Mahler 8 – The Symphony of a Thousand Resounded in Ostrava
Mahler 8 at Trojhalí Karolina became the largest classical music concert ever held in the region. Photo: Adolf Horsinka

Mahler 8 – The Symphony of a Thousand Resounded in Ostrava

May 25, 2026 Updated 25.05.2026 12:39
Eight years of preparation. Three orchestras. Thirteen choirs. Eight soloists. A chief conductor and two assistant conductors. Sixteen institutions. Nearly six hundred performers. These were the key parameters of the Mahler 8 project, which transformed Ostrava’s Trojhalí Karolina into the venue of the largest classical music concert in the history of the Moravian-Silesian Region on May 17 and 18.
Mahler 8 – The Symphony of a Thousand Resounded in Ostrava
Mahler 8 at Trojhalí Karolina became the largest classical music concert ever held in the region. Photo: Adolf Horsinka

“I would like to emphasize that this was the largest classical music concert ever staged in the entire region. Ostrava once again demonstrated what it means to be a city of culture, capable of providing high-quality and comfortable facilities for such extensive cultural events. Mahler 8 was a unique experience — something truly exceptional that drew the attention of classical music lovers to Ostrava. I would also like to highlight the project’s broader educational dimension, including exhibitions of works created by students of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ostrava as well as pupils from primary schools across the Moravian-Silesian Region,” said Ostrava Mayor Jan Dohnal.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Mayor Jan Dohnal

Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 in E-flat major, known as the “Symphony of a Thousand,” was performed under the baton of world-renowned conductor Christian Arming during two concerts attended by more than 2,200 visitors in total. Another approximately 700 pupils, students, and teachers from nearly thirty art schools, primary schools, grammar schools, and conservatories from across the Moravian-Silesian Region attended the public dress rehearsal on Saturday, May 16, which organizers opened free of charge for the younger generation. Among the visitors were also clients of specialized centers for people with disabilities and children from orphanages.

Deputy Mayor Lucie Baránková Vilamová also addressed the audience during the opening ceremony

Deputy Mayor Lucie Baránková Vilamová emphasized the important role played by the Moravian-Silesian capital in this musical event: “In the case of such monumental projects, the choice of venue is never left to chance. On the contrary, it is considered very carefully. Mahler 8 in Ostrava confirms our city’s position as an important cultural center. The atmosphere of the performance was significantly enhanced by the setting of Trojhalí Karolina, reminiscent of Munich’s Neue Musik-Festhalle, where this extraordinary work by Gustav Mahler was premiered in 1910.”

Deputy Mayor Dagmar Macháčková (third from left) and Councillor Andrea Hoffmannová were also among the guests

Mahler’s Eighth Symphony is a work about unity, and bringing people together became one of the central themes of the entire project. Artists from different generations shared one stage — musicians and singers from Ostrava, Opava, Karviná, Nový Jičín, Šumperk, Brno, Prague, Bratislava, and Hamburg, as well as from the Polish cities of Katowice, Gliwice, and Zabrze. Alongside the Moravian-Silesian Sinfonietta, the project also involved the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava and the Májovák Karviná Symphonic Wind Orchestra. A total of 130 musicians were joined by thirteen choirs — including mixed and children’s choirs — from the Czech Republic and Poland.

Deputy Mayor Zbyněk Pražák also attended the remarkable cultural event

“The Eighth Symphony by Gustav Mahler is famously known as the Symphony of a Thousand. For me personally, however, the Ostrava performance of this work is above all a symphony of friendship. Without the cooperation of hundreds of people who trust one another and share the same vision, this project could never have come into existence. The energy, solidarity, and mutual support were its greatest strengths from the very beginning,” said Jan Soukup, Artistic Director of the M8 project.

The Symphony of a Thousand also attracted Deputy Mayor Břetislav Riger

The Mahler 8 project was financially supported by the Moravian-Silesian Region, the City of Ostrava, and the municipality of Řepiště near Frýdek-Místek, where the Moravian-Silesian Sinfonietta is based.

“We thank all partners for their support and trust, without which such an extraordinary cultural event could not have taken place. Together, we succeeded in bringing audiences an exceptional musical experience while also demonstrating that Ostrava and the Moravian-Silesian Region are places where ambitious cultural projects with international reach can be created,” said Petr Šnejdar, Director of Trojhalí Karolina.

The captivating music also brought Deputy Mayor Jiří Vávra to Trojhalí

All important information about the Mahler 8 project can be found on the project’s official website and Facebook profile.

Ostrava City Councillor Petr Veselka listening to Mahler’s monumental opus

Partners of the Mahler 8 Project

Supported by the City of Ostrava, the Moravian-Silesian Region, and the municipality of Řepiště.

The project was also supported by the ČEZ Foundation.

Main media partner: Czech Television

Partners: Generali Česká pojišťovna, CTP

Print partner: Printo

Patronages Granted

Bettina Kirnbauer – Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the Czech Republic

Jiří Šitler – Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Republic of Austria

Břetislav Dančák – Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Republic of Poland

Rychlý kontakt