opera

World famous Hungarian Opera house might be closed for several years!

It looks like not only will the cost of renovating the Opera house double, but it will be closed for years to come. The management of the Opera house does not support the plan.

No one argued that the Opera house needed to be renovated. Not only did the aged gilding, the worn down restrooms, or the cracks in the Lotz-frescoes need some refreshing, but the creaking, sometimes stopping stage technology required to be changed as well. The uniting of the costume storage and the storage of the half dozen rented decorations needed to be solved as well as the placement of the 11, often windowless workshops, reported hvg.hu.

Szilveszter Ókovács, the director, dreamed big, and six years ago had planned to solve the latter first. At the end of 2014, he got the most beautiful building of MÁV’s Northern Vehicle Repair on Kőbánya road, the 25 square meters, five boat hall which was designed by Eiffel Offices. The storages would move there, and a rehearsal stage would be built, which would have partially replaced the Opera house while it was undergoing renovations. The planned cost of the two projects combined did not reach 20 billion forints ( around €61,379,215) in 2013.

But of course, it did not go as planned. In two years’ time, the cost was already nearing 28 billion forints (€85,938,875), and by 2018, they were calculating 30 billion (€92,077,366) just for the Opera house.

And now, it looks like additional billions are needed for the project. From government sources, HVG knows that next week, two proposals will be presented to the Cabinet. One of them calculates with an 11 billion forint (€33,766,545) extra costs, and with a 2020 reopening. This includes the renovations of the Lotz-frescoes and the other monuments. But the government is also in negotiations for a much bigger plan that would cost between 23-24 billion forints (€70,604,517-73,674,280), in which the facade statues are included to be renewed as well, and a museum would also be established.

The Eiffel-hall is still not ready, but the budget has gone up to 17.5 billion forints (€53,730,393). That is why the government is also negotiating the Eiffel’s case. Two versions will be presented to Viktor Orbán in this case, too. According to one of them, 3-4 billion forints (€9,210,409-12,280,545) is necessary to finish everything up, and if the government chooses this, the Opera will be able to use the Eiffel in a year. But there is also a plan B – which would cost an additional 10 billion (€30,701,364), the Opera house is rooting for this version. This would include a complete utility replacement, and even a music school would get a place.

This way, the original 20-billion-forint (€61,379,215) plan, about tripled by now, and who knows where it will stop. And there is no clear answer as to when the institution will reopen, either.

Read about Hungary’s most beautiful buildings, including the Opera house HERE.

July 12, 2019

The 5 most beautiful buildings in Budapest that you must visit

Hungary has a long, rich history, and it’s capital, Budapest, stirs up visions of mystery and romance on its famous river, the Danube. Nicknamed the “Heart of Europe” this Eastern European city has everything to offer a traveler from gorgeous outdoor spaces to impressive architecture and gives visitors a wide array of cultural experiences and flavors to explore … if you know the right places to look, that is. If find yourself lucky enough to land in this special destination, be sure to check out our top 5 most beautiful buildings listed below. Just grab your camera, your walking shoes and a friend or two and revel in all that Hungarian architecture has to offer.

The Hungarian State Opera House

This Neo-Renaissance opera house was built in 1875 and is located in the heart of Budapest. This ornately decorated building is considered by some to be among the finest opera houses in the world in terms of beauty and acoustics. Its symmetrical exterior was designed to encompass a musical theme, and has statues of two of Hungary’s most prominent composers (Franz Liszt and Ferenc Erkel) in niches flanked on either side. It features a variety of Baroque elements as well, and its foyer is decorated with marble columns, a giant bronze chandelier in the main hall and a variety of art pieces including sculptures and paintings from leading Hungarian figures. A mural of the nine muses by artists Mor Than and Bertalan Székely can be viewed just by looking up at the vaulted ceiling. One of the most breathtaking sights to see in the opera house is it’s sweeping marble staircase which gives the entrance a grand and impressive feel.

St. Stephen’s Basilica

This Roman Catholic basilica was named after the first King of Hungary, Saint Stephen I (975-1038), and was built in the Neo-Classical style, and is currently the third largest church building in Hungary. It is also one of the two tallest buildings in Budapest at 315 feet.

Many travel experts will tell you that this is one of the most significant attractions to visit in all of Hungary, not just for its beauty, but for its historic value. It took more than 50 years to construct this ambitious limestone structure and features two bell towers in a Greek cross ground plan. Visitors can view a variety of sculptures of saints, elaborately decorated domes and stained glass windows. Most intriguing of all is a dimly lit area in the center of the basilica which is said to contain the “incorruptible” mummified right hand of Saint Stephen himself!

Museum of Ethnography

The Museum of Ethnography (or Ethnographic Museum) is another impressive must-see building on our list, and features Hungarian folk objects from the 19th century. Founded in 1872, this museum includes objects that depict everyday life of Hungarian citizens before World War II, like a model of a churches well as a model of a kitchen. Visitors can also view costumes, boats, pottery, furniture and more, with many of these objects coming from Upper Hungary and Transylvania. One of the hallmarks of the interior style of this Neo-Renaissance building is that it boasts beautiful marble embellishments, including marble staircases and spacious galleries. Visitors can also enjoy statues, columns, ornate stain glass windows and breathtaking ceiling frescoes.

