This has not escaped the notice of the more enlightened members of the city's music community, who are making heroic efforts to fill the gap. Ilja Šmíd, director of the Prague Philharmonia orchestra, took a first step last year with the Prague Music Festival, a six-concert series he organized in early July. He's back this year with a more ambitious schedule — 10 concerts featuring outstanding Czech orchestras and soloists culled from around the country.

"Prague needs this type of summer festival," says Šmíd, who considered dropping it when his government funding was cut by more than half this year. But his instincts got the better of him. "This is my life; I love to organize concerts," he says. "And I had money from the city of Prague, which is not easy to get. Finally I told myself, 'you must do this.'"

It helps that Šmíd is personal friends with many of the orchestra directors and performers who will appear at the festival — such as violinist Václav Hudeček, playing with the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra of Olomouc July 30. Czech folklore specialist Jaroslav Krček, whose Christmas concerts in Prague are sellouts every year, is another good friend. He was at last year's festival, and returns with his colorful Musica Bohemia ensemble this year for an evening of sacred music at the Church of Our Lady Before Tyn (Aug. 3).

The soloists run the gamut from young stars just beginning their careers to well-established pros. Among the latter are Antonín Kubálek, the famous Czech pianist who emigrated to Canada, playing the opening concert with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra July 22, and harpist Jana Boušková, playing with the Talich Chamber Orchestra. Up-and-comers include Prague Philharmonia cellist Lukáš Pospíšil (Aug. 11), clarinet player and Prague Spring competition winner Kateřina Váchová (Aug. 4) and pianist Václav Mácha (Aug. 6).

In terms of programming, there is something for everyone. Each concert features one well-known work, like a Beethoven or Mozart symphony, paired with one or more lesser-known pieces. "These are very friendly concerts, not only for classical music fans," Šmíd says. "I think anyone can attend and have a good experience with this music."

Not to mention support a worthy cause. With Collegium Marianum's excellent early music festival hitting higher standards every summer, and Prague Proms coming online this year, what was once a desperately dry music season is turning into a good time to stay in town. And it promises to get better. Šmíd is talking to other festival organizers about coordinating their schedules, or at least performance dates, so that there's no overlap. And everyone is talking about moving concerts outside, as many American orchestras do during the summer.