The Concentus Moraviae Festival is focused on Italian baroque music in its 18th edition. Traditionally during the month of June (1-29 June 2013), the festival events open the door of historical buildings in the South Moravia and Higlands regions. 19 charming towns will become the venue of 33 festival events which intend to be a focused probe on the baroque Italy.

We can look forward to works by Italians and by composers of the 17th and 18th centuries who were significantly influenced by Italy. We will be introduced to music connected with specific Italian regions and will follow the trail which Italian composition has left in Europe, as well as discover the influence of Czech composers on Italy.

The festival opening will be a visit to musical Naples. The Accordone Ensemble and the extraordinary singer Marco Beasley will introduce the city between the calm sea and fierce Vesuvius in a fresco of Neapolitan music dating from 16th century to the present days, at the chateau in Moravský Krumlov on 1 June and at the chateau of Austerlitz one day later.

The world famous mezzo-soprano, native from the festival region, Magdalena Kožená, has become a Patron of the Concentus Moraviae Festival in this year. Her auspices will be followed by a regular participation in festival projects. This year Magdalena will appear at the chateau in Moravský Krumlov on 12 June.

In collaboration with the Venice Baroque Orchestra and Andrea Marcon works by Vivaldi and Händel will be performed. Leading Italian and Czech organists will resound precious original baroque organs in churches of the region with Italian repertoire. Andrea Marcon prepared a programme of compositions by Frescobaldi, Storace, A. Scarlatti, Pasquini and D. Scarlatti for the newly restored instrument by Jan Výmola in the Church of the Elevation of the Holy Cross in Doubravník.

Combinantion of fragile puppets with a new production of Cavalli's opera Calisto is a contribution by the early music ensembles Collegium Marianum and their colleagues of Cakes and puppets puppeteer group. Performances will take place at the Chateau Greenhouse in Boskovice on 14 June and at the chateau in Mikulov on 15 June.

For more information please visit www.concentus-moraviae.cz