PROGRAMME CALENDAR A BRIEF HISTORY Beginning the 135th season OF OPERA IN 2018

Two years ago, we celebrated the 200th anniversary of the publication of the play that was later to be “THE PLEASURES OF CIVILISED used as the libretto of the first surviving Hungarian musical drama. And even though some form of op- era performance had already existed in Hungary in the courts of the aristocrats and primates – for an PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS COMPLEX” example, one need look no further than Haydn, who worked at Eszterháza (today’s Fertőd) – the first institution at the national level was the one which opened as the Hungarian Theatre of Pest in 1837 and was renamed the National Theatre in 1840. The opera company led by and the dance en- semble led by Frigyes Campilli were given their own building and independence only at a relatively late stage, in 1884. But then they moved into the new building designed and built by Miklós Ybl on the “radial” avenue, and in doing so became the greatest of all of Hungary’s cultural institutions.

We can really put our faith in Géza Csáth, since, as an early “So what do they do? They curse and insult those who, with follower of Freud, he studied the subconscious and believed their youthful tendons, climbed the walls and out into open that the mysterious world within us gives us pleasure. space. They see Puccini’s weaknesses, but are incapable of Opera and ballet, too, are complex experiences, as are all the noticing his youthfullness, his strength. Beckmessers will always arts. Now, as we announce our newest season, “Puccini’s quarrel with Walthers von Stolzing. But I’m not going to pester We follow in the footsteps of legendary personalities: Italy”, let us do so by reflecting on and responding to some the man who can transport me into the chilly atmosphere of a lines from Csáth, that brazen, young and tragic genius. winter morning (La bohème, Act III) using only two flutes by calling him to account for his use of open fifths.” “Puccini was in during the premiere of Madama intendants Miklós Bánffy, Miklós Radnai, János Kovács and Ádám Medveczky; Butterfly. While on a carriage ride on Andrássy Avenue, he Opera lovers and ballet fans should not, however, hold us to Aladár Tóth, Miklós Lukács and choreographers Gyula Harangozó, stopped his coach and, seeing a young girl carrying an excerpt of account for abandoning other great creative figures, even if the piano score from his opera Tosca under her arm, wrote into we’ve done so for Puccini. No! 16 premieres and 60 opera Miklós Szinetár; musical directors and László Seregi and Lilla Pártay; stage the score: ‘A souvenir from , the wandering and ballet repertoire productions will take the stage here minstrel.’ This small scene from the past demonstrates to us and around the world, featuring pieces from 16 different conductors Gustav Mahler, Artúr Nikitsch, directors Sándor Hevesi, Kálmán the composer’s discursive temperament, mixed with a bit of opera composers, and works from as many choreographers affectation .” – all in a single season! János Richter, Egisto Tango, Nádasdy and András Békés; and designers Like Puccini, we too digress a bit: while our May festival, “It is possible to become disillusioned with Puccini. In fact, we Sergio Failoni, István Kerner, Gusztáv Oláh, Zoltán Fülöp, Attila uniquely in the world, will feature all 12 of Puccini’s must, because disappointments are the milestones on the path , plus a new drama and a Puccini song concert and to wisdom. But the memories of those almost bodily pleasures Otto Klemperer, Ferenc Fricsay, Csikós, Tivadar Márk and Nelly Vágó. oratorio, we would like to present the master from Lucca that we receive from Puccini remain inside us. Like youth’s in the context of his Italy of verismo. Ponchielli, Giordano, mystical dream, it is full of feminine forms, perfumes, incredible János Ferencsik, Lamberto Gardelli, And also in the footsteps of chief engineer and Alfano, Mascagni, Cilea, Boito and Leoncavallo all get their excitement and nameless desires.” Giuseppe Patané, Miklós Erdélyi, technical director Miklós Borsa. deserved attention, as of course does Verdi, without whom Puccini never would have found his way to our hearts. What pertinent lines... But we are far from disillusionment! Instead, this season is about a journey: in the temporary

2 2 CALENDAR INTRODUCTION 3 absence of Ybl’s great palace, the great tour of Hungarian “While at the opera two years ago, at the premiere of Madama opera and ballet culture is partly out of necessity, partly Butterfly, I saw people’s faces, red and burning with excitement, out of duty, and will feature performances in 20 cities in and their distracted eyes, and in the prudish shame of their Hungary and abroad. We’re also announcing programmes glances I observed the secrecy of emotion, but I really had to in ten of Hungary’s county seats, and we’ll pay a visit to realise that the bowing‚ ‘minstrel’ before the curtain was a great the Opera on Wheels before continuing on to Székely and rare artist. Today, he belongs among the greatest.” Land. And yes, during the two years the Opera house will be closed, we will tour through 64 cities in 18 foreign And so, we await you along with the best Hungarian countries, from Korea to Naples, New York to Japan, and conductors, directors, singers and dancers, with our Berlin to Berehove – and most of it in the company of collaborating guests from abroad, our contracted partners, Puccini! our children’s choir and youth ballet troupe. While we’re rather homeless without our Opera House building, our “Let us recall the first act of Madama Butterfly. The piece opens eyes are fixed on the Eiffel Art Studios, moving forward with a fugue. Not quite a fugue, but a fugato. But it sounds like toward completion, as well as on the preparations for the a fugue, and that’s the point. Grotesque, interesting, gleaming. Hajós Street Üzemház, and the trial run of the Ybl Palace No one ever wrote anything like this. (…) This is Japanese coming up this May. Then, Puccini can come again and figuration, it strives to be a Japanese gesture. Ethnographies and bow with us, before you all. travelogues can’t say as much about Japan as Puccini did in this first act, and he probably never even set foot there.” 15 March, 2018 Puccini’s female figures... Each of his eight opera titles refer to a woman. This season – in our own productions and in those conducted jointly with Müpa Budapest – the female vocalists receive extra attention. Netrebko, Gruberová, Garanča, Yoncheva, Sümegi, Rost, Miklósa, Kolonits... And Szilveszter Ókovács yet there will be no lack of , who were so important General Director for Puccini: big-name guests include Flórez, Sartori, Opera Calleja, Eyvazova, Cura, Vargas and Grigolo. We’ll see stage direction from Barkhatov, the staging of a new Hungarian opera, choreography from Balanchine, Forsythe and Eyal- Behar, and the return of MacMillan’s famous Mayerling!