The Museum of Applied Arts

The third largest applied arts museum in the world,

The Museum of Applied Arts was constructed in the Art Nouveau style and features a wide array of visual delights. Built in 1896, it features a signature green roof and an eclectic mix of interior decor from Islamic, Hindu and Mogul designs. At the time this building was constructed and decorated, ethnographers wrongly assumed that Hungary shared a common history with India and Persian cultures, and as a result, used motifs found common in these civilizations to ornately embellish the museum. This can also be noted in the entryway, which was modeled after the Taj Mahal, making this a truly unique and must-see building. Other exterior features to note include an ornate rooftop lantern, detailed ceilings and a library. There are also a wide variety of furniture pieces, textiles, metalwork and glass housed at the museum for visitors to view.

The House of Parliament

The House of Parliament is situated along the banks of the Danube, and was constructed in the Gothic Revival style by Hungarian architect Imre Steindl. It is currently the largest building in all of Hungary, and one of the tallest (along with St. Stephen’s Basilica) at 315 feet. Visitors may note its resemblance to Westminster Palace, which should come as no surprise; this nod to the famed British building was intentional, and meant to elevate the building’s importance. Featuring a symmetrical facade and central dome, the exterior boasts statues of national rulers and military figures, as well as a coat of arms.

székely szekler flag parliament Budapest — Photo by Daily News Hungary

Two impressive lion statues also flank the eastern staircase. In all, the building contains 242 statues inside and out. Upon entering the building, visitors are greeted by an ornamental staircase, elaborate frescoes, and the bust of the building architect (Steindl) is also on display.

Stained glass mosaics can also be found throughout this massive structure which contains 13 elevators, 10 courtyards, 29 staircases and nearly 700 rooms in all.

Budapest parliament winter Danube — Photo: Alpár Kató – Daily News Hungary ©

If you are a history buff, architecture aficionado or lover of the arts, Budapest and it’s many beautiful buildings has something to offer for every visitor. Whether you want to stroll along the banks of the Danube at night and bask in the reflected glow of the Parliament’s lights, or climb the bell towers of St. Stephen’s Basilica to take in a 360-degree view of the city, our top 5 pick of Budapest’s must-see structures are sure to have something to pique your interest. Picturesque, rich in culture and full of off the beaten paths sights to see, be sure to give these destinations a go on your next trip to the Pearl of the Danube.

July 2, 2019

The Hungarian State Opera’s production of a new Mozart piece premieres on OperaVision

The Hungarian State Opera returns to the platform of OperaVision on 21 June 2019 with a rarity: the recent world premiere production of L’oca del Cairo, ossia Lo sposo deluso created from two fragments by Mozart will be available for six months.

In 1783, Mozart set himself to composing two new operas, but gave up on both of them. After completing nearly all of the first of the planned three acts of L’oca del Cairo, Mozart dropped the work owing to textual problems. He then set to work on the opera
buffa Lo sposo deluso, but did not complete this work either.

The musical style of the two abandoned comedies can be considered a forerunner to both Figaro and Così, and sometimes one can even recognise the world of Don Giovanni. Although the completed parts were never staged in Mozart’s lifetime, since his death, several successful pasticcios have been made of them. None, however,
attempted to integrate only the two artistic fragments dating from the same period, even though there are possible points of connections, and the similarities of their stories to Seraglio is marvellous.

An idea cherished by General Director Szilveszter Ókovács for 25 years, the Hungarian State Opera presented Mozart’s thus-far unknown operatic work and, under the baton of Pál Németh and in a production directed by Attila Toronykőy, to inaugurate
the theatre hall of the Eiffel Art Studios in Budapest with it in April 2019.

Cast: István Kovács (Don Pippo), Anikó Bakonyi (Celidora), Gergely Biri (Calandrino), János Szerekován (Lionetto), Zita Váradi (Lavina), Péter Balczó (Biondello), Bori Keszei (Auretta), Máté Fülep (Chichibio)

Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus (chorus director: Gábor Csiki).

Conductor: Pál Németh

Further information: www.operavision.eu

June 22, 2019

Puccini Festival at the Hungarian State Opera: 18 May – 10 June 2019

At the end of its Puccini’s Italy season, the Hungarian State Opera organises its traditional end-of-the-year festival at the turn of May and June.

The three-week Puccini Festival aims to do what no institute has ever done before: to showcase all Puccini’s stage and vocal works. Apart from his 11 operas, audiences get the chance to hear a different Puccini: songs, arias, special events, and spectacular productions will feature the best Hungarian artists along with international guest stars.

As the reconstruction of the Opera House in Budapest is still undergoing, our performances can be seen at the Erkel Theatre and the newly opened Eiffel Art Studios.

See our promotional video here:

THE HUNGARIAN STATE OPERA ANNOUNCES 2019/20 CHRISTIAN SPIRIT SEASON – Read more HERE!

May 7, 2019

World premiere of Kurtag’s Fin de Partie awarded at International Opera Awards

György Kurtág’s Fin de Partie in Milan won the prize for the best world premiere at the International Opera Awards in London late on Monday.

