Gil Shaham will close the Festival playing a legendary Stradivarius violin

The Closing Concert of the 2026 Dvořák Prague Festival will feature Grammy award winner Gil Shaham playing alongside the Czech Philharmonic. Together, he and conductor Elim Chan will ensure that the Festival closes on a majestic note.

Gil Shaham is one of the world’s leading violinists. His sound and distinctive playing style are easily recognisable to both audiences and critics. He has performed with many of the world’s top ensembles over the course of his career.‍

Grammy award winner

‍Gil Shaham has more than 20 recordings to his credit, which have earned him multiple prestigious awards, including a Grammy, the Grand Prix du Disque and the Diapason d’Or. His name is indivisibly intertwined with valuable historical instruments: he plays the 1699 “Countess Polignac” Stradivarius violin and the 1719 “Cremona” Stradivarius, which he has on loan thanks to the support of Rare Violins In Consortium.‍

Majestic close to the Festival

‍Gil Shaham’s ever-present bright smile and natural charisma have made him a favourite of Prague audiences for many years. He will perform as soloist at the Festival’s Closing Concert, which will take place on Wednesday, 23 September 2026 at 8 pm in the Dvořák Hall of the Rudolfinum in Prague.‍

‍He will perform Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, accompanied by the Czech Philharmonic led by conductor Elim Chan. The programme of the gala event will also include Bohuslav Martinů’s Overture for Orchestra, Dvořák’s Suite in A Major and Igor Stravinsky’s suite from the ballet The Firebird.