Suddenly Prague is awash in modern music, this week with the Days of Contemporary Music destival. The four-night schedule is jam-packed with noteworthy ensembles, including the Apollon Quartet, Stamic Quartet, M. Nosticová Quartet and Ensemble Martinu. Bend your brain and ears with some unconventional sounds performed by homegrown musicians. Lichtenstejnsky´ palác and Konyervator a ladicská skola J. Deyla, Nov. 9–15 at 7:30

There may still be some tickets available for superstar tenor Rolando Villazón, who will be performing mostly selections from his Italian and French repertoire, backed by the Prague Philharmonia Orchestra. Don't be put off by last-row or balcony seats — this voice is going to sound good anywhere in the hall, and is not to be missed. Obeccní du?m, Nov. 11 at 7:30

One of the sublime pleasures of Prague during the gray days of fall and winter is Collegium Marianum Baroque concerts, held in the enchanting Baroque Library hall in Old Town. It should be interesting to see how this month's theme, "Naval Battles," sounds in an early music format. Keyboard player Monika Knoblochová solos on the fortepiano. Barokní knihovní sál, Nov. 13 at 7:30

If your tastes run more to Gregorian chants than Baroque chamber music, Prague Castle has a great double bill featuring Prague's Schola Gregoriana Pragensis choir and Austria's Ensemble Neuma. The program promises a concert and a procession, and the Romanesque Cellar offers a perfect setting for a re-creation of sacred medieval music. Románské sklepení, Stary´ královsky palác, Prague Castle, Nov. 13 at 7

DANCE

In its further exploration of ballets created by the famed Stuttgart Ballet choreographer John Cranko, the National Theater hosts the Czech premiere of Cranko's Onegin, with an arrangement created from work by Tchaikovsky, though not from his opera Eugene Onegin. Staged by Jane Bourne, who has done much to keep Cranko's choreography alive. Narodní divadlo, November 10 and 11 at 7, Nov. 13 at 2 and 7

THEATER

For those who have ever wondered if cabaret is really theater, head to Divadlo v dlouhé for a dose of Kabaret Vian-Cami. Vian is of course Boris Vian, the Renaissance man of existential Paris, whose raucous chansons did much to make Paris a capital of bebop. Cami is Pierre-Henri Cami, a genius of absurdist mini-plays. Divadlo v dlouhé, Nov. 16 at 7

Sprechen sie Deutsch? If you're a theater lover you'll need to scope out the Prague German Language Festival, which continues this week. Theaters from across Germany will be participating, and you'll even have the opportunity to see famed actors Armin Müller-Stahl and the diva of Deutschland, Hanna Schygulla, who will be appearing at Divadlo komedie. At various venues. Go to www.theater.cz/de/2005.htm for full details

JAZZ, ROCK, ETC.

Here's a chance to hear some great music and help a worthy cause: Stone Echoes, an evening of classical performances by the Czech Clarinet Quartet and members of the Prague Philharmonia Orchestra, will benefit the IMPULS Foundation, which helps victims of multiple sclerosis. The program features a multi-media blend of classical and world music and jazz interspersed with electronic music, films and animation. Divadlo Archa, Nov. 10 at 8

The Balkan-klezmer-jazz fusion that is the Matt Darriau's Paradox Trio arrives in town with its singular mix of rhythms and instruments. Fronted by über reed player Darriau, this American group makes "world music" that won't put you to sleep. Vsebarácnická rychta, Nov. 10 at 8

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