BIO

Jitka Hosprová symbolizes the contemporary dynamic rendition of classical music. Her passion for the viola makes audiences take notice of this overlooked instrument, explores fascinating viola literature and inspires composers to write new works of music.

Jitka studied at the Pilsen Conservatoire and graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague under the tutelage of doc. Jan Pěruška. After completing her studies, she took her viola play to perfection thanks to the guidance of Italian viola virtuoso Luigi Alberto Bianchi. During her studies, Jitka gained valuable international experience and received several significant awards both as soloist and as chamber music player. A founder member of the Bennewitz quartet, Jitka worked under the guidance of several world-famous quartets – Amadeus Quartet, Alban Berg Quartet, Smetana Quartet, and others. In 1999, she crowned the collaboration with a CD recorded in association with the L. Janáček, H. Krása and Pavel Haas quartets. The high qualities of her chamber music performance make her a frequent guest player in leading Czech quartets – Janáček Quartet, Wihan Quartet, Martinů Quartet, Epoque Quartet, Apollon Quartet. Together with harpist Kateřina Englichová and Luxembourg flautist Carlo Jans, she founded the Bohemia Luxembourg Trio in 2005, giving concerts all over Europe and releasing 2 CDs. Recently, Jitka has expanded the range of her chamber music projects, starting the Grand Duo with Italian violinist Maurizio Sciaretta, and the Pragart Trio with mezzo-soprano Eva Garajová and pianist Ivo Kahánek.

As a soloist, she has performed at various world-class music festivals – Présences, Rheingau Sommer, Kulturtage Dresden, Prague Spring, Prague Autumn, Český Krumlov, Moravian Autumn, Smetana’s Litomyšl , Dvořák Prague, March Music Days in Ruse, Santander, and others. She has given solo concerts in London, Vienna, Paris, Stockholm, Rome, Milan, Santiago de Chile, Brazil, Washington D.C., and New York. She has played in most European countries.

Jitka has performed on dozens of recordings and live concerts for Czech and French radio broadcasts. Many viola compositions were played in Czech or world premiere by her. Composers Zdeněk Lukáš, Jiří Teml, Josef Vejvoda, Emil Viklický, Lukáš Hurník, Eduard Douša, Adam Skoumal, Tomaž Svete and Gillaume Connesson dedicated their pieces to her. Jitka releases her CDs on Supraphon, Arco Diva and Multisonic labels.

Jitka Hosprová has performed with leading Czech and world orchestras – Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra ORF, Orchestre National de Lorrain, Orchestre de Pau, France Chamber Orchestra, Orchestre Anthanor Rome, Curitiba Symphony Orchestra, Prague Symphony Orchestra FOK, Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, Slovak Philharmonic, Belgian Philharmonic, Brno Philharmonic, Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Chamber Orchestra, Prague Philharmonia, The Czech Philharmonic Collegium, and many others. Jitka has shared the stage with prominent musicians and singers – Luigi Alberto Bianchi, Mario Hossen, Václav Hudeček, Ivan Ženatý, Štefan Margita, Adam Skoumal, Dante Millozzi, Eric le Sage, Jitka Čechová, Lubomír Brabec, and with distinguished conductors – Vladimir Ashkenazy, Elli Jaffe-Israel, Bertrand de Billy – UK, Jacques Mercier – FR, Rastislav Štúr, Massimiliano Matesic, Leoš Svárovský, Ondřej Kukal, Gian Luigi Zampieri, and others.

Jitka is the founder and director of Walking in Art music festival.

She plays a Czech-made viola by Petr Zdražil from 2012.