural education, and strengthen awareness of the operatic soprano Jarmila Novotná. The festival and its individual projects are intended for the general public and all age groups across the Czech Republic.

At the 13th edition of the Jarmila Novotná Festival, we commemorated the 30th anniversary of the death of Jarmila Novotná, a highly significant icon in the world of opera, whose name was long overlooked in the Czech Republic due to historical circumstances. This edition also highlighted the 200th anniversary of the birth of Bedřich Smetana and the 700th anniversary of the founding of the village of Liteň.

On this occasion, the following events took place:

Liteň Horn Days – 4th Edition – Spring Academy of Horn Players of the Czech Philharmonic
13–14 April 2024
This nationwide meeting and musical showcase brings together students, teachers, artists, and the public with a shared interest in the French horn. The event promotes the exchange of experience, expanding interpretative skills, improving performance under professional guidance, and offers educational workshops for the public. On 13–14 April, Chateau Liteň celebrated the French horn, traditionally marking the opening of the Jarmila Novotná Festival, now for the first time under the title Spring Academy of Horn Players of the Czech Philharmonic. A new addition to the program, reflecting the new title, included a Masterclass alongside the usual showcase performances. Two dozen young horn players from across the Czech Republic, including students from music schools, conservatories, and the Prague Academy of Performing Arts (AMU), participated. They gained valuable experience and inspiration under the guidance of Czech Philharmonic horn players—Jindřich Kolář, organizer of the academy, Jan Vobořil, principal horn and head of the French horn section, and hornists Kateřina Javůrková and Hana Sapáková. Additionally, Hana Sapáková conducted an engaging workshop on mental training and a healthy musical environment. Over the two days, four concerts by the participants took place at Chateau Liteň. The festival concluded with the traditional announcement and evaluation of the best horn performances. All participant concerts were open to the public, as was the Sunday concert of the Czech Trumpet Ensemble in the Chateau park.

Gala Concert of Czech Philharmonic Horn Players and Concert of the Czech Trumpet Ensemble
13–14 April 2024
On Saturday, 13 April, the Chekhov Hall hosted the Gala Concert of Czech Philharmonic horn players, featuring instructors from Liteň Horn Days—Jindřich Kolář, Jan Vobořil, Kateřina Javůrková, Hana Sapáková, and their colleague Mikuláš Koska.
As part of the accompanying program of Liteň Horn Days, the Czech Trumpet Ensemble, conducted by Petr Duda, also a Czech Philharmonic horn player, performed in the Chateau Liteň park on Sunday, 14 April.

Jarmila Novotná Commemorative Day – 30th Anniversary of the Death of the Renowned Czech Soprano
25 May 2024
Ceremonial Opening of the Daubek Family Tomb in Liteň
The celebration of the 30th anniversary of Jarmila Novotná’s death began with an afternoon gathering at the Daubek family tomb, where the soprano rests alongside her husband and the last owner, Jiří A. Daubek. The friendship between the Daubek family and prominent artists, as well as their support, led to the construction of this monumental tomb, completed in 1888 by Antonín Wiehl. The event opened with a speech by festival director Ivana Leidlová, followed by a performance by a group of young horn players from the Prague Conservatory and AMU, presenting excerpts from Smetana’s symphonic poems Vltava and From Bohemia’s Meadows and Forests in tribute to Jarmila Novotná. A lecture on the tomb’s artwork and its creators (A. Wiehl, J. Pirner, J.V. Myslbek) was delivered by Filip Wittlich. The Daubek family tomb is a highly valued cultural monument, rarely open to the public—previously visited only ten years ago. Around 700 visitors attended the tomb and its associated program.

Concert – Tribute to Jarmila Novotná
The evening celebration continued in the newly renovated Chateau Liteň barn, where the Kühn Mixed Choir, soloists, and instrumental duo honored Jarmila Novotná with a diverse program From Song to Opera. Musicologist Dita Hradecká guided the audience through the concert with insightful explanations about Jarmila Novotná, the compositions, and their composers. For this occasion, the Chateau Liteň barn was newly decorated with large-format photographs of Novotná in her operatic roles. The evening was a true homage to this international opera icon.

ZUŠ Open of the Central Bohemian Region – 6th Showcase
26 May 2024
This popular event for primary art schools in the Central Bohemian Region has become a traditional part of the festival over the past five years. Held on Sunday, 26 May, the Chateau Liteň grounds hosted an artistic afternoon with several outdoor stages in the park and student concerts in Chekhov Hall. Fourteen primary art schools participated, with over 250 performers throughout the day. Public entry was free. Approximately 1,500 visitors attended ZUŠ Open.

Art Weekend at Chateau Liteň – Max Pirner: Love, Thought, and Life
4–7 July 2024
The art weekend Max Pirner: Love, Thought, and Life took place at Chateau Liteň from 4–7 July. Aimed at the general public, it was led by painter Jakub Špaňhel and National Gallery educator Monika Švec Sybolová. The workshop focused on the Chateau park, the Chateau itself, the Daubek family tomb, and the Liteň church. The event was organized in collaboration with the National Gallery in Prague. Liteň was chosen because Max Pirner often visited his patrons, the Daubeks, there. The weekend concluded with an exhibition of the works on Sunday, 7 July, in the Chateau Orangery, with the pieces on public display until 7 September.

Lecture: Max Pirner and Liteň & Exhibition of Artworks from the Weekend Workshop – 2nd Edition
7 July 2024
On Sunday, 7 July, the public had the opportunity to recall the legacy of Max Pirner, a frequent visitor of Chateau Liteň, through both an exhibition of works from the weekend workshop and a lecture on his life and influence at the Chateau. The program was free of charge.

Masterclasses & Interpretation Courses of the Jarmila Novotná Festival – 11th Edition
2–7 September 2024
In early September, Chateau Liteň came alive with the singing of young professionals attending the annual vocal courses in Liteň. The jubilee 11th edition of the courses was notable for the collaboration of distinguished instructors. Eleven students were guided by renowned Czech vocal coach H. Kaupová and American vocal coach and pianist Kamal Khan, with piano accompaniment by respected coach Ahmad Hedar. This trio returned to Chateau Liteň unusually just one year after their previous visit, continuing cooperation with students from last year’s courses. The project holds regional, nationwide, and international significance. Daily course sessions were also open to the public and amateur singers.

Concert: Mozart’s Seducers at Chateau Liteň – Closing Concert of the Interpretation Courses
7 September 2024
The Interpretation Courses concluded with a public concert in the festively decorated Chateau Liteň barn, entitled Mozart’s Seducers, featuring course participants with piano accompaniment by Ahmad Hedar and Kamal Khan, supported by a string quartet. The program included the most beautiful arias from Mozart’s operas Don Giovanni and The Marriage of Figaro, performed in staged renditions.

Advent Concerts of the Jarmila Novotná Festival
1 December 2024
On the first Sunday of Advent, 1 December 2024, we presented an Advent concert in Chekhov Hall at Chateau Liteň for our regular audience and new listeners. Jiří Suchý performed a festive program with Jitka Molavcová. This event gracefully concluded the 13th edition of the Jarmila Novotná Festival.