4 KALENDÁRUIM 18-19 BEVEZETŐ 5 Contents Contents

Goldmark Die Königin von Saba 41 Weekend Sing-along Baby with Daddy 100 Premieres 11 Vajda Mario and the Magician 42 Ballet Repertoire 69 Enchanting Instruments at the Erkel Theatre 101 Bartók Bluebeard’s Castlee 43 Afternoon Jam at the Erkel Theatre 101 Donizetti L’elisir d’amore 12 Mozart 43 Frenák/Bartók The Wooden Prince 70 Tutu 102 Orff Carmina Burana 13 Puccini La bohème 44 Seregi/Bartók The Miraculous Mandarin 71 Tales of Music 102 Forsythe/Schubert The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude 14 J. Strauss Jr. Die Fledermaus 44 Juhász/Bartók Dance Suitee 72 Opera Tour with Papageno – at the Erkel Theatre 103 Eyal/Behar/Lichtik Bedroom Folk 15 Verdi Nabucco 45 van Manen/Satie Trois Gnossiennes 73 OperaCommando 103 Puccini La fanciulla del West 16 Meyerbeer Les Huguenots 46 van Manen/Piazzolla Five Tangos 73 Great Recommendations 104 Mozart L’oca del Cairo 17 van Manen/Massenet/Mascagni/ OperaAdventure 7.1 104 Rossini L’italiana in Algeri 47 74 Stravinsky/Janáček/Tchaikovsky Ponchielli La Gioconda 18 Black Cake Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor 49 John/Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical 75 Kenessey The Gold and the Woman 19 Special Events 107 Mozart Così fan tutte 49 Hynd/Lehár 76 Tóth The Tót Family 20 The Merry Widow Bizet Carmen 50 North/Downes Troy Game 78 Balanchine/Delibes Sylvia Pas de Deux 21 V4 Opera Galas 108 Kacsóh János vitéz 51 Kylián/Reich Falling Angels 78 Puccini Manon Lescaut 22 Dance Triptych in Bratislava 108 Gershwin Porgy and Bess 52 Inger/Pärt/Ravel Walking Mad 80 Szálinger Chrysanthemums, or The Death of Liù 23 Barefoot on the Meadow 109 Purcell 53 The Fairy Queen van Dantzig/Schayk/Tchaikovsky Swan Lakee 81 Puccini Edgar 24 Best of Ring 109 Mascagni Cavalleria rusticana 54 Petipa/Gorsky/Golezovsky/Messerer/Minkus Puccini La rondine 25 Kádár’s (Very) Last Speech 110 Leoncavallo Pagliacci 54 Don Quixote 82 Monteverdi L’incoronazione di Poppea 26 Erkel125+ with an “Italian” Bánk Bán 110 Bach/Mendelssohn St Matthew Passion 56 Eagling/Solymosi/Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker 83 MacMillan/Liszt/Lanchberry Mayerling 27 Ballet in Brnó 111 Kodály Háry János 57 Lavrovsky/Adam Giselle 84 Cura and Vargas, Rost and Miklósa in Veszprém 111 Puccini Tosca 57 Zakharov/Asafiev The Fountain of Bakhchisarai 84 Programme Series 29 Aria Evening with Erwin Schrott 112 Puccini Il tabarro 58 Balanchine/Tchaikovsky Theme and Variations 86 Saaremaa Opera Festival 112 Puccini Suor Angelica 59 Lander/Czerny/Riisager Études 86 Tuning Series 30 An American in Paris Puccini 59 113 Questions, Questions 30 Venekei/Williams/Dés A Streetcar Named Desire 89 – Bernstein and Gershwin on Puccini 60 7 Days Programme 31 Turandot Seregi/Delibes Sylvia 89 Closing Night in Zemplén 113 Puccini Madama Butterfly 60 MacMillan/Massenet/Yates Manon 91 Opera on Wheels I – The Székely Land 114 Harangozó Jr./Kocsák 91 Opera Repertoire 33 Puccini La bohème 2.0 61 Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs Beregszász Arena 114 Giordano Andrea Chénier 62 Netrebko & Eyvazov Gala Evening 115 Erkel Bánk Bán 35 Giordano Fedora 62 Concerts 93 Music Harvest in Pécs 115 Mozart Le nozze di Figaro 36 Verdi Un ballo in maschera 63 Opera from the Opera! 116 History of the Opera Orchestra 94 Verdi La traviata 36 Rossini 64 Carpathian Homeland Extra: Zagreb 116 Symphonic Concerts 96 J. Strauss Jr. Der Zigeunerbaron 36 R. Strauss Ariadne auf Naxos 64 Erkel: Erzsébet – live recording 117 Erkel Hunyadi László 39 R. Strauss Die Frau ohne Schatten 66 Hungarian National Dance Theatre – modern 117 Children’s and Youth Programmes 99 ballet at Müpa Budapest I Janáček Jenůfa 39 Verdi 67 Kodály The Spinning Room 40 R. Strauss Salome 67 OO Turandot National Tour 118 Sing-along Baby 100 Puccini’s Italian Roadshow 118

