Last summer Svěcený organized an inaugural series of eight classical concerts at Chodov, partly because it's near his home and he wanted to do something for the neighborhood and partly to slake the thirst for serious music in the city during July and August. It was a bigger success than anyone expected, prompting him to add two more concerts to this year's schedule.

The fortress is a cultural oddity, a reconstructed 14th-century roundhouse that over the centuries has served as a fortification, residence, religious site and government office building. Today it's a gem, housing a gallery, restaurant, small performance hall and enclosed courtyard, floating like an island in a sea of panelaks and rude highways in a nether region of Prague 4.

"I call it the UFO from the 14th century," laughs Svěcený. "It's round and especially at night, when it's lit up, it looks like something that landed from space. But playing there is magical."

Among the visiting stars this year: On July 28, dazzling harpist Kateřina Englichová joins Svěcený for an evening of solos and duets written by Czech and French composers. On Aug, 2, Jitka Navrátilová, one of the best harpsichord players in the country, plays Baroque with Svěcený. Cello whiz Jiří Bárta and pianist Marie Synková sit in Aug, 4 for an evening of Bach and Czech composers. And Aug. 16, TV Prima star Martina Kociánová, who also happens to be a good singer, joins Svěcený and the Amadeus Trio for an eclectic mix of Mozart, Rossini and Gershwin.

The ensemble nights are equally interesting. On Aug. 9, Svěcený's own group Jablkoň, which plays a unique blend of classical, folk and contemporary music, takes the stage. Two nights later the Czech Trio, one of the better chamber music ensembles in the country, joins Svěcený. And the closing concert Aug. 18 features Virtuosi Pragenses in a lively Baroque program.

All this is clearly a labor of love for Svěcený, who says his biggest thrill is when he's approached after the concerts by people who have just heard live classical music for the first time. "It's incredible, but I meet people who tell me they'd never go to the Rudolfinum — they only go to pop concerts," he says. "But this was the pop music of its time. And after they've heard it at Chodov, they tell me they'll come back."