Prague as the musical genius’ city of fate

The capital city of Prague was an essential element in Antonín Dvořák’s life. It was in Prague that he lived, composed, gave concerts and even conducted the first concert of the Czech Philharmonic in the Rudolfinum. Our in-house musicologist David Beveridge has recommended several places that are inextricably linked with Dvořák.

Where to go on a walk

National Theatre

From 1862 to 1871, Antonín Dvořák played the viola in the orchestra of the Provisional Theatre, which was located in the back part of the building. When the National Theatre was completed in 1881, operas such as The Jacobin, The Devil and Kate, Rusalka and Armida were performed there for the first time.

Seminary (Konvikt) 

The Prague Organ School played a key role in his life. The school was located in the former Jesuit seminary in Konviktská street in Prague’s Old Town. Starting in 1857, the young Antonín Dvořák lived there in very modest conditions, almost in poverty. He was taught music theory and singing by Josef Leopold Zvonař, one of the founders of modern Czech music pedagogy. With his guidance, Dvořák gained the most solid foundations of counterpoint, harmony and church music.

Husova 3

It was at this address that Dvořák had his first residence, living with his cousin and her family. From his room on the first floor, he could see into the garden of an inn and listen to the music emanating from the tavern. The building has been preserved to the present day.

František Palacký and František Ladislav Rieger Memorial

If you want to dive deeper and really soak up the atmosphere of a long past era, take a tour of the František Palacký and František Ladislav Rieger Memorial. It is an apartment containing surviving original furnishings and objects that the family used on a daily basis.

Antonín Dvořák was not much of a social creature, but enjoyed regular Friday night gatherings in the home of architect and art patron Josef Hlávka. There he would meet artists and intellectuals such as Julius Zeyer, Jaroslav Vrchlický, Josef Václav Myslbek and Josef Suk, members of the Czech Quartet, as well as František Ladislav Rieger.

The daughter of František Ladislav Rieger, Marie Červinková Riegrová wrote librettos for Dvořák’s operas Dimitri and The Jacobin. They were in regular contact during those periods.

St. Stephen's Church and St. Ignatius Church

The Church of St. Stephen and the Baroque Church of St. Ignatius on Charles Square, where Dvořák regularly attended mass, played a very important role in his life. The Church of St. Ignatius with its historic organ, constructed by an organ builder with whom Dvořák maintained a close friendship, is a fascinating place. Did you know that Dvořák himself played J. S. Bach’s Prelude in C Major on the church’s organ?

These are just a few of the places that are inextricably linked with Antonín Dvořák.

The next time you wander through Prague, remember to take a look or stop at the places that were closest to his heart.