6 CALENDAR CONTENTS CALENDAR CONTENTS 7 Contents Contents

3rd International Éva Marton Singing Opera at Müpa Budapest 137 Summer at the Opera 155 Our Heroes and Heroines 176 119 Competition Opera for Doctors 138 OperaFüred 156 The Opera’s Ambassadors 177 Car-Free Weekend 119 Sümegi25 138 Tour d’Opera 156 1933: Tata Festival 120 Lehár Das Land des Lächelns 139 Opera Sziget 157 Calendar 179 Night of Theatres 120 Lucias with Gruberová 139 Salome in Machaerus 157 Opera without Borders 121 Aria Evening with El na Garan aa 140 Opera on Wheels II – Central Transylvania, Erkel Theatre Programme 180 ī č 158 Opera135 121 Bánát and Partium Italian Carnival Evening with Sonya Yoncheva 140 Bernáth Buffet Programme 189 V4 Opera Tour 122 Park Inauguration 158 Pas de Quatre ‘19 141 Eiffel Art Studios Programme 192 World Music Day 122 Dance Trend ‘19 141 Opera House Programme 195 Three Tenors 123 OperaBonus 161 Breadcrumb Ball 142 Programmes at Other Venues 197 33. Spar Budapest Marathon® 123 Bach for All Festival 143 Opera at Müpa Budapest 199 CAFe 2018 – modern ballet at Müpa Budapest II 124 Name That Tune 162 Alfano Il principe Zilah 143 Opera from the Opera! 199 Bernstein100 – Candide 124 Opera Café Magazine 162 YBL205 144 Piano Arias 125 Opera Box 163 Ticket Information, – CD recording 144 203 Subscriptions and Discounts An evening with Juan Diego Flórez 125 Daily Opera 163 5th Iván Nagy International Ballet Gala 145 Tours and guest performances during the closure Opera Cinema 164 126 World Voice Day 145 of the Ybl Palace Online Opera 165 Aria Evening with Joseph Calleja 146 The Artists 213 The Hungarian Opera in New York 128 Opera Digi Theca 166 Vigil with The Passion of the Christ 146 Requiems 128 OperAcademy 166 MamaMatinée ‘19 147 Big Projection Day 129 Orchestra Academy 167 Cinema Szinetár Plus 147 Operatic Empire 237 Hungarian Opera Day 129 Opera on Wheels 167 European Opera Days 148 Aldo Finzi memorial concert at the Carnegie Hall 130 BMW Opera Club 168 Choral Days ‘19 148 Opera House 238 Rossini150+ 130 Friends of the Opera 168 Seregi Night ‘19 149 Erkel Theatre 239 New Year’s Eve Gala – recording for television 131 OpeRadio 169 PucciniFest 149 Eiffel Art Studios 240 Picasso’s Adventures – with the Opera di Roma 131 Total Artist 169 PucciniFest – film screenings 150 Orchestral Centre 241 Nutcracker Festival 132 Opera Vault 170 Puccini Messa di Gloria & Le Villi 150 Opera Sales Centre 241 The Royal Moscow Ballet 132 Opera Exhibition 172 Puccini, the bard 151 Administration Building 241 OO Tosca & La bohème National Tour 133 Opera Shop 172 Choral Artists’ Mini-Festival 151 József Antall25+ Memorial Concert 133 Opera Magazine 173 Puccini Aria Evening with Vittori Grigolo 152 Reviews from all over the World 243 Children’s Safety Gaudete Sunday 134 Opera Yearbook 173 Season-Closing Night of Stars 152 Leoncavallo La bohème 134 You Shall go to the Ball! 174 Primavera Festival 153 Little Bohemian Christmas 135 Útravaló (For the Road) 2019 174 Slovak National Theatre Guest Performance 153 Partners 249 Puccini160 135 Open Days 175 Opera on Margaret Island 154 Nocturnal Bat 136 175 Berlin: Strauss Opera Café 154 New Year’s Day at the Erkel 136 – Guest Performances at the Deutsche Oper Opera Visit 176 Bánk Bán in Korea too! 137 Kálmándy30 155

8 CALENDAR CONTENTS CALENDAR CONTENTS 9 PREMIERES OPERA & BALLET

10 PREMIERES OPERA PREMIERES OPERA 11 Carl Orff

12 12 L’ELISIR D’AMORE CARMINA BURANA

The Love Potion (1832, Milan) (1937, Frankfurt)

Setting out on its 2018 summer tour with its most Comic opera in two acts, in Hungarian O Fortuna. Everyone is familiar with the over­ Staged cantata in its original languages, with recent series, Opera on Wheels will be bringing a whelmingly powerful opening motifs of Carl Orff’s Hungarian and English surtitles. new production of Donizetti’s most popular comic most famous work. But what fewer people know is that opera to areas inhabited by ethnic in Carmina Burana was not intended to be an oratorical neighbouring counties. This piece boasting unflagging work, but rather a piece specifically intended for the success since 1832 has everything needed for carefree Adina Bori Keszei, Zita Váradi stage: a work of theatrum mundi in which music, lyrics Soprano Rita Rácz, Erika Miklósa entertainment: a hopeless-seeming love, an intricate Nemorino Gergely Biri, Gergely Ujvári and movement are intended to form an indivisible István Horváth, Gergely Boncsér story, idyllic village life, a fraudulent quack doctor, an Belcore Lajos Geiger, Róbert Rezsnyák whole. This is clearly demonstrated by the piece’s Latin Baritone Csaba Szegedi, Zsolt Haja unexpected inheritance, humour and lyricism, as well Dulcamara László Szvétek , András Kiss subtitle: “Secular songs for singers and choruses to be sung as enchanting melodies like the famous tenor aria Una Giannetta Eszter Zavaros together with instruments and magical images.” Conductor Tibor Bogányi furtiva lagrima. The texts for these “secular songs” come from a 13th The story’s protagonist is a poor village lad named Conductor Ádám Cser century manuscript of poems, discovered in Bavaria Artistic director Tibor Bogányi, Ágnes Zászkaliczky Nemorino, who is hopelessly in love with the land­owner in 1803, which contains verses by travelling students Concept Tibor Bogányi, Attila János Könnyű, Ágnes Zászkaliczky Adina, who herself accepts a marriage offer from the Librettist Felice Romani and clergy in Medieval Latin, Middle High German 3D visual projections Freelusion® brash sergeant Belcore. The despairing young man Hungarian text Tamás Blum and Old French. Orff composed cantatas from 24 of Set designer Tímea Papp spends all his money on a “love potion” obtained from a Set designer Katalin Juhász these poems, which are organised around the three Head graphic designer Ádám Herczeg charlatan pedlar in order to win the object of his heart’s Director Attila Toronykőy main unified themes of “spring”, “drinking”, and “love”. Choreographer Csaba Sebestyén affections, then joins the army to get more money to The composer uses simple, repetitive melodies, and Director Tibor Bogányi purchase more of the “miracle drug”. Although the plays with pulsating, energetic rhythms to enchant love potion is, in fact, just wine, Nemorino’s true love the audience with music that is sometimes amusing, eventually wins out. sometimes bizarre, and sometimes ethereally gorgeous. The master wrote the opera in all of six weeks, Tibor Bogányi, after conducting the piece many basing it on, along with Eugène Scribe’s 1831 opera times, was so inspired by Orff’s creation that a vision libretto Le philtre, an autobiographical episode: in for a staged performance slowly developed within 1820, Donizetti’s career as a composer was threatened him. The creators have conceived a breathtaking when he was conscripted but a wealthy Bergamo spectacle to surround the three vocal soloists, the three businesswoman purchased the promising young dancers from the Hungarian National Ballet, and the composer’s “freedom”. monumental 120-member choir on the stage of the The work was last staged in Budapest in 2000, by Erkel Theatre: six projector displays and LED walls will Sándor Palcsó. The Opera’s new travelling production, bring the “magical images” to life. This production has directed by Attila Toronykőy, will be visiting its sights set on becoming a global triumph as well. audiences outside of Hungary’s borders 31 August – 9 September 2018 22, 23 September, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 October 2018 SZÉKELY LAND (ROMANIA) ERKEL THEATRE