Fin de Partie was Kurtág’s first opera, commissioned and staged in 2018 by the Teatro della Scala, Milano, Italy.

He adapted Samuel Beckett’s play Endgame as a one-act piece.

At the International Opera Awards gala, Lithuanian soprano Asmik Grigorian won the prize for best female singer and US tenor Charles Castronovo was named best male singer. The prize for best opera company went to the Belgian Opera Vlaaderen.

The International Opera Awards was founded by billionaire philanthropist Harry Hyman in 2012.

April 30, 2019

The Hungarian State Opera announces 2019/20 Christian Spirit Season

Having celebrated the Puccini anniversaries, with its new season the Hungarian State Opera will introduce the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress that is to take place in Budapest in 2020. The Opera announces its Christian Spirit Season as a monumental prologue to this significant event. At the Erkel Theatre and the newly opened Eiffel Art Studios, productions are to be staged that have either been inspired by biblical stories, or those that convey Christian ideas and values in more indirect ways, but also ones which debate them.

Premieres

Opera premieres: The Christian Spirit Season aims to showcase 400 years of opera from Monteverdi to contemporary works. In its new season, the Opera will see such important operas return to stage as Parsifal or Don Carlo, as well as Die Entführung aus dem Serail in the OperAdventure series. Fans of opera will again have the opportunity to get to know pieces like Mathis der Maler and Dead Man Walking, neither of which have so far been performed in Hungary. They can also discover operas that have not been performed for decades, and many popular ones can be heard in reorchestrated versions.

THE MASTER AND MARGARITA / L’INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA / FANTASIO / FORTUNIO /MESSIAH / MATHIS DER MALER / DEAD MAN WALKING / TANTE SIMONA / LE LUTHIER DE CRÉMONE / THE JEWELER’S SHOP / PARSIFAL / DIE ENTFÜHRUNG AUS DEM SERAIL / DON CARLO / CROSS CANTATAS / STEPHEN, THE KING

Ballet premieres: With the 2019/2020 premieres, the Hungarian National Ballet will mostly conquer the new Bánffy Stage to expand their repertoire with exciting new choreographies, including several Hungarian and world premieres. For fans of more classical pieces, the company will also stage a spectacular show: after a hiatus of some decades, Laurencia will return in a new production to the Erkel Theatre.

EPISODE 31 / CHROMA / LAURENCIA / FIREBIRDS / MISA CRIOLLA / NAVIDAD NUESTRA / JOYFUL!

For detailed information on the premiere productions CLICK HERE.

Repertoire

During the new season, while the Opera House is still under restoration, it is the Erkel Theatre that offers nearly 300 programmes. It is here that the most spectacular operas and ballets as well as grand operettas, oratorios and concert performances can be seen. The new venue of the Opera, the Eiffel Art Studios await a smaller audience more committed to less mainstream genres. It is they the Bánffy Stage has been built for: a huge orchestra pit and stage along with a more intimate auditorium seating 400 to be the venue for baroque opera adaptations, 20th century music, and contemporary works including contemporary dance pieces – sometimes at matinées, mostly in the evening, and occasionally at night.

For the 2019/20 repertoire pieces CLICK HERE.

April 14, 2019

La Gioconda returns to the Erkel Theatre in a new production

As part of its season dedicated to Puccini’s Italy, the Hungarian State Opera presents La Gioconda, the most famous opera by Puccini’s master, Amilcare Ponchielli.

The piece that is complex in plot and enthralling in music returns to the Erkel Theatre, Budapest after a hiatus of twenty years in a new production staged by András Almási-Tóth.

“This opera is performed rarely although it has a great performance tradition. It ought to be a discovery for those who hear it for the first time, whereas those familiar with the piece might also experience a revelation,”

says Almási-Tóth, artistic director of the Hungarian State Opera since July 2018. In his opinion, La Gioconda is an atmospheric opera based on enormous chasms between people and their emotions. The complicated plot posed a challenge to the director, who chose to create an abstract space.

In a traditional Venetian scenery the movements of the characters are obstructed by water and bridges as well as a mysterious wooden box representing ‘family’. All this serves as a perfect background in which eternal human relationships are scrutinised. According to the director “In our world, people cannot connect. Therefore, they attempt to find the most impossible ways to find each other.”

Venue: Erkel Theatre

Premiere: 22 February 2019

Further dates: 24, 18 February & 3, 6, 10 March 2019

Cast: Eszter Sümegi as Gioconda, Bernadett Wiedemann as La Cieca, Alexandru Agache as Barnaba, Gergely Boncsér as Enzo Grimaldi, Erika Gál as Laura Adorno, Krisztián Cser as Alvise Badoero

Director: András Almási-Tóth
Set designer: Éva Szendrényi
Costume designer: Bori Tóth
Lighting designer: Tamás Bányai
Choreographer: Dóra Barta
Artistic consultant: Éva Marton
Dramaturg: Judit Kenesey
Chorus director: Gábor Csiki
Conductor: Gergely Kesselyák

January 21, 2019

Premiere at the Erkel Theather – Giacomo Puccini: The Girl of the Golden West

Following extensive touring, the Hungarian State Opera returns to the Erkel Theatre to begin its 135th season dedicated to Puccini and his contemporaries. The first new production to honour the life and works of the Italian genius is La fanciulla del West staged by Vasily Barkhatov.

