Crocodile Orchestra • Concert for International Students’ Day • Ardašev, Al-Ashhab

Crocodile Orchestra invites you to a gala concert on the occasion of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day and International Students’ Day, to be held on Tuesday, 17 November 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at Besední dům in Brno.

The events of November 1939 and November 1989 are defining milestones in the history of our democracy, and in both of them students played a decisive part. In the spirit of this tradition, our student orchestra is honoured to take the initiative and commemorate the public holiday of 17 November with a gala concert.

The evening is distinguished by the collaboration of the young musicians of Crocodile Orchestra with internationally acclaimed soloists: pianist Igor Ardašev and violinist Milan Al-Ashhab.
The programme opens with Suk’s Meditation on the Old Czech Chorale “St. Wenceslas”, a work that embodies national unity. In Mendelssohn’s Concerto for Violin, Piano and String Orchestra in D minor, the experience and virtuosity of the soloists meet the youthful energy of the orchestra. The second half of the evening is devoted to Suk’s Serenade for Strings in E-flat major, whose warmth and radiance form the optimistic culmination of the entire festive occasion.

The aim of the young musicians is to extend the nationwide celebrations beyond the capital and to offer Brno a distinctive cultural and social evening, the like of which has not yet been seen in the region.