12 PREMIERES OPERA PREMIERES OPERA 13 William Forsythe / Franz Schubert Sharon Eyal / Gai Behar / Ori Lichtik

THE VERTIGINOUS THRILL OF EXACTITUDE 12 BEDROOM FOLK 12

(1996, Frankfurt) (2015, Amsterdam) Hungarian premiere Hungarian premiere CAFe Budapest CAFe Budapest

American ballet dancer and choreographer William Ballet in one act Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar are among the most Ballet in one act Forsythe started creating his own works at the exciting, original creative pairs in contemporary dance. Stuttgart Ballet and was appointed to the helm of The Jerusalem-born Eyal was a dancer, and later a Ballet Frankfurt in 1984, remaining the ensemble’s choreographer, with Israel’s exceedingly important pivotal leader until 2004. He regarded George Batsheva Dance Company before forming her own Balanchine as his greatest role model. His works Choreographer William Forsythe ensemble, the L-E-V Company, in 2013, with which Creator Sharon Eyal are characterised by the use of classical technique Composer Franz Schubert she appeared in Budapest in April 2017. Her creative Co-creator Gai Behar as a starting point, but then thinking them through Set and lighting designer William Forsythe and romantic partner, Gai Behar, is a DJ and under- Music Ori Lichtik even to the point of extremes. One example of this Costume designer Stephen Galloway ground creative specialist in Tel Aviv. Lighting designer Thierry Dreyfus is his 11-minute piece The Vertiginous Thrill of Technical assistant Tanja Rühl In 2015, they composed Bedroom Folk for the Costume designer Rebecca Hytting Exactitude, created for three female and two male Technical supervisor Sebastian Rietz Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT 1), a piece that formed Répétiteur Olivia Ancona dancers: solos, pas de deux, pas de trois and ensemble Répétiteurs Amy Raymond, Agnes Noltenius part of the Strong Language dance show. Music, Company répétiteur Marianna Venekei pieces alternate without a plot to the virtuosic and Company répétiteur Ildikó Pongor dance and light each receive equal emphasis in the majestic final movement of Schubert’s “Great” choreography, which is little more than half an hour (The performers will be selected by the rights holder after this Ninth Symphony. (The performers will be selected by the rights holder after in length. The creation, which blends clean, uniquely publication goes to print.) A tribute to classical technique, this work is today this publication goes to print.) designed and exotic dance elements and operates with considered one of the most challenging short ballets suggestive colours and lighting, has a captivating to perform. After In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, atmosphere which is both serious and silly at the same this work is the second of Forsythe’s works to make time. It is controlled chaos which points the way to the it into the Hungarian National Ballet’s repertoire. future. This production is being performed together The production is being presented together with with The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude and Walking Bedroom Folk and Walking Mad in the DanceTryptic Mad as part of the DanceTryptich dance show, and will dance show, and will also be performed at the Pas de also be presented as part of the Dance Trend dance Quatre dance programme. event.

12, 13, 14 October 2018 12, 13, 14 October 2018 MÜPA BUDAPEST, FESTIVAL THEATRE MÜPA BUDAPEST, FESTIVAL THEATRE

9 March 2019 10 March, 2019 EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE

14 PREMIERES BALLET PREMIERS BALLET 15 Giacomo Puccini

L’OCA DEL CAIRO, LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST 16 OSSIA LO SPOSO DELUSO 16

The Goose of Cairo or The Deluded Bridegroom (2019, Budapest) The Girl of the West (1910, New York) World premiere

After watching David Belasco’s play The Girl of the Opera in three acts, in Italian, with After the success of Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Pasticcio in two acts, in Italian, with Golden West on his 1907 visit to New York, Puccini Hungarian and English surtitles Mozart wanted to write an Italian comic opera, but it Hungarian and English surtitles resolved to set this somewhat unusual love story of was no easy task to find a good subject or librettist. In the Wild West to music on the opera stage. The world 1783, he set himself to composing two new operas, but premiere took place at New York’s Metropolitan Ope- Minnie, a saloon-keeper Harry, a gold miner Tivadar Kiss gave up on both of them. After completing nearly all of ra on 10 December 1910, with Arturo Toscanini Szilvia Rálik, Éva Bátori* Joe, a gold miner Ferenc Kristofori the first of the planned three acts (with no overture) of Don Pippo István Kovács conducting. The dramatic material proved to be a Jack Rance, the local sheriff Happy, a gold miner L’oca del Cairo) – around 45 minutes of music – Mozart Biondello Péter Balczó good choice, with an effectively moving plot and well Csaba Szegedi Róbert Rezsnyák dropped the work owing to textual problems. He then Calandrino István Horváth proportioned application of dramatic tension that lead Dick Johnson (Ramirrez), Larkens, a gold miner Géza Gábor set to work on the opera buffa Lo sposo deluso, but did Celidora Anikó Bakonyi viewers to the denouement with a sure hand. At the a bandit Boldizsár László*, Trin Gergely Ujvári not complete this work either. Of the intended two acts, Lavinia Zita Váradi same time, the very same dramatic content might have Attila Fekete Billy Jackrabbit, an Indian only a fragment of around 20 minutes remains to us Auretta Bori Keszei been the reason that melody, previously the decisively Nick, a waiter Péter Balczó András Kőrösi from the comedy’s first act. Nevertheless, this is a fully Chichibio Máté Fülep dominant element in Puccini’s operas, lost its leading Ashby, a Wells Fargo agent Wowkle, his wife Melinda Heiter polished work, with an excellent overture. role as the vocal parts began to follow the meaning Krisztián Cser Jake Wallace, a travelling The composer afterwards turned his attention to Der Conductor Pál Németh of the words and the emotional substance ever more Sonora, a gold miner Antal Cseh camp minstrel András Káldi Kiss Schauspieldirektor, and then nailed down his first closely, without developing into easily memorable Sid, a gold miner Lajos Geiger José Castro, a mestizo Illés Rácz collaboration with Lorenzo Da Ponte, Le nozze di Librettist Giovanni Battista Varesco melodies and with the orchestra also simultaneously Bello, a gold miner Attila Erdős Figaro, (Some say that Lo sposo deluso bears the mark of Libretto supplemented by Lorenzo Da Ponte, Attila Toronykőy serving this expressiveness more powerfully. The meeting Da Ponte, and might in fact have been their Concept Szilveszter Ókovács character of Minnie, nevertheless, is a highly suitable first joint work.) Dramaturg Judit Kenesey addition to Puccini’s ranks of heroines: driven by love The musical style of the two abandoned comedies can Music curated by Pál Németh and passion, she thus has no fear of risking even her Conductor Balázs Kocsár be considered a forerunner to both Figaro and Così, and Set designer Katalin Juhász own life – and the work naturally has no shortage of sometimes one can even recognise the world of Don Director Attila Toronykőy great opera hits. Libretto based on the drama by David Belasco Giovanni. Although the completed parts were never Still in his mid-30s, Moscow-born Vasily Barkhatov written by Guelfo Civinini, Carlo Zangarini staged in Mozart’s lifetime, since his death, several Partner BMW Group Hungary is engaged to direct successful operas across Russia Set designer Zinovy Margolin successful pasticcios have been made of them. None, and Europe while also remaining active in spoken- Costume designer Olga Shaishmelashvili however, attempted to integrate only the two artistic word theatre and film work. With productions at Saint Lighting designer Alexander Sivaev fragments dating from the same period, even though Petersburg’s Mariinsky Theatre, Moscow’s Bolshoi Director Vasily Barkhatov there are possible points of connections, and the Theatre, the Lithuanian National Opera and Deutsche similarities of their stories to Seraglio is marvellous. Oper Berlin to his name – just to name a few – the *Artists appearing in the PucciniFest performances An idea cherished by General Director Szilveszter Golden Mask-winning director makes his debut at the Ókovács for 25 years, the Opera intends to present Erkel Theatre in December of 2018 Mozart’s thus-far unknown operatic work and, under 1, 4, 6, 9, 13, 16 December 2018. the baton of Pál Németh and in a production directed 22, 24 May 2019, PucciniFest by Attila Toronykőy, to inaugurate the theatre hall of 27, 30 January, 1, 3 February 2019 ERKEL THEATRE the Eiffel Art Studios with it. EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE

