The 22nd Edition of the Viva Musica! festival Begins
For the first time in its history, the Viva Musica! festival will cross Slovakia’s borders.

Bratislava, May 27, 2026

For the first time in its history, the Viva Musica! festival will cross Slovakia’s borders. In addition to 13 concerts on home soil, the festival will also present an exclusive concert at the Smetana Hall of Prague’s Municipal House, featuring the Janoska Ensemble. The festival’s opening concert will belong to Philip Glass’s legendary opera Einstein on the Beach, which will be performed in Bratislava in its Slovak premiere, with world-renowned Suzanne Vega appearing as the narrator.

At the very start of the festival, Bratislava’s Old Market Hall will host an extraordinary musical event – on Thursday, May 28 at 7:00 PM, Philip Glass’s legendary minimalist opera Einstein on the Beach will receive its Slovak premiere there. The more than three-hour concert version of the work will be performed by the outstanding Belgian ensembles Ictus and Collegium Vocale Gent under the baton of conductor Tom De Cock, with American singer-songwriter Suzanne Vega in the leading role of narrator. The same venue will also host the acclaimed Slovak duo Lash&Grey on June 18, who will present their original compositions in brand-new arrangements accompanied by a chamber orchestra and an international band.

Soprano Adriana Kučerová will return to the festival on Thursday, June 25, performing at the Great Evangelical Church together with the French ensemble Thymos Ensemble, whose members include musicians from the Orchestre de Paris and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France. Also arriving in Bratislava from Paris will be the outstanding harpsichordist Louise Acabo, who will perform a solo recital featuring an attractive Baroque program on July 22 in the Mirror Hall of the Primate’s Palace.

July’s program will also include the Slovak premiere of acclaimed Tunisian oud player Anouar Brahem with his album After the Last Sky (July 15 at Slovak Radio), accompanied by an international quartet of top-class musicians: Anja Lechner (cello), Django Bates (piano), and Mats Eilertsen (double bass). A musical journey through South America, France, and Spain will be offered by the concert Gracias a la vida, performed by the trio Ana-Carmen Balestra (soprano), Hadewych van Gent (cello and vocals), and Vitor Noah (guitar). The concert is part of the international EFFEA residency program organized under the umbrella of the European Festivals Association (July 25 at the Garden of the Albrecht House).

“This year, the festival will host more than 150 artists from 10 countries at various venues in Bratislava and beyond the capital city. The program once again includes Slovak premieres, popular concerts in gardens and parks, as well as the #NextGeneration series dedicated to outstanding young talents. We are also continuing last year’s new initiative – the Eugen Suchoň Masterclass Series, which will take place in Pezinok,” added Janka Kovalčik, director of the Viva Musica! festival.

Festival Program Beyond the City Center

One of this summer’s major highlights is the festival’s significant expansion beyond Bratislava’s city center. Selected concerts will take place in historical and natural locations throughout the Bratislava region. On June 20, visitors will be able to enjoy a concert by the excellent string quartet Rumi Quartet at the Manor House in Modra. A week later, on June 28, the Manor Park in Stupava will host the cult project Plantasia, dedicated to “plants and the people who love them,” performed by synthesizer players Kristína Smetanová, Haimoni Balgavá, Peter Kunzo, and Martin Štefánik. The same open-air program will also be presented on July 16 at the square by Eurovea. Both concerts will be free of charge.

Contemporary music by composers such as Steve Reich and Bryce Dessner will be performed by Spectrum Quartett on Thursday, July 2, at design factory in Jarovce. An exceptional fusion of nature and art will be offered by flautist and specialist in ethnic wind instruments from around the world Veronika Vitázková, who is also part of Hans Zimmer’s European tour. Her concert is scheduled for Saturday, July 4, at the Eco-Centre in Čunovo. On July 12, the Synagogue in Senec will host outstanding young soprano Liubov Ostrovska with a song recital.

Viva Musica! Prague

A milestone of the 22nd edition is the aforementioned expansion beyond Slovakia’s borders. The phenomenal Janoska Ensemble will travel under the festival’s banner to the iconic Smetana Hall of Prague’s Municipal House, where on July 21 they will perform Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons in their distinctive “Janoska Style” (2024, Deutsche Grammophon). Janoska Ensemble is considered one of Europe’s most original contemporary music ensembles, and their signature “Janoska Style” naturally blends classical music, jazz, and improvisation into a unique, energetic, and virtuosic whole. This first-ever international concert of the festival underscores its ambition to open new horizons and present top-tier artistry in an international context.

The Janoska Ensemble concert will serve as this year’s Prague festival prologue. “As a child from a Czech-Slovak family, I developed a strong connection to the Czech Republic and its cultural scene from an early age. As an artist, I have always regarded the Czech Republic – and Prague in particular – as a global cultural capital. And as a cultural manager, I have dreamed for several years of bringing the Viva Musica! festival to Prague. I believe that after 21 years of experience in Slovakia, we are ready to begin writing a new successful story under the Viva Musica! Prague brand in the Czech Republic as well,” said Matej Drlička, founder of the Viva Musica! festival and initiator of the idea.

Happy Birthday, Dalibor Karvay!

The festival will culminate on August 6 at the Great Concert Studio of Slovak Radio with a grand birthday concert celebrating Dalibor Karvay, originally planned for last summer on the occasion of his 40th birthday. The internationally acclaimed violin virtuoso will perform alongside two exceptional musicians and close friends – cellist Harriet Krijgh and pianist Markus Schirmer – together with the Viva Musica! Orchestra.

An important part of the festival summer will once again be the Eugen Suchoň Masterclass Series, taking place in Pezinok from July 26 to August 1. Young talented singers will develop their skills at the local arts school under the guidance of four renowned Slovak vocalists and educators: Jana Kurucová (opera singing), Adriana Kučerová (opera singing), Eva Banči (rock, pop, chanson, musical theatre), and Kristína Mihaľová (Lash&Grey) (jazz singing and improvisation). The masterclasses will culminate in two public final concerts – an opera concert at the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and a multi-genre evening combining rock, pop, and musical theatre in Pezinok Castle Park.

The festival is held under the patronage of the Mayor of the Capital City of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, Matúš Vallo, and the Chairman of the Bratislava Self-Governing Region, Juraj Droba. The Eugen Suchoň Masterclass Series is held under the patronage of the Mayor of Pezinok, Roman Mács.