About the ISSEM

The town of Valtice and its distinguished castle has been the friendly base for the International Summer School of Early Music (ISSEM) since 1989, organized by the Early Music Society (CR). The excellent milieu of the summer school’s extensive interpretation courses in early music in the Czech Republic has inspired a number of gifted young musicians, and has helped to support many remarkable projects and new ensembles. The ISSEM is open to both professionals and amateurs. This is a week full of hard work with highly-respected musicians from different countries and, at the same time, an opportunity to spend an active holiday-week with the whole family. Two full-value classes are especially intended for children from 6 years of age upward. The main classes take place in the mornings from 9:00 till 12:30 a.m. After lunch, the students can choose from orchestral classes or the choir, audit or participate in other special seminars, or learn historical dances. The lecturers and guest ensembles perform each evening in the church or the Spanish Stables of the castle. The last two evenings are dedicated to students’ concerts and children’s performances. A tradition of joyful late-night dancing, when students present the folk music of their mother countries, has developed spontaneously over the years.

This year we will set out on a virtual journey, exploring the roots of early music from Valtice and its surroundings. Music by Georg Arnold and Aloisius Cocchi will resound at the concerts and in the classes. Mr. Jiří Sehnal and Ms. Michaela Freemanová will give special lectures. We hope the local Muse will strongly inspire a brand new class of Music from Czech Hymn-books, led by Mr. Michael Pospíšil. Ms. Poppy Holden´s class will focus, beyond solo singing, on Madrigal music. We are looking forward to welcoming new members of the teachers’ team: the Austrian violinist and conductor Mr. Gunar Letzbor – baroque violin; Ms. Julie Braná – solo recorder, Ms. Edita Keglerová – harpsichord and Mr. Marek Niewiedzial – baroque oboe.

The renowned Dutch virtuoso and conductor Mr. Jacques Ogg has been invited to give a special harpsichord seminar. Another novelty will be the Basso Continuo class led by Mr. Lukáš Vendl. No less attractive are the other classes being offered, as in earlier years: from Gregorian chant to baroque acting and historical dance – with lots of wonderful music!

The course fee covers active participation in the solo or ensemble classes, admission to all concerts and lectures, and other additional activities. Accommodation and meals are arranged for the hostel of the Viticulture School (VS) where most of the classes also take place. The VS is close to the town centre, where the rest of the classes are held: everything in Valtice is within walking distance. The town itself and its surrounding countryside offer serene walks, lots of landmarks – such as museums, castles and churches - as well as swimming in the lakes and cycling (cheap bicycle rentals are available). The district is famous for its vineyards and wine cellars. The Valtice-Lednice region was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1996.

Several practical suggestions and explanations
(intended especially for new ISSEM participants)

Price list 2010

The town of Valtice is a co-organiser of the International Summer School of Early Music and long-time partner of the Society for Early Music (CR).

It is hoped that the following organisations will support the Summer School as in previous years:

Czech Ministry of Culture, Italian Centre of Culture in Prague, Deutsch-Tschechischer Zukunftsfonds,
–sterreichisches Kulturforums Prag