16 PREMIERES OPERA PREMIERES OPERA 17 Amilcare Ponchielli Jenő Kenessey

LA GIOCONDA 16 THE GOLD AND THE WOMAN 14

(1876, Milan) Az arany meg az asszony (1943, Budapest, Opera House)

Amilcare Ponchielli was born at the wrong time: as Opera in four acts, in Italian, When the weekly magazine Theatrical Life published Opera in one act, in Hungarian, Verdi’s contemporary, he had less chance to shine, with Hungarian and English surtitles Gyula Krúdy’s memoires in 1918, the author with Hungarian and English surtitles despite being a first-rate composer and an excellent described The Gold and the Woman as follows: “[This teacher who helped shape verismo composers like play] is a tiny whistle from the musical scores of Mascagni and Puccini. Of Ponchielli’s ten operas, long-gone centuries; a lace on a coat; a sound that La Gioconda is the only one that achieved lasting Gioconda, a street singer Eszter Sümegi, Csilla Boross* recalls the sounds of the historical past.” The play was Wolfgang István Kovács success and thus earned a lasting place for itself in the La Cieca, Gioconda’s blind mother Bernadett Wiedemann premiered at the Apollo Cabaret, only to disappear Anna Zita Váradi repertoire as the most popular Italian opera dating from Barnaba, a ballad singer Alexandru Agache, Michele Kálmándy* forever from Hungarian stages afterwards. Several Mercenary captain Atilla Kiss B. the period between Verdi’s Aida (1871) and (1887). Enzo Grimaldi, a Genoese prince Gergely Boncsér decades later, Kálmán Nádasdy suggested it to Jenő Hinkó László Beöthy-Kiss The work was plainly conceived in the spirit of the Laura Adorno, a Genoese lady Erika Gál Kenessey, who turned the one-act play into an opera tradition of Italian and French grand opéra. The libretto Alvise Badoero, chief of the State Inquisition, that was put on stage at the Opera House in 1943. First actor Tivadar Kiss was written by Arrigo Boito (under the pseudonym husband of Laura Krisztián Cser The Gold and the Woman relates the story of a parable- Second actor Ferenc Cserhalmi Tobia Gorrio) based on Victor Hugo’s play Angelo, Zuàne, a competitor in the regatta András Kőrösi like 15th-century love triangle. The ageing husband Commander of the guard Antal Bakó Tyrant of Padua. The authors set the story in the Isèpo, a public scribe Ferenc Kristofori in a rather empty marriage takes his revenge on the magical, but at the same time, dangerous Venetian young man out to seduce his wife by tempting him Conductor Zsolt Jankó Republic of the 17th century. Conductor Gergely Kesselyák in a different way: by offering him counterfeit gold The piece’s protagonist is a street singer named coins made in his alchemist’s shop. Not suspecting Libretto based on Gyula Krúdy’s drama of the same title by Jenő Kenessey Gioconda. In spite of her name, which means “the Librettist Arrigo Boito anything, the elated young man chooses this glittering Dramaturg Eszter Orbán jovial one”, her life takes a tragic turn owing to the Set designer Éva Szendrényi wealth. The husband, however, alerts the town guard, Set designer Éva Szendrényi intrigues of a diabolically evil figure who is hopelessly Costume designer Gergely Zöldy Z and the soldiers immediately arrest the greedy owner Costume designer Anikó Németh in love with her. Choreographer Marianna Venekei of counterfeit money. The married couple is left alone Choreographer Marianna Venekei Ponchielli and Boito employ nearly every available Director Ferenc Anger once again. Director Csaba Káel trope of grand opéra: the carnival masquerade, the love The Gold and the Woman is Jenő Kenessey’s sole opera triangle, unexpected twists, poison, a blind woman *Artists appearing at the PucciniFest performances as well as a highly successful Hungarian work from denounced as a witch, stirring crowd scenes – and the first half of the 20th century. The opera is being dance: the best-known part of the opera is the ballet directed by Csaba Káel on the Bánffy Stage at the interlude the Dance of the Hours. Eiffel Art Studios. Even though the piece enjoyed tremendous success even at its world premiere, the author went on to revise 22, 24, 28 February, 3, 6, 10 March 2019 Gold and the Woman is being presented together on his work several times. Now after a hiatus of exactly 20 ERKEL THEATRE the same nights with Péter Tóth’s work The Tót years, the work is returning to the stage of the Erkel Family. Theatre – this time in a production directed by Ferenc 1, 5 June 2019, PucciniFest 16, 17, 23, 24 March 2019 Anger. OPERA HOUSE EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE

