Czech Embassy announces the sudden death of conductor Petr Palka after Athens concert
Shortly after Petr Palka, the charismatic conductor of the Severacek Children’s Choir, conducted the spring concert for Elpida (the Association of Friends of Children with Cancer) at the Athens Concert Hall on March 23, he told Czech Ambassador Jana Bulenova that it had been «the happiest day of my musical life.» At his hotel later that evening he told his wife Sylvie – also a musician – that he felt «a little tired.» The couple went to bed but in the morning his wife could not awaken Palka, who was taken to hospital in a coma and admitted to intensive care but did not recover consciousness. The Czech Embassy released the following statement: «The Embassy of the Czech Republic deeply regrets to inform that the conductor of the Children’s Choir Severcak, Mr Petr Palka… suddenly passed away on April 4, 2006 in Athens at the age of 34. A memorial service for Mr Petr Palka will be held in the Cathedral of Aghios Dionysios (Saint Dennis) on Panepistimiou and Omirou streets in Athens, on Thursday April 13, 2006 from 6.00-7.00 p.m. The book of condolences will be open at Aghios Dionysios on Thursday April 13, 2006, from 9 a.m. to noon and 6-7.30 p.m.» Palka’s family have come to Athens and will accompany the body for the talented musician to his native Libereec in the Czech Republic, which is the base of the Children’s Choir.
