copyright Suchi

With a name like “Viva Musica!” you might think that you were attending one of those huge summer music festivals in Barcelona or Paris. But no, this outdoor offering of jazz and classical music takes place in a city quite on the other side of Europe. Welcome to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, which is the other, lesser known half of former duo Czechoslovakia. These concerts put a lively twist on classical, opera and jazz favorites and will be played in the city’s Main Square and the Old Town Hall courtyard, from July 24 through August 1. Only a few of the concerts playing on July 27-30 are not free, but tickets cost less than 4 pounds and are available to purchase at the Main Square. The city itself is rather inexpensive, so traipse around by tram or foot, or head down to the Danube River in between a lineup that will present musicians, both international and local, including Russian cellist Tatjana Vassiljeva, Argentinian songstress Sandra Rumolino, and local funky jazz group Bashavel.