18 PREMIERES OPERA PREMIERES OPERA 19 Péter Tóth George Balanchine / Léo Delibes

THE TÓT FAMILY 14 SYLVIA PAS DE DEUX 12

Tóték (2019, Budapest) (1950, New York) World premiere Hungarian premiere

“Lajos Tót (...) is just a local firefighter in a mountain Opera in one act, in Hungarian, with As well as reinvigorating classical ballet with his Pas de deux in the French style, with an entrée, village. Meaning that he never offended the gods. What Hungarian and English surtitles unique choreography, George Balanchine also often adagio, two solos and a coda was his sin then? His sin, if he had any, was that he lived in re-interpreted popular themes from the history of an age when there was only one choice: one could either be ballet, and is now known as the creator of neoclassical a rebel or be Sisyphus. (...) There are happy nations: they dance. From the mythological love story, Léo Delibes are the ones who rebel at the right time. We are the kind Lajos Tót László Szvétek created a full ballet, Sylvia, ou la Nymphe de Diane, Solo duets Tatiana Melnik – Gergely Leblanc of people who rebel at the wrong time,” – writes István Mariska Júlia Vajda which premiered in Paris in 1876, with choreography Diana Kosyreva – Ievgen Lagunov Örkény in the short prologue to the tragicomedy. Ágika Helga Nánási from Louis Mérante. Global success only came Lili Felméry – András József Rónai Mátraszentanna is a place where only penniless Major Boldizsár László decades later, in 1952, when Sylvia was brought to Aliya Tanykpayeva – Igor Tsvirko officials and pensioners spend their holidays. For Postman András Hábetler London with the choreography of Sir Frederick Minjung Kim – Gergő Ármin Balázsi the locals, it seems like a miracle when they get the Father Tomaji Tamás Busa Ashton situated on a richly illustrated stage. It has Cristina Balaban– Dmitri Timofeev chance to host a real army major. Yet, one day, Major Water carrier Géza Zsigmond since become one of the most commonly performed Varró – at the urging of Gyula Tót, who is serving as and reinterpreted ballets and also inspired László an ensign on the Eastern Front – comes on a visit to Conductor Zsolt Jankó Seregi, whose exciting “theatre within a theatre” Conductor Imre Kollár spend his two-week sick leave with the boy’s parents. comedy is still performed at the Opera today. The Tót couple do everything humanly possible for the Libretto based on István Örkény’s novella, play and film script of the same Balanchine’s “pure dance” choreography is particularly Choreographer George Balanchine sake of their son, and the deeply touched Major gives title by Róbert Bognár, Szabolcs Várady and András Schlanger special, as it was created in 1950 for two artists of the Composer Léo Delibes them his promise: when the cold weather arrives, he New York City Ballet before the ballet had achieved Costume designer Karinska will assign the boy to the well-heated battalion office, Dramaturg Eszter Orbán such success, while as a pearl of classic ballet it Répétiteur Marina Eglevsky where his life will not be in danger. The parents do not Set designer Éva Szendrényi stands apart from the master’s modern and avant- Company répétiteur Imre Dózsa yet know that all this is in vain: Ensign Gyula Tót has Costume designer Anikó Németh garde creations. Sylvia Pas de Deux is taken from the been killed in action. Choreographer Marianna Venekei third act of the original ballet and features a stand- A few years after the success of his fairy tale opera Director Csaba Káel alone performance from the nymph and her love, a Prince Árgyélus, composer Péter Tóth, who also shepherd boy, during a Bacchanal. The 12-minute serves as dean of the University of Szeged’s faculty of work follows the traditional structure of the pas de music, set to work on composing an “adult” one-act deux and requires technical virtuoso ability and a piece. The Tót Family is one of the most important refined performance style. It is a genuine technical novellas and plays in , which now, feat, and will be performed for the first time ever in following the emblematic Fábri-Latinovits film and Hungary as a bonus performance from the soloists of a slew of theatrical productions still competing with the Hungarian National Ballet. each other to this day, has found a place for itself in the genre of opera in a production being directed by This piece can be seen during the OMG dance show, Csaba Káel. which also features choreography from George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations and Harald The Tót Family is being presented together on the Lander’s Études. same nights with Jenő Kenessey’s work The Gold 16, 17, 23, 24 March 2019 22, 23, 24, 27, 28 March 2019 and the Woman. EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE ERKEL THEATRE

20 PREMIERES OPERA PREMIERES OPERA 21 Giacomo Puccini Balázs Szálinger

CHRYSANTHEMUMS, MANON LESCAUT 16 OR THE DEATH OF LIÙ 16

(2019, Budapest) (1893, Turin) World premiere

In the spring of 1889, Puccini was working on Opera in four acts, in Italian, Torre del Lago, 1908. Elvira, the wife of the world revising Edgar in order to find remedies for the causes with Hungarian and English surtitles famous composer Giacomo Puccini, is teetering on the Chamber piece with lots of music of the subdued critical reaction – which were chiefly edge of madness. After numerous – justified – attacks attributable to the weaknesses in the libretto – but of jealousy, Doria, the maid, becomes the subject of by the summer he was looking for a new subject. At her suspicions. As his family life becomes unbearable, the suggestion of Ferdinando Fontana – who had Manon Lescaut Gabriella Létay Kiss Puccini, hidden away in a tiny village, decides to escape written the libretto for Edgar – his choice fell on the Des Grieux Attila Fekete, Gergely Boncsér to Paris. Elvira doesn’t believe Puccini’s denials, and Conductor Géza Köteles Abbé Prévost novel L’histoire du chevalier des Grieux et Lescaut Csaba Szegedi, Levente Molnár attacks the girl with ever increasing ferocity. Doria has Concept Szilveszter Ókovács Manon Lescaut. His wavering trust in the librettists, Géronte de Ravoir András Palerdi, István Rácz been in their service for years but now leaves. With Visual designer Sándor Márkus however, left its mark on the work process: Puccini Edmond Gergő Ujvári, Ferenc Kristofori suspicion mounting in the village, she eventually seeks Director Bálint Szilágyi “went through” three writers in three years, and he Innkeeper András Kiss solace in suicide: she drinks poison and takes several himself ended up taking on a major role in shaping Dancing master László Beöthy-Kiss days to die. Elvira flees from the scandal to Milan, while the libretto. Lamplighter Illés Rácz the autopsy reveals that the 21-year-old “little Liù” who Puccini’s imagination was captivated by the love story was so close to Puccini’s heart, had died a virgin. Later of Manon Lescaut and the Chevalier des Grieux, in Conductor Balázs Kocsár the girl’s family initiates a lawsuit, threatening Elvira which the protagonists defy social norms and the with five years in prison, until under pressure from accepted moral law in order to be with each other, Libretto based on the novel by Antoine-Francois Prévost the Puccinis they withdraw the accusations. 15 years as a similar tale of passion had taken place in the by Marco Praga, Domenico Oliva and Luigi Illica later, as Puccini is dying, he writes the opera Turandot, composer’s own life: his affair with Elvira Bonturi, Dramaturg Eszter Orbán writing the character of Liù in memory of the death of a liaison that stirred enormous emotions in him but Costume designer Anni Füzér the innocent Doria. This would become the last page of which, owing to the strictness of Italian law, could Director Máté Szabó music he would ever score. not become an official marriage, filled his life. More The Opera takes its role as a patron of the arts than one associate tried to talk him out of using seriously, and starting from 2018, is seeking to support the subject, not only because of his own personal contemporary Hungarian literature and promote opera proximity to it, but because of the tremendous success with situational dramas inspired by the history of opera. of Massenet’s own Manon as well. Fortunately, For the “Around the Ring” season in 2018, the Opera however, Puccini could not be swayed, and his ordered a drama from Balázs Szálinger, one of the first nationwide success was born, and was soon most talented authors in Hungary, on the relationship conquering stages all over the world. between Wagner and Nietzsche. Szálinger’s second After a hiatus of several years, the Opera’s audience drama will be part of the “Puccini’s Italy” season. After will get to see this work once again, this time in a last year’s beautiful serenade, Siegfried Idyll, Puccini’s fresh production directed by Máté Szabó. beautiful string music and the famous excerpt from 17 (public dress rehearsal), 18, 23, 25, 30 May, 2 June 2019 Turandot known as “Liù’s Death Scene” will play along 19, 21, 25 May 2019 OPERA HOUSE with the dramatic events of Chrysanthemums. EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE

22 PREMIERES OPERA PREMIERES OPERA 23 Giacomo Puccini Giacomo Puccini

EDGAR 16 LA RONDINE 16

(1889, Milan) The Swallow (1917, Monte-Carlo) PucciniLateNight On the programme of the Opera for the first time

Edgar is Puccini’s most rarely performed opera and Opera in three acts, in Italian, “Perhaps, like the swallow, you will wander across the Opera in three acts, in Italian, also his most debated one. He himself was dissatisfied with Hungarian and English surtitles sea, to the pure country of dreams, toward the sun, with Hungarian and English surtitles with it and revised it several times, decades later writing toward love...” is how the symbolic prophecy if the poet the dedication “May God protect you from this opera” in Prunier goes in the beginning of La Rondine, Puccini’s the score he sent to his good friend Sybil Seligman. sole work to start life as an operetta. Nevertheless, he had thrown himself enthusiastically Edgar N.N. In the smart Paris salon of the banker Rambaldo Featuring the soloists of the Hungarian Opera of Kolozsvár into composing it after the success of Le Villi. Gualtiero István Kovács and his mistress, Magda, the discussion is revolving (Cluj-Napoca) Although the publisher, Ricordi, furnished him with Frank Zsolt Haja around the vicissitudes of love and fortune and the an advance to write the work, personal difficulties and Fidelia Beatrix Fodor choice between pure desires and the possibility of Conductor József Horváth disputes with the librettist mean that the four-act ope- Tigrana Gabriella Balga buying happiness. The arrival of a young man brings Librettist Giuseppe Adami ra would only be completed after the deadline. While the debate to a boil. The company helpfully guides Edgar was well received by the La Scala audience at Conductor Gábor Káli him into the night, where in the bustle of a dance club Set designer Gergely Zöldy Z its premiere, critics denounced its dramaturgy even he becomes infatuated with Magda, “disguised” as Director Ferenc Anger as they valued the musical shaping, which is rich in Librettist Ferdinando Fontana a coquette. When she is unmasked, love takes them Partner Hungarian Opera of Kolozsvár dramatic effects, lavishing praise especially on the Costume designer Mónika Szelei on its wings to the Riviera. Nevertheless, Magda’s requiem. (Arturo Toscanini conducted this funeral Set designer Balázs Cziegler previous life seals its fate. march by Puccini’s catafalque.) Director Ádám Tulassay La rondine is the only late work of Puccini’s in a lighter Set in 14th-century Flanders, the story’s characters genre and was commissioned by the director of a bear revealing names. Edgar (wealth), the “anti-hero” Viennese theatre. Composed during World War One, destined for victory and loved by two woman who the lyric opera was premiered in the neutral territory want him for themselves, abandons the embodiment of Monte-Carlo in the spring of 1917 and won the of pure love, Fidelia (faithfulness) for the demonic approval of the Cote d’Azur audience. Although its courtesan Tigrana (the tigress). This leads to all the atmosphere evokes the world of Viennese operetta, complications and the moral questions they raise: the its plot set in Paris and on the Riviera is more burning down of the home, the protagonist enlisting reminiscent of La bohème and La Dame aux Camélias. as a soldier to escape from a lover he is now tired of With virtuosic ease he weaves into his remarkably and having himself declared dead, later taking part in scored symphonic compositional elements of his own funeral in disguise, being shamed as a traitor, contemporary dance music, including the waltz, tango, the bribery of Tigrana, and finally, the murder. polka and foxtrot. Edgar has only been presented in Hungary once, at The Opera is now giving the work its first Hungarian a semi-staged concert version at the Opera House as staging since it was first presented in this country in part of the 2008 . Now, a 1927 at the City Theatre, in a production directed by decade later, it is returning to the Opera, this time Ferenc Anger being mounted in partnership with in a fully staged co-production with Hungary’s arts 24, 26, 28 May 2019 the Hungarian Opera of Kolozsvár (Cluj-Napoca). 26, 27 May 2019 academies, as part of the LateNight series. EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE ERKEL THEATRE

24 PREMIERES OPERA PREMIERES OPERA 25 Claudio Monteverdi Sir Kenneth MacMillan / Ferenc Liszt / John Lanchbery L’INCORONAZIONE DI POPPEA 16 MAYERLING 18

The Coronation of Poppea (1642, Venice) (1978, London)

