The Leoš Janáček International Music Festival is seeing strong audience interest several months ahead of its 76th edition, with approximately one third of all tickets already sold. The festival, taking place from 1 June to 3 July 2026, will offer chamber concerts, major symphonic evenings, open-air programmes in Hukvaldy, and a diverse accompanying programme in Ostrava and across the region.

“This confirms that this year’s edition is generating great expectations—whether thanks to outstanding international soloists, an attractive dramaturgy, or the unique atmosphere of the festival venues,” says Jan Žemla, Director of the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava and the Leoš Janáček International Music Festival.

Chamber concerts, symphonic evenings and open-air Hukvaldy
In the chamber music section, the world-renowned Jerusalem Quartet—one of the most respected chamber ensembles of today—will perform on 3 June at Vesmír. The ensemble has been shining on international stages for over two decades. Less than two weeks later, on 15 June, the festival programme will feature young Georgian pianist Tamta Magradze. She is the recipient of more than ten international awards and regularly performs at major European festivals and concert venues. Critics praise her “exceptional technical assurance” as well as her deep musicality.

Two top orchestras will also be among this year’s highlights—the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra (SOČR) and the NOSPR Katowice. The Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra will perform on 22 June in a programme titled Janáček and Dvořák at Vesmír, conducted by Elias Grandy and featuring soloists Sára Slováková and Jan Martiník. Three days later, the NOSPR Katowice will come to Ostrava with pianist Lukáš Vondráček and conductor Marin Alsop.

The Hukvaldy amphitheatre will host two major evenings. On 27 June, the Police Symphony Orchestra together with Thom Artway will present an energetic crossover concert combining symphonic sound with pop, rock, and film music. The following day, the festival will culminate in an open-air performance of Carl Orff’s monumental cantata Carmina Burana, performed by the Hradec Králové Philharmonic, conductor Kaspar Zehnder, soloists, and choirs.

The festival also offers an accompanying programme
In addition to the main concerts, the festival will present a range of accompanying events that open it up to new audiences and unconventional formats. These include a Berlin Phil Live screening with Jakub Hrůša on 6 June at Minikino in Ostrava, held as part of Ostrava Museum Night and featuring a live broadcast from the Berlin Philharmonic. The festival’s charitable dimension will be highlighted on 20 June by a concert of the Czech-Slovak Doctors’ Orchestra and Choir ČOLEK, whose proceeds will support the Zlatá rybka organisation, which grants wishes to seriously ill children. A more informal and open face of the festival will be presented by a symphonic busking performance by the Police Symphony Orchestra in front of Nová Karolina on 28 June, bringing music directly into the public space. On 12 June, the festival atmosphere will be enriched by an evening jam session at Dock club in Ostrava featuring world-class jazz musicians. Further details of the accompanying programme will be gradually published on the festival website.

The Leoš Janáček International Music Festival will take place from 1 June to 3 July 2026 in Ostrava and other cities of the Moravian-Silesian Region. It will present around thirty concerts and accompanying events for classical music lovers, families with children, students, and first-time visitors alike.

The full programme and tickets are available at www.mujhudebnifestival.cz.