Prague Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1934, the Prague Symphony Orchestra (FOK) is a leading Czech ensemble with an impressive tradition and international reputation, which enriches the concert life of the Czech metropolis and represents Prague and Czech culture abroad at the highest level. As the official orchestra of the City of Prague, it is based and performs in the attractive space of the Smetana Hall of the Municipal House. The abbreviation FOK stands for Film – Opera – Koncert which was the orchestra’s original focus. Tomáš Brauner has been Chief Conductor of the Prague Symphony Orchestra since the 2020/2021 season. Prior to him, Rudolf Pekárek, Václav Smetáček, Jiří Bělohlávek, Petr Altrichter, Gaetano Delogu, Serge Baudo, Jiří Kout, and Pietari Inkinen held this post. Tomáš Netopil has been designated Chief Conductor from the 2025/2026 season. The orchestra has maintained its artistic reputation and respect throughout its existence by working with internationally renowned conductors (Václav Talich, Rafael Kubelík, Karel Ančerl, Sir Georg Solti, Zubin Mehta, Sir Charles Mackerras, Leonard Slatkin, Neeme Järvi, Krzysztof Penderecki, Paavo Järvi, Andrey Boreyko, Helmuth Rilling etc.); soloists (David Oistrach, Isaac Stern, Josef Suk, Rudolf Firkušný, Sviatoslav Richter, Claudio Arrau, Garrick Ohlsson, Mstislav Rostropovich, Mischa Maisky, Martha Argerich, Vadim Repin, Pinchas Zukerman, Lukáš Vondráček etc.) and singers (José Cura, Anne Sofie von Otter, Thomas Hampson, Renée Fleming etc.).