The music series
Večery ve Šternberském paláci have been organized on the premises of the National Gallery in Prague since the autumn 2018. Wednesdays were chosen because of extended opening hours at the gallery, when musical experience could be followed by an artistic experience from the Old Masters II collection. Nowadays the concerts are recommended to be accompanied by a walk through Hradčany castle, or a previous visit to the exhibition in one of the three NGP buildings on Hradčanské náměstí. Concerts take place in the acoustically exceptional space of the baroque cafe in the courtyard of the Šternberský Palace. The dramaturgy of the concerts follows diversity in the cast and musical styles, from Renaissance to contemporary music with extraordinary musicians from the Chamber and Early music platform. The space itself, thanks to the informal closeness of the audience, creates the impression of former “musical salons", when the performers bring their work closer to the attentive audience, supplementing it with an accompanying speech or a discussion after the concert. Since the summer of 2022, the cafe has been operated by Etincelle s.r.o., which guarantees responsive approach tho the whole event as well as refreshments before and after the concert.
We look forward to you,
Ivana Bilej Brouková & EnTrée z.s.
STERNBERK PALACE AT HRADČANY
The palace is hidden behind the Archbishop's Palace and has the character of a secret place, even though its interiors have hosted artistic gems from the collections of the National Gallery in Prague since 1946. The masterpiece of high Baroque palace architecture in Prague was built for the purposes of the city residence of Václav Vojtěch from Šternberk, who was not only one of the first patrons of art around 1700, but was also known as a lover of celebrations, theater and music. The grand entrance to the palace, an imposing hall, a monumental Roman-type staircase, a spacious courtyard, beautiful enfilades of halls and a magical garden form a magnificent architectural framework for the collections of old art from Dürer to Goya. The music that belongs to this place opens up other incentives for inspiration.