9 WEEKS OF BAROQUE FESTIVAL

CHATEAU UNLOCKED / CHATEAU BEZDRUŽICE
29 July | Wednesday 10:00am – 10:00pm
A morning programme on the village square, exceptional tours of the chateau interiors in the afternoon. 8:00pm Concert by Cappella Mariana.

The town of Bezdružice is known primarily in connection with Kryštof Harant z Polžic a Bezdružic (Kryštof Harant of Polžice and Bezdružice). This distinguished humanist, traveller, writer and composer was, however, born in 1564 in Klenová, in the Klatovy region, and the only connection between him and Bezdružice is the name of the family who had already left the region in the 14th century. Today, we are unable to establish whether Kryštof Harant ever even visited the local dominion. The only thing for sure is that his seat was the East Bohemian castle of Pecka and that his life was ended on the Old Town Square in Prague in 1621 where he was executed along with another 27 leaders of the Bohemian Revolt. Bezdružice Chateau towers above the town on a rocky outcrop, as a prominent feature of the square and a landmark of the broad surroundings. The history of the chateau can be traced back to the 13th century; however, it changed hands several times during its history and in the 17th century it was plundered along with the entire town and burned down by the Swedish army, left to dilapidate slowly, until the Löwenstein family bought it in 1712 and started a Baroque conversion. In the era of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bezdružice was a seat of the court of justice and the entire chateau therefore served as an office of the court and a prison. After World War II, it housed a corporate sanatorium and a holiday resort of the ČKD corporation and the chateau fell into disrepair.
It welcomed a new owner just last year; he reopened the chateau restaurant this year and will exceptionally allow tours of the chateau interiors for one day, as part of the 9 Weeks of Baroque festival.

PROGRAMME
The chateau in Bezdružice, which has been closed for four years, will open its gates for a single day this year as a unique event. From as early as 10:00am, visitors will be able to take a look inside the rooms of the chateau which used to house a gallery of the modern art of glass-making. The newly furnished interiors are used today primarily for private purposes and their opening to the public is a truly exceptional event.
The musical trio of Naladěno (Tuned-Up) and a special Baroque menu at the chateau restaurant will add to the Baroque atmosphere.
In the afternoon, the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady will host a performance by the Rosa Coeli ensemble, who will present a repertoire of music by Kryštof Harant and spiritual and secular songs of the High Renaissance period.
The highlight of the evening is a concert by the vocal ensemble Cappella Mariana, presenting masterpieces of Renaissance polyphony and Early Baroque, with an emphasis on the preserved work of Kryštof Harant.
A programme of side events will run throughout the day also in the bourg where stalls selling hand-crafted products and snacks will await visitors; kids can look forward to fine-arts workshops and visitors can explore an exhibition about the life and work of the famous traveller, writer and composer Kryštof Harant z Polžic a Bezdružic.

3:00pm – 6:00pm The chateau – open tours; atmospheric music by the Naladěno (Tuned-Up) trio at Na Křivce vantage point next to the parking lot; the chateau restaurant offers a simple Baroque menu; U Haranta house – Bezdružice village square – open door, an exhibition; fine-arts workshops, a small fair and an exhibition about Kryštof Harant will take place in the area in front of the house
6:00pm – Church of the Assumption of Our Lady – concert by Rosa Coeli – Early Baroque songs in Harant's style, a café and a fair in the back area behind the church
8:00pm The chateau – concert by the Cappella Mariana ensemble – From Bezdružice to Europe and back

ARTISTS AND PARTICIPANTS
NALADĚNO TRIO (TUNED-UP TRIO)
ROSA COELI
CAPELLA MARIANA

Admission: CZK 50 during the day, CZK 150 | CZK 75 for the concert
TICKETS AVAILABLE IN ADVANCE
Capacity: Unlimited throughout the day, 200 places for the concert
Partner: Czech West LAG – Local Partnership, http://www.leader-ceskyzapad.cz, in collaboration with the castle owner, the Town of Bezdružice, the Roman Catholic Parish ŘKF Konstantinovy Lázně

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