Still in his mid-30s, Moscow-born Vasily Barkhatov is engaged to direct successful operas across Russia and Europe while also remaining active in spoken word theatre and film work. With productions at Saint Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre, the Lithuanian National Opera and Deutsche Oper Berlin to his name – just to name a few – the Golden Mask-winning director makes his debut at the Erkel Theatre with La fanciulla del West.

Barkhatov, who has directed contemporary and classical operas, loves challenges and tries to find the realistic motivations behind every happening on stage. His new production will not be a traditional one but at the same time it will respect Puccini’s intentions. The set and costumes do not intend to evoke the universe of Western films, the visual design takes audiences closer to reality. The multi-storey pipe system to appear on stage allows a glimpse into a crowded refugee camp where people arrive with the hope of a better future.

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Puccini’s opera was last performed at the Hungarian State Opera in the 1970s, now it returns in spectacular form to the stage of the Erkel Theatre.

Venue: Erkel Theatre, Budapest

Premiere: 1 December 2018
Further dates: 4, 6, 9, 13, 16 December 2018 & 22, 24 May 2019

November 17, 2018

Hungarian opera roadshow premieres in New York

Hungarian President János Áder and his wife, Anita Herczegh, on Tuesday attended the premiere of Ferenc Erkel’s opera Bánk bán in New York’s Lincoln Centre, produced by the Hungarian Opera House.

Ahead of the performance, the Hungarian mission to the UN held a commemoration of the 1956 anti-Soviet uprising. Katalin Bogyay, Hungary’s ambassador to the UN, said at the event that a desire for independence, patriotism and the fight against foreign powers were common features to the uprising, t

he story of Bánk bán which is set in the 13th century, and that of setting up an Opera house in Budapest in the 19th century.

Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN, Alison Smale, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, UN ambassadors and Hungarian government officials attended the event.

Featured image: www.facebook.com/Operaház

October 31, 2018

Bluebeard100 Festival at the Erkel Theatre

On the 100th anniversary of the premiere of Béla Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle, the Hungarian State Opera stages a brand new version by Kasper Holten as well as showcases legendary productions paired with contemporary companion pieces between 24 May and 5 June 2018.

The conception of Béla Bartók’s first and only one-act opera was an arduous process.

It spent seven years in the drawer of his desk after the competition it was written for had ended, and it was exactly a hundred years ago when it was finally premiered at the Opera House.

But it was only the 1936 revival that brought real success to the unique and unrepeatable masterpiece, which has been performed around the world starting in the second half of the 20th century. The early literal readings and interpretations as a mystery play were soon replaced by the projection of the internal message: two people in love struggling with each other and their eventual disappointment. This perspective makes Bluebeard’s Castle one of the most important works to focus on psychology, and one that can be performed anywhere – nowadays, fortunately, mainly in Hungarian.

During the Bluebeard100 programme series adudiences can see this opera in three different versions: on 24 May, for the 100th anniversary of its premiere, a new version is staged by internationally acclaimed director Kasper Holten.

On 4 & 5 June, two legendary productions are revived. Bartók’s piece is paired with contemporary companion pieces every night.

24, 28, 29 May 2018
Péter Eötvös: Senza sangue – concert performance; for the first time at the Opera
Béla Bartók: Bluebeard’s Castle – new production directed by Kasper Holten
Conductor: Péter Eötvös

4 June 2018
Iván Madarász: Prologue – concert version; world premiere
Béla Bartók: Bluebeard’s Castle – directed by Viktor Nagy
Conductor: Ádám Medveczky

5 June 2018
Gergely Vajda: Barbie Blue – concert performance; for the first time at the Opera
Béla Bartók: Bluebeard’s Castle – directed by Miklós Szinetár
Conductor: Gergely Vajda

May 17, 2018

Vietnamese man singing for us in his new country, Hungary

I came to Hungary because singing opera is much easier here

Four years ago his Bánk bán aria was a huge success: hundreds of thousands of shares on social media.

Ninh Duc Hoang Long has been living in Hungary for 5 years now. He came here to study because, as he says, opera education in Vietnam is not as good as it is here, in Hungary, and it is easier for him to sing opera in Hungarian than in his mother tongue. Now his amazing performance during the talent show called Virtuózok brought tears to our eyes and szeretlekmagyarország.hu published an interview with him.

Why did you move from Vietnam to Budapest?

I was studying at the Academy of Music in Vietnam and got a scholarship that gave me the opportunity to learn music in Hungary.

You signed up to learn Hungarian at the Balassi Institute in 2013. How challenging was it to learn this new language?

When I first arrived here, I had to study Hungarian language and literature, history and social studies. I learned a lot about Hungary. I got to meet some really nice teachers, I love the city and the people who live here. When I went back to Vietnam for a concert I immediately started missing Budapest.

Hungary is my second home.

You have mentioned before how thankful you are for your teachers. How is the education of music different here than what you experienced in Vietnam?

