On Friday the festival was inaugurated by an opera gala concert of world-famous opera stars, Angela Gheorghiu and Ramón Vargas, accompanied by the PKF – Prague Philharmonia under the baton of experienced conductor Leoš Svárovský. “I am proud of the fact that I had the opportunity to sing at the festival in Český Krumlov with Ramón. Years ago we started our international opera career together. We have been friends for nearly thirty years and friendship in the world of opera is something really rare and I am very grateful for it,” said the opera diva. Both singers confirmed that all the superlatives used by critics as well as listeners in connection with their names, were true. Thanks to their performance based on first-class technique, beautiful timber of voices and natural manner they touched the heart of every visitor and made sure the opening of the 26^th year was truly unforgettable. They presented a wide range of different musical works. In the first half of the evening Vargas stunned the audience as Romeo and Federico, Gheorghiu as Manon and Cho-Cho-San, both artists together first as Violetta and Alfrédo and then as Lucia and Edgardo. Unfortunately the program at the Brewery Garden could not be completed. After the intermission light, at first innocent looking, rain started. All the three numbers from Bizet’s Carmen, including the famous Habanera performed by Angela Gheorghiu, were performed but during Tosca’s and Cavaradossi’s duet it changed into heavy rain and therefore the artists had to stop the production. In spite of that the viewers rewarded both singers and the orchestra with a warm applause. The audience as well as the artists deserve a great acknowledgement for their obligingness and patience with the weather. “I performed in Český Krumlov six years ago and now once again I have realized what a unique and magical place it was. It is one of the few places in the world where the charm of nature and the beauty of historic sights are wedded. And even this time the atmosphere in the auditorium and on the stage together with an excellent orchestra, the PKF – Prague Philharmonia, was beautiful in spite of the weather which forced us to leave the stage ahead of time. I believe that I will come back,” said Ramón Vargas after the concert.