They are key players on the European baroque music scene: Václav Luks founded the baroque orchestra Collegium 1704 in 1990. For the Bach-Prague-2005 project, he reorganised the ensemble and founded the vocal ensemble Collegium Vocale 1704. The Collegium Vocale complements the instrumental Collegium 1704, making it possible to perform large-scale vocal works. Václav Luks is also the director of the combined ensemble, which celebrates its jubilee this year. Planned anniversary projects include the performance and recording of Jan Dismas Zelenka’s Missa Circumcisionis. In 2025, in addition to the established concerts in Prague and Dresden, performances at renowned festivals and in major European concert venues are scheduled, e.g. in Salzburg, Vienna, Berlin, Hamburg, Brussels, Amsterdam, Warsaw and Versailles.

The launch of the Music Bridge Prague – Dresden concert series in 2008 revived a historic connection between the two cities. In 2012 Collegium 1704 started its own concert cycles at the Rudolfinum in Prague – with collaborations with renowned soloists including Magdalena Kožená and Vivica Genaux. Since 2015, the concert series in Prague and Dresden form a joint season. In 2021, Collegium 1704 opened the Prague Spring Festival with Smetana’s »Má vlast«.

The ensemble has also made a name for itself with opera productions: Handel’s »Rinaldo« (2009) was followed by Mysliveček’s »L’Olimpiade«, nominated for the International Opera Awards, the modern premiere of Vivaldi’s »Arsilda, regina di Ponto« and Handel’s »Alcina«, among others. In 2025, the ensemble presents a new production of Mozart’s »Le nozze di Figaro« in Brno and Caen.

Invitations to international venues including at the Salzburg Festival, the Berlin Philharmonie, Wigmore Hall London, the Lucerne Festival, the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, BOZAR Brussels and the Bachfest Leipzig are proof of the ensemble’s artistic appeal. The ensemble also appears in film and media productions – for example in Gluck’s »Orfeo ed Euridice«, in the BBC documentary »Mozart in Prag« with Rolando Villazón and in the award-winning theatrical film »Il Boemo« about the life of Josef Mysliveček.

The Collegium 1704’s discography has won numerous prizes, including the Diapason d’or, Gramophone’s Editor’s Choice and the Trophées 2020 for the opera  »Les Boréades« by Jean-Philippe Rameau. Other highlights include Handel’s Messiah (first Czech complete recording), Bach’s Mass in B minor, works by Zelenka and violin concertos by Mysliveček.