I had some very good teachers at home, too. There is a Vietnamese proverb that says that if you do not polish your precious stones, they will not become beautiful. That is why I moved here. I wanted a clean slate and soon I started studying with my teachers Atilla Kiss B. and Dalma Cseh. They are the ones writing on my clean slate.

They share their knowledge with me not only about music but also about life. They teach with all their hearts, I could not have done this without them.

4 years ago you sang Hazám, hazám in the Balassi Institute, and the video spread like wildfire. How did you find this aria and what kind of preparations did you need to sing it?

I wanted to know what the most popular aria in Hungary was and one of my friends showed me this. I was watching the performance of Atilla Kiss B. and I knew it was incredibly hard but it was so beautiful. So I learned it and later I even sang Hazám, hazám in a Vietnamese TV show.

Bank bán is a very patriotic opera, the same as János vitéz, the aria that you performed in Virtuózok. It is heartwarming for us, Hungarians, to watch you sing them. How do you feel when you are singing in Hungarian?

It is very important for me to make a connection with other souls. I think that the aria Hazám, hazám is perfect for me, because I, too, am wandering, just like Bánk. That is how I give passion to my singing. I spent a lot of time learning the lyrics to get it right.

I want to sing this in a TV show someday, in Hungarian, so that the people can see that I am the kind of immigrant who loves this country, and I want to show the results of my hard work.

You have been singing in many languages, from many opera composers. Do you feel the same way when you are singing in your mother tongue and when you are singing a Puccini or Donizetti aria in its original language, or Kukorica Jancsi in Hungarian?

When I sing in Hungarian, Italian or French, I have the lyrics in my head in my language. Unfortunately it is difficult to sing classical music in Vietnamese, because the language itself has a different melody. On the other hand, Vietnamese folk music is really beautiful, plus we have a Vietnamese version of Szomorú vasárnap (Gloomy Sunday).

Do you have favourites from Hungarian music and literature?

It is very hard for me to read in Hungarian, but I know of Sándor Petőfi, and one of my friends translated Nemzeti dal for me. My favourite Is Ferenc Erkel, but I think Liszt is also wonderful.

What are your plans for the future? How long do you want to stay in Hungary?

I graduated last June from the Academy of Music, and now I am working on my Master’s degree. I plan on learning several opera pieces and going to auditions.

My dream is to perform as an opera singer in the Hungarian State Opera House.

What was your first thought when you saw Erika Miklósa crying after your performance in Virtuózok?

When I was singing in front of the judges, I already knew that Erika Miklósa was a legend, the famous Queen of the Night. When I saw her crying, I was so happy, because I understood that I managed to form a connection with her soul. My only fear was that I would forget the lyrics…

Here is a video of Ninh Duc Hoang Long singing in Hungarian:

Featured image: MTI/Zoltán Gergely Kelemen

May 9, 2018

Heroes’ Square to host concerts, performances in June

Heroes’ Square in Budapest is hosting concerts of Emir Kusturica’s No Smoking Orchestra, the Visegrad Dance Carnival and the premiere of the rock opera Trianon on June weekends, organisers said on Friday.

On June 15, Serbian director and musician Emir Kusturica’s No Smoking Orchestra will perform with Hungarian groups Szalonna and Koló Zenekar, combining Hungarian and southern Slavic music.

June 17 will see the premiere of the Visegrad Dance Carnival, featuring several hundred dancers and musicians combining Hungarian, Slovak, Czech and Polish folk music and dance, with a special emphasis on Gypsy art within these countries.

On June 22 and 23, Gábor Koltay’s rock opera Trianon will premiere at Heroes’ Square, featuring 15 singers, 20 actors, 100 extras and 30 riders on horses as well as 40 acrobats in a production costing 400 million forints (EUR 1.3m), organisers said. Read more here: Trianon rock opera.

May 4, 2018

Porgy and Bess®: the new Hungarian State Opera production

The first premier at the Hungarian State Opera might go down in opera history as a world sensation. András Almási-Tóth is to put The Gershwins®’ Porgy and Bess® on stage with Hungarian singers at the Erkel Theatre thus breaking the restriction of lmost forty years that only allowed all-black casts to perform the piece.

When George Gershwin’s masterpiece Porgy and Bess®was first produced in 1935, some – misunderstanding the intention of the composer – felt aggrieved at the prejudice strengthening against Afro-Americans.

Nothing could be further from Gershwin, who had studied their music for a long time, but to prevent their emancipation.

With the operatic hit like I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ or Summertime that had such success as pop chart hits, the composer managed to put the Afro-American culture into the spotlight.

As an act in favour of the emancipation the librettist (and brother) of the composer, Ira Gershwin introduced the rule of the all-black cast in the 1980s, a few years before his death. Before this rule was introduced, the Hungarian State Opera had put Gershwin’s piece on stage with its own artists in the 1970s. Although this production, directed by András Mikó even had a revival a decade later, in the past four decades neither the Hungarian State Opera, nor any other company were not allowed to put Porgy and Bess®on stage if not complying with the rules.

This restriction is broken by the Hungarian State Opera in January 2018 following a two-year negotiation with the copyright holders. Having got the permission, the Opera produces the Gershwins®’ masterpiece with excellent Hungarian singers. Hopefully, this historic and sensational premiere can pave the way for other opera companies in the world so that this brilliant opera can be heard in more and more places.

