One of the best parts of being an antique dealer is having the love of history and the story behind things--for me, this is the love of the story behind old buildings. Even more than my love of furniture or paintings is the story or "soul" behind a building.
Take as example Villa Bertramka located about a mile from the city center of Prague.
Dear Husbola and I spent a delightful evening there this spring.
Muzeum W. A. Mozarta a Manzelu Duskovych is a villa that in the late 1700s was a salon for artists and musicians. Purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Dusek in 1784, it was a meeting place for the arts and Mozart was a frequent visitor.
Our visit was in Bertramka's current incarnation as a special events venue and museum. We were treated to cocktails in the courtyard and a fabulous unexpected concert.
Martin Kos and Stepan Kos are two brothers--Martin plays the violin and Stepan the piano. They are both members of the Suk Chamber Orchestra and Martin is the concertmaster. In European orchestra circles, this equals Big Time.
There we were--in an upstairs room of the villa, our little group of perhaps 20 people--Listening to a delightful concert with warm late spring breezes wafting through the windows. Each selection was introduced by a vivacious woman, outfitted in sparkles and ruffles--who reminded me of Glenda the Good Witch.
Fabulous.
A great selection of Dvorak, Mozart and a new composer Sorry I Did Not Get the Name. Afterwards they stayed a few moments, but no typical Prima Donna nonsense of selling CDs or t-shirts or preening themselves in front of the crowd.
We adjourned to the courtyard for more wine and a buffet supper.
Now, can you see why we have such a Love Affair with the Czech Republic???
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