Mozart in Prague

During the 1770s and 1780s, Prague was one of the jewels of Europe – a city that could rival anywhere in terms of culture and opulence. When the city was victim to a terrible fire, the rebuilding effort only enhanced the look and feel of the city, with architects from various countries all leaving their mark on the buildings and providing some of the incredible palaces, churches and gardens that can still be found today. The city’s population soon grew to 100,000 people and started to attract some of the biggest names from around the world.

As this explosion of culture reached its peak, someone by the name of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart walked into Prague, looking for an orchestra and an audience that would appreciate his music. After moving into his villa – named Bertramka – he set about writing one of his most famous pieces, called Don Giovanni. This saw its premiere in 1787 at the Estates Theatre in the city, and the rest is history.

Thanks to the influence of Mozart, you will always be able to find somewhere in Prague celebrating the man that many consider being an adopted son of the city. Czech musicians are renowned for being some of the most talented in the world, so it is well worth getting to at least one of these performances while you are in Prague. Even if you don’t like classical music, you will still be able to feel the magic of the occasion.