Venue: Erkel Theatre

Premiere: 27 January 2018
Further performances: 28 January, 1, 8 February 2018

For cast and creative CLICK HERE.

“The worldwide copyrights in the music of George and Ira Gershwin® for this presentation are licensed by the Gershwin Family.”

UPDATE

According to Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc.:

The Hungarian State Opera did not receive permission to produce Porgy And Bess with a cast of Hungarian singers.

“The manner in which this production of Porgy And Bess is being produced is unauthorized and is contrary to the requirements for the presentation of the work.”

January 14, 2018

Swedish Nomad: 55 reasons to visit Hungary

by SWEDISH NOMAD (Guest author)

Ever since I found out about my Hungarian ancestry as a kid, I’ve been inspired to learn more and eager to visit Hungary. In the recent years, I’ve been exploring the country quite a lot, and last summer, especially when Christine and I did a road trip by train from Budapest to Eger, Miskolc, Tokaji, Debrecen and back to Budapest!

This article is a tribute to my Hungarian heritage and my grandfather Géza Waltner, who lives in the small but charming town of Sajószentpéter.

If you haven’t yet been, I urge you to go and experience all that Hungary has to offer. Here are 55 reasons why I think everyone should visit Hungary at least once in their life!

1. FOOD

One of the first things that come to mind when I think about Hungary is the food. There are so many delicious and flavorful dishes to try. Below are some notable dishes that are traditional in the Hungarian kitchen: Pörkölt, Gulyás, Halászlé, Meggyleves, Rakott Krumpli, Húsleves, Töltött Paprika, Lecsó, Paprikás Csirke, Töltött káposzta.

2. ESZTERGOM

An old city that already existed during Roman times and the former capital of Hungary between the 900’s and 1200’s, before King Bela IV moved the capital to Buda. The famous basilica is also the largest church in all of the country.

Esztergom is surely another good reason to visit Hungary beyond Budapest!

3. FISHERMAN’S BASTION

Few attractions have caught my eyes like the Fisherman’s Bastion and Mathias Church next to it. This place is like taken out of a fairytale, but it’s very real, and you can walk here yourself. If you come here early in the morning, you can almost imagine walking around in a scene from the Lord of the Rings!
fisherman’s bastion

4. TOKAJI ASZU

Probably the best sweet wine in the world. It’s so delicious. The first time you try it, make sure to select a good quality Tokaji Aszu with at least 5 puttonyos. Read more HERE.

tokaj aszúwine Hungary — Photo: Furmint Photo

5. ARCHITECTURE

Everywhere you go in Hungary, you will see old and beautiful architecture. In Budapest, you can walk around a whole day, just looking at old buildings and still haven’t seen them all. But also in other cities you will see some impressive architecture!
St Stephen’s Basilika

6. LILLAFÜRED

Famous for the natural caves and the Palace hotel in neo-Renaissance style as well as being home to the highest waterfall in Hungary.
lillafûred

7. INTERESTING AND UNIQUE FOLK TRADITION

Hungarian culture and traditions are some of the best-preserved ones in Europe. They go back to the old days, and as a tourist, it will be very interesting to attend events and festivals.

8. AGGTELEK

A world heritage site and also the longest stalactite cave system in Europe. If you like to explore underground, then you shouldn’t miss Aggtelek in Northeastern Hungary!
aggtelek – reasons to travel to hungary

9. IT’S STILL AFFORDABLE AS A TOURIST

While prices have increased in Budapest in recent years, it’s still very much affordable to visit Hungary as a tourist. You can see a lot of things, use public transportation, eat lots of food and have a good time without breaking the bank.

The same goes for hotel and spa experiences. You can stay at a luxury hotel here for at least half the price compared to cities like London or Paris.

10. BUDAPEST

One of my absolute favorite cities worldwide. There are just so many attractions, spa, neighborhoods, nature, cafés, bars and shopping that you could stay here forever and never get bored. As a tourist, you will probably only stay for a couple of days, but you’ll definitely want to come back!

Read my guide with the top things to do in Budapest

11. OPERA

While Opera originated in Italy, you will find plenty of extravaganza and quality for your money when attending the National State Opera House in Budapest. First of all, the opera house is one of the most beautiful in the whole world with fantastic acoustic. Secondly, it’s very cheap compared to La Scala, but you still get a high-class performance here!

If you haven’t been to an Opera before, then make sure to go in Budapest.

Hungarian State Opera House, photo: Wikimedia Commons

12. LÁNGOS

Probably the best snack/fast food in the whole world.

It seems like the world-conquering tour of lángos in unstoppable. More and more people hear about it, give it try and also hopefully send its word all around the world. It is not too complicated to make lángos and it is definitely worth to give it a try. (LÁNGOS RECIPE – Read more here and watch the video.)

13. HOLLÓKÖ

Another UNESCO world heritage site, and a place to visit if you want to get a cultural experience. Here you can also see the Hollokö castle.

