39) Concert in Smetana Hall, Municipal House

This beautiful building an example of the Art Nouveau architecture in Prague.

(photo by d_titzova Mar2015) Homage to Prague     

Municipal House

The most striking feature of Prague's star Art Nouveau sight is Karel Špillar's huge semi-circular mosaic above the main entrance, entitled Homage to Prague. The interior is decorated with works by leading Czech artists, including Alfons Mucha. Also inside, topped by an impressive glass dome, is Smetana Hall, Prague's principal concert venue. It was from Municipal House that Czechoslovakia was declared an independent state in 1918.*

Smetana Hall

 Alfons Mucha's paintings adorn the Hall.

A standard repertoire we assumed chosen for conservative tourists' classical music tastes. Performed staidly with precision but no drama, for instance Bolero which had no tension in the buildup to its climax.

Coffee and the finest dessert in the art nouveau Francouzsca Restaurace downstairs from Smetana Hall.

(* from eyewitness travel)