Young talent from Japan, the Czech Republic and other countries participate in the 14th Young Prague, or Mladá Praha, festival. Some of the concerts are out of town in scenic places like Frantiskovy Lázne and Litomysl. Prague events include a concert in the Klementinum Aug. 25 at 5 and the closing concert Aug. 30 at 7:30 in the Ceská národní banka.

Miroslawa Semeniuk-Podraza studied in Krakow and Vienna and has toured and recorded extensively. Now she is taking part in the 10th International Organ Festival with some 16th-century tablatures, toccatas by Buxtehude and J.S. Bach, Dance Pictures by Sawa, and a suite by Boellmann. Aug. 25 at 7, Bazilika sv. Jakuba

OPERA

To start the new season, the State Opera has gathered its standard productions of Italian operas together for the lucky 13th Festival of Italian Opera, which runs until Sept. 4.

THEATER

A musical version of Hamlet is presented in English. The play is adapted from Jan Ledecky´'s Czech version. Ledecky´, who usually plays the lead, moves over to the role of King Claudius. Hamlet will be played by Sebastian Arcelus, who had roles in Rent and Good Vibrations. See Stage, page B6. Aug. 24–27 at 8:30, Divadlo Kalich

Richard Nelson's Madame Melville looks at an American adolescent whose first romantic encounter is with an older woman in Paris in the 1960s. This performance is in Czech with English titles. Aug. 29 at 7, Svandovo divadlo

Puppetry and fairy-tale elements combine in Purple Sails (Nachové plachty), a floating show by the Forman brothers and Cabaret Theatre Dromesko on a converted cargo boat. Prague shows are sold out. See Stage, page B2. Aug. 29–Sept. 2 at 9, Tajemství boat (nábrezí Ludvíka Svobody, between Stefánikuv most and botel Albatros)

JAZZ, ROCK, ETC.

Actually from Norway, the Greenland Whalefishers play traditional sea songs, perhaps a Pogues cover or two and original works on an instrument lineup that includes a mandolin and tin whistle. Aug. 25 at 7:30, Rock Café

The French Culture Ministry recently named Patti Smith a Commandeur of the Order of Arts and Letters. She also has a new CD called Trampin'. The concert is sold out. See Stage, page B5. Aug. 26 at 8, Divadlo Archa

The original incarnation of progressive rock band Modry´ efekt started in the late 1960s. The current lineup of what is now Blue Effect features original guitarist Radim Hladík, who really can play, and some impressive younger talent. Aug. 30 at 9, Vagon

The members of Korn first got together in the dismal town of Bakersfield, California. They eventually moved to Los Angeles and released their first CD of hip-hop and funk-influenced metal in 1994. They've been busy enough to already have a greatest hits collection. Aug. 30 at 8, T-Mobile Arena

OTHER

The area around Hanvasky´ pavilón on the west edge of Letná Park has several tents for the Letní Letna festival of circus, theater and music that has already started and runs until Sept. 4. The main attraction is France's Cirque Baroque performing Ningen, a circus show about Japanese author Yukio Mishima. Ningen runs from Aug. 29 through the end of the festival at 9.

OUT OF TOWN

Celtic culture is taking root again in Bohemia. Highland Games Sychrov has traditional dancing and music, competitions, children's activities, fireworks, and more. The festival began in 2001 and now attracts thousands of visitors. Aug. 27 at 10 a.m., Sychrov Castle, near Turnov