14. BALATON SOUND AND SZIGET FESTIVAL

If you like to party with people from all over the world, you should visit Hungary when Balaton Sound or Sziget Festival is ongoing. I will let the videos talk for the festivals, and if you like it, then you know that you have to come!

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January 7, 2018

The Italian girl in Algiers premiers in the Erkel Theatre

For the past few years, the Hungarian State Opera has aimed to stage operas that have never or rarely been performed in Hungary. On 18 November 2017, the Budapest audience can see Rossini’s third most frequently performed opera, L’italiana in Algeri in a production directed by Máté Szabó.

The titillating tale belongs to the ranks of „rescue operas” – a favourite genre of the era that usually stipulated having a beautiful young woman being captured and awaiting torture or death until her heroic beloved arrives on the scene to rescue her. The story is set in exotically romantic North Africa, which despite its geographic proximity to Italy, was famous chiefly for its pirates. It provided a perfect backdrop to the music, in which the composer combined farce and entertainment with virtuoso bel canto singing, to wonderful effect. The title character, Isabella, is one of the smartest and most wonderful female characters in the entire operatic literature.

This work, which has never been performed in Budapest before, is being produced for the Erkel Theatre by acclaimed young director Máté Szabó,

whose name is associated with recent productions at the Hungarian State Opera such as Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, Busoni’s Doktor Faust or Wagner’s Das Liebesverbot.

Under the baton of conductor Francesco Lanzillotta, a double cast including the best young Hungarian talents, Szilvia Vörös, Viktória Mester, Zita Szemere, Orsolya Sáfár, Attila Dobák and Marcell Bakonyi are joined by international guest singers Vassilis Kavayas, Alasdair Kent and Bruno Taddia.

Venue: Erkel Theatre, Budapest
Premiere: 18 November 2017
Further dates: 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 November 2017

For more information on the production, cast and creative CLICK HERE.

November 1, 2017

The Hungarian State Opera kicks off its 10th tour around Japan

For a whole month, audiences at 20 different venues can enjoy two full-scale productions given by the company featuring internationally acclaimed soloists Edita Gruberová, Erika Miklósa and Andrea Rost. On 25 November 2017, the Hungarian State Opera kicks off its tenth tour around Japan. The final part of the tour will offer orchestra concerts with appearance by pianist Ingrid Fujiko Hemming.

A touring group of 150 artists sets off for Japan for the tenth time, after having already given 200 performances and 20 concerts in the island country. This year, the institution’s Japanese patron, Masayuki Kobayashi has set his eye on two different productions, therefore, the set of Lucia di Lammermoor will be shipped over, with Die Fledermaus also returning to Japan after 16 years.

These productions – one directed by the youthful Máté Szabó, and the other by the veteran Miklós Szinetár) will feature stars joining the opera’s own forces, with Edita Gruberová and Erika Miklósa in the role of Lucia, and Andrea Rost as both Lucia and Rosalinda. The performances are conducted by János Kovács, Peter Valentovič and principal music director Balázs Kocsár.

Johann Strauss Jr.: Die Fledermaus

25 October: Mito – with Andrea Rost and János Kovácsházi; conducted by János Kovács
27 October: Nerima – with Gertrúd Wittinger and Tibor Szabbanos; conducted by Balázs Kocsár
28 October: Omiya – with Andrea Rost and János Kovácsházi; conducted by János Kovács
29 October: Niigata – with Adrienn Miksch and Tibor Szabbanos; conducted by Balázs Kocsár
31 October: Morioka – with Gertrúd Wittinger and János Kovácsházi; conducted by János Kovács
3 November: Maebashi – with Adrienn Miksch and Tibor Szabbanos; conducted by Balázs Kocsár
4 November: Fuchu – with Andrea Rost and János Kovácsházi; conducted by János Kovács
5 November: Yokosuka – with Gertrúd Wittinger and Tibor Szabbanos; conducted by Balázs Kocsár
10 November: Tokyo – with Adrienn Miksch and János Kovácsházi; conducted by János Kovács
13 November: Kanazawa – with Gertrúd Wittinger and Tibor Szabbanos; conducted by Balázs Kocsár
14 November: Tsu – with Adrienn Miksch and János Kovácsházi; conducted by János Kovács

Gaetano Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor

6 November: Musashino – with Erika Miklósa and Mihály Kálmándy; conducted by Balázs Kocsár
7 November: Matsudo – with Erika Miklósa and Zoltán Kelemen; conducted by Balázs Kocsár
9 November: Tokyo – with Edita Gruberová and Mihály Kálmándy; conducted by Peter Valentovič
11 November: Tokyo – with Andrea Rost and Zoltán Kelemen; conducted by Balázs Kocsár
12 November: Osaka – with Edita Gruberová and Mihály Kálmándy; conducted by Peter Valentovič
25 November: Fukuoka – with Andrea Rost and Mihály Kálmándy; conducted by Balázs Kocsár
16 November: Nagoya – with Edita Gruberová and Zoltán Kelemen; conducted by Peter Valentovič

At the end of the Hungarian State Opera’s 18-performance tour, additional musicians – as is now customary – will be joining the rest of the ensemble in Japan for five symphonic concerts in different cities around the country. The programme will feature music by Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Johann Strauss and Liszt.

