Golden Leaves and Choral Voices: Musica Orbis Gloria 2026

As the leaves turn gold along the Vltava and the evenings grow softer, Prague fills with song. From 30 October to 1 November 2026, Musica Orbis Gloria welcomes choirs from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Poland, Estonia and Greece for a weekend packed with music from morning till evening. On stage you will hear preschoolers singing their very first songs, cathedral boys’ choirs, award winning youth ensembles, a choir that sings without reading a single note and singers who have been making music together for decades.

And the best part? All performances are open to the public and admission is free. Just come, sit down and let the music do the rest.

Festival at a glance

Friday 30 October
18:30 Opening Concert
Church of the Holy Saviour, Salvátorská 1, Prague 1

Saturday 31 October
11:00 to 13:00 Choir Performances I
14:30 to 16:00 Choir Performances II
19:00 Announcement of Results and Award Ceremony
Bohuslav Martinů Hall, Liechtenstein Palace, Malostranské náměstí 13, Prague 1

Sunday 1 November
10:00 Holy Mass with the festival choirs
St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle

Saturday morning: Choir Performances I (11:00 to 13:00, in order of appearance)

Žiliňáčik Children’s Choir, Slovakia. Founded only in 2022, these young singers from Žilina have already won gold in Čadca and at the Victoria Cracow Choir Competition. Expect a colourful programme travelling from Slovak folk song all the way to Japan and East Africa.

Würzburger Domsingknaben, Germany. Around 100 boys make up this cathedral choir academy, one of Germany’s long established boys’ choirs. In Prague they bring Mendelssohn, Rutter and two of Dvořák’s Moravian Duets, sung right in Dvořák’s home city.

Skřivánek Children’s Choir, Czech Republic. For 38 years, Věra Pokorná and her choir from Jablonec nad Nisou have been introducing preschool children to choral singing. Their charming programme of Czech children’s songs is pure joy (non competitive).

LumiVox, Czech Republic. Founded in January 2026, this international Prague choir unites singers of many nationalities, most of whom don’t read music. Just months later they took home a Silver Award in Olomouc. Pop and experimental folk are their home ground.

Fluidum, Czech Republic. Born from a dream shared during the pandemic, this women’s choir from Písek now counts 25 singers. Musica Orbis Gloria is their very first international festival, and their love of Czech folk song shines through their programme.

Uničov Mixed Choir, Czech Republic. A choir that brings generations together, competing in the Senior Choirs category. Their journey through Josquin, Smetana, Janáček and Tučapský promises a warm and heartfelt performance.

Tallinn Music and Ballet School Girls’ Choir, Estonia. Grand Prix winners at Cantemus in Hungary and Riga Sings in Latvia, these young singers carry Estonia’s great choral tradition with music by Veljo Tormis, Arvo Pärt and a Moravian folk setting by Otmar Mácha.

Saturday afternoon: Choir Performances II (14:30 to 16:00, in order of appearance)

Cantica Collegium musicum Martin, Slovakia. A true choral powerhouse with gold medals from three World Choir Games and the European Choir Games, plus a Grand Prix in Vietnam. They compete twice: in Sacred Music and in Mixed Adult Choirs.

Bel Canto, Poland. Founded in 2000 in Jordanów, Bel Canto began a new chapter as a women’s choir in 2023 and has since sung at the Berlin Philharmonie. In Prague they present sacred music by Lotti, Dubra and Miśkiewicz.

Männerstimmen der Würzburger Domsingknaben, Germany. Former boy trebles who stayed with the choir after their voices changed. Their male choir programme includes Gallus, Poulenc, Reger and Martinů.

Harmonic Echoes, Greece. Cantors from the island of Kalymnos bring the ancient sound of Byzantine chant to Prague in a rare non competitive performance not to be missed.

Vocalatté, Slovakia. Founded in 2011 by students of mathematics, physics and informatics in Bratislava, this ensemble loves swing, film music and arrangements of Queen and ABBA. Listen out for Sing, Sing, Sing, which you can hear twice on Saturday in two different arrangements!

Meet the jury

The performances will be evaluated by an experienced international jury. Chairman Marek Valášek heads the Department of Music Education at the Faculty of Education, Charles University, and founded the award winning Piccolo coro. Jan Pirner conducts the Radost Praha Children’s Choir and specialises in choral music at NIPOS. David Slater is an Australian composer, conductor and educator who represents Australia on the World Choir Council.

Sunday morning at St. Vitus Cathedral

The festival culminates on Sunday at 10:00, when the festival choirs join together for the Holy Mass at St. Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle. Hearing so many voices fill one of Europe’s most beautiful Gothic cathedrals is a moment you will not forget.

Whether you love choral music or are simply looking for something beautiful to do on an autumn weekend, join us. The doors are open, the choirs are ready and Prague is about to sing.