Karel Svoboda (19 December 1938, Prague - 28 January 2007, Jevany) was a Czech composer of film, television and musical theatre music whose melodies remain among the most enduring in 20th-century Czech popular culture. He scored the fairy-tale film Three Wishes for Cinderella, wrote the themes for Maya the Bee and Vicky the Viking, composed over 80 songs for Karel Gott, and from the 1990s created the blockbuster musicals Dracula, Monte Cristo and Golem. In total he signed the music for nearly 90 films and TV productions at home and abroad.
The musical Monte Cristo by Karel Svoboda will return to the Prague Congress Centre in December 2026, where it had its original premiere in 2000 - the new production directed by Filip Renč will have its premiere on December 4, 2026.
In January 2025, Czech media commemorated the 18th anniversary of Karel Svoboda's death; at the same time, the revival of the musical Monte Cristo at the Prague Congress Centre was announced.
The composer's son Petr Svoboda published a biographical book about his father and spoke openly about their relationship in an interview with the magazine Story.
In December 2023, 85 years had passed since Karel Svoboda's birth; Czech media recalled his legacy and his son Petr's controversial biography.
A film screening about Karel Gott at Kino Benešov, celebrating the legend of Czech popular music.
A concert by Czech composer and singer Karel Svoboda at the Metropol venue in České Budějovice.
Czech singer-songwriter Karel Svoboda performs his well-known songs in the atmospheric setting of Zábřeh castle courtyard.
A concert by Karel Svoboda in Blatná. The composer and singer will present his works at Kulturní Plantaž.
A concert by Czech singer-songwriter Karel Svoboda at the Masaryk Theatre in Jičín.
Concert by Czech composer and singer Karel Svoboda at Divadlo Pasáž in Třebíč.
A concert of Karel Svoboda's greatest hits performed with the Black Tower dance orchestra in Liberec. Organized by Wild Sticks.