30 October: Seitoku University – Strauss, Mozart, Beethoven; conducted by János Kovács
18 November: Niigata / 21 November: Tokyo / 23 November: Akita – Strauss, Liszt, Beethoven; featuring Ingrid Fujiko Hemming (piano), conducted by Mario Košik
20 November: Tokyo – Brahms, Mozart, Beethoven; conducted by János Kovács

Photos: opera.hu

October 22, 2017

Winners of Armel Opera Festival to be staged in London

Winners of the Armel Opera Festival in Budapest, Péter Eötvés’s Senza Sangue and Bluebeard’s Castle by Bela Bartók, will be staged on Sept. 19 in London’s Hackney Empire Theatre.

The Armel Opera Festival is a unique operatic event that has presented opera rarities and, in particular, contemporary works since 2008. The distinctive feature of the festival – staging new productions from five different countries annually – is that it is combined with an international platform for emerging young singers at the start of their careers. The professional jury of the Armel Opera Competition assesses the singers’ vocal qualities their acting skills. The singers selected in two rounds of the competition are offered the main roles in the festival productions, and in the final stage of the challenge, they can prove their talent in the Armel Opera Festival performances and win the Award for Best Performer. The Armel Opera Festival shows are broadcast live on the French-German Arte Concert channel annually, and the recorded performances can be accessed by opera-loving audiences on the channel’s website for another six months.

Produced by Grand Opera Avignon, both performances premiered on June 27 in Budapest at the festival.

The Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra was conducted by Eötvös, whose “operatic psycho-thriller” was composed as a complementary piece to Bartók’s 1911 timeless classic. Senza Sangue (Without blood) tackles questions about redemption in times of war and forgiveness of unforgiveable crimes. The opera was directed by acclaimed Hungarian actor-director Róbert Alföldi. You can read more about the festival HERE.

Bluebeard’s Castle was directed by Nadine Duffaut, with Adrienn Miksch and Bálint Szabó performing.

PÉTER EÖTVÖS: SENZA SANGUE

Production of the Opera Grand Avignon. Opera in one act. Performed in Italian with English supertitles.

Synopsis

According to the official site of Armel Opera festival, Péter Eötvös’ psychothriller-opera Senza Sangue (Bloodless) was designated to be paired with Bluebeard. The opera takes place in a country su ering from civil war, and is based on the popular Italian writer, Alessandro Baricco’s novel of the same name. The protagonist of the story Nina escapes the murderers of her bother and father as a young girl by seeking shelter in a hole in the ground. One of the attackers notices her, but does not betray her. Decades later the girl meets the man in a lottery shop. The recognition terri es him. His fellow murderers are long dead and the circumstances of their deaths were not clear: will Pedro be the next? The original text of the novel was shaped by Eötvös’ constant creative partner and wife, Maria Mezei. She created a libretto that has the cross-examination and mutual understanding of the female and male protagonist’s trauma in its main focus. The opera begins with the meeting of the two main characters and with ashbacks of the murders. The viewer does not know whether the woman is actually behind the deaths of the man’s accomplices, nor what her next step is going to be.

BÉLA BARTÓK: BLUEBEARD’S CASTLE

Production of the Opera Grand Avignon and the Opera-Theater of Metz Metropole. Opera in one act. Performed in Hungarian with English supertitles.

Synopsis

Bluebeard’s Castle (1911) is Béla Bartók’s only, one- act opera. The libretto was written by Béla Balázs. Bluebeard had its premiere in 1918 at the Opera House in Budapest, but only after its remake twenty years later in 1938 can it be considered a veritable success. The opera has folklore and balladic roots. The two main characters are Bluebeard and Judith, his new wife. Bluebeard takes his new wife to his castle. Judith has heard foreboding rumours of this dark place, but she follows her husband trustingly. Arriving to the castle she finds seven closed doors. Her intent to unearth the secrets of the castle carries a symbolic meaning: what she truly wants to figure out is the hidden secrets of Bluebeard’s soul. He is aware that Judith’s forceful curiosity will lead to tragedy. He asks Judith not to open those closed doors, as opening them will be fatal and will bring eternal loneliness for them both instead of the long awaited happiness.

But Judith does not obey his request. When from behind the seventh, most guarded door three previous wives of Bluebeard emerge, there is no way of turning back for her. Judith enters the seventh room, their story ends, all she can be now is a part of his past.

September 14, 2017

Winners of 10th Armel Opera Festival announced

Udo Zimmerman’s opera Weisse Rose (White Rose), performed by Swiss theatre company Biel Solothurn Theatre Orchestra, won the prize for best performance at the 10th Armel Opera Festival in Budapest on Tuesday, and French soprano Morgane Heyse won best singer.

Armel Festival combines a talent programme for opera singers and a music festival, staging five contemporary operas every year, organisers told MTI. This year’s festival was held in the Thalia Theatre in Budapest and the MuTh concert hall in Vienna from June 28 to July 3.

Hungarian director Róbert Alföldi’s staging of Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna was awarded the Audience’s Prize and television director Eszter Petrovics received the Jury’s Prize for the festival’s broadcast on the Arte art channel.

Photo: MTI

July 5, 2017