The Baroque premiere for the 2018/19 season will be Opera in three acts, in Italian, “Thrilling and shocking” is how Mary Clarke, The Ballet in three acts Monteverdi’s final work for the stage; L’incoronazion with Hungarian and English surtitles Guardian’s dance critic, described Mayerling. Sir di Poppea is one of the first operas to employ a libretto Kenneth MacMillan created his fourth full-length based not on literary or mythological sources, but ballet after leaving his position as The Royal Ballet’s rather on historical events: Poppea, the lover of the artistic director in order to dedicate all his energy to emperor Nerone, decides to have herself crowned em- Poppea/Virtus/Pallas Bori Keszei choreographing. The artist was inspired by George Crown Prince Rudolf Gergely Leblanc, Igor Tsvirko, Zoltán Oláh press, with her efforts ending in success. Nerone Szabolcs Brickner Marek’s book The Eagles Die, with its depiction of the Maria Vetsera, Rudolf’s lover Tatiana Melnik, Tanykpayeva Aliya, Premiered during Venice’s 1642/43 carnival season Ottavia/Fortuna Andrea Szántó era of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, Felméry Lili and performed again in Naples in 1651, this master- Otto Zoltán Daragó to present the tragic story of Crown Prince Rudolf and Countess Larisch, Rudolf’s former lover Karina Sarkissova, Lea Földi, piece actually vanished until its score was rediscovered Arnalta Éva Balatoni his young lover Maria Vetsera not in the customary Cristina Balaban in 1888. Calling the characters “famously problematic, Seneca Péter Fried romanticised manner, but in light of the social, political Empress Elisabeth, Rudolf’s mother Aleszja Popova, Ágnes Kelemen, “musicologist Tim Carter declared the overall mes- Drusilla/Ámor Zita Szemere and personal pressure that weighed down on them. Kseniia Kulikova sage of the opera “at best ambiguous and at worst per- Damigella Zsófia Nagy MacMillan fashioned the true story of the crown prince Princess Stephanie, Rudolf’s wife Yuliya Golovyna, Anna Krupp, verted”. Indeed, moving away from traditional literary Libertius Attila Dobák and his lover’s 1889 double suicide into an intensively Ildikó Boros morals, the adulterous relationship between Poppea Lictor András Kiss dark and extremely powerful ballet that many consider Mizzi Kaspar, Rudolf’s lover Jessica Carulla Leon, Diana Kosyreva, and Nerone emerges triumphant in this work. to be his most outstanding work. The sweeping power Kristina Starostina When it was created, the genre of opera was scarcely Conductor György Vashegyi of the work’s musical world is supplied by the music Bratfisch, Rudolf’s driver András József Rónai, Miklós Dávid Kerényi, more than a few decades old, but many people at the of Ferenc Liszt: apart from the perfect atmosphere it Balázs Majoros time and ever since have praised the music of the Libretto Giovanni Francesco Busenello creates, the choice is an apt one because Liszt personally 75-year-old master for its originality, melodiousness Set designer Júlia Balázs dedicated many of his piano pieces to “Sissi”, the empress Choreographer Sir Kenneth MacMillan and sophisticated depiction of the human traits of its Costume designer Dóra Pattantyús herself. John Lanchbery created the music for the Music compiled and arranged from works characters. These all show that Poppea’s modernity Director Kriszta Székely work from 30 pieces by Liszt. The choreography strikes by Ferenc Liszt by John Lanchbery has not changed a bit over the years, so it always af- a balance between the massive and the intimate while Libretto Gillian Freeman fords exciting opportunities to those staging it. The also experimenting with expanding the boundaries of Visual designer Nicholas Georgiadis work is being directed in the Eiffel Art Studios by classical ballet. The role of Rudolf is one of the most Set designer John B. Read Kriszta Székely, whom the Hungarian Association trying challenges in the ballet literature, with the crown Company répétiteurs Mária Aradi, Imre Dózsa, Angéla Kövessy, of Theatre Critics presented with its “Best Production” prince’s psychological and emotional collapse depicted Ildikó Pongor, György Szirb, Marianna Venekei award last season. through seven exceptionally intense pas de deux. In the view of Clement Crisp, with this choreo­graphy, Conductor Domonkos Héja MacMillan moved the narrative of the three-act ballet away from 19th-century conventions and the stan- dard fairy-tale characters and into a format that better matched the harsher realism of modern life. Thirteen years after it was last staged at the Opera – when it ran for a total of 27 performances between 2004 and 2006 – the piece is returning to the Hungarian National Ballet’s repertoire. This time, the 1, 2, 4, 8 June 2019 audience will get to see the production in a brand-new 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 June 2019 EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE implementation that follows the original designs. OPERA HOUSE

26 PREMIERES OPERA PREMIERES OPERA 27 PROGRAMME SERIES TUNING SERIES QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS 7 DAYS PROGRAMME Premiere Primers Why like this and not some other way? Special Days in the Home of Hungarian Opera

There could hardly be a more worthwhile initiative for This series launched by the Opera in 2013 can be seen As the nation’s largest cultural institution, the the Opera than to attempt to provide a clearer under- in numerous opera houses worldwide: our ten séances Hungarian State Opera feels an obligation to the standing of the essence of its latest productions with explore the driving forces behind the most exciting entire Hungarian nation and its culture. For this these special, illustrated presentations on each of the productions to premiere at the Opera House. These reason, since January 2013, we have been showing new works entering its repertoire. The Tuning Series public events, taking place as part of each premiere, artistically realised étude films prior to the evening’s of 45-minute programmes (or 30 minutes, in the case run one hour prior to the performance on the given performance on seven of the nation’s and the Opera’s of ballet-themed performances) for each of the season’s evening. Entry to the seating area is free to representa- most important days of mourning and memorial, premieres continues into the new season too, and can tives of the press and hard-core opera fans holding a all accompanied by the orchestra playing excerpts of be visited free of charge in the Opera House’s Red Sa- ticket to one of the performances for the given work. music fitting for the occasion, since in the turbulence lon, in the Bernáth Buffet at the Erkel Theatre, in the The creative team behind the opera production ex- of everyday life and work, many visitors do not even Eiffel Art Studios or at Müpa Budapest an hour prior to plains the concept behind the set design and fields realise when these dates have arrived on the calendar. the start of the given opera or ballet production. questions from the floor. The events will be recorded, The animated series is the work of film director Géza edited and made available on the Opera House’s social M. Tóth, with musical accompaniment provided by Our presenters will include ballet mistress Ildikó Pongor, chorus master media pages and OpeRadio. composer Géza Köteles, who was also the Opera’s Gáspár Krasznai, music historians Máté Mesterházi and Szabolcs Molnár, conducting répétiteur. The étude films of the 7 Days as well as author Ferenc László. Moderators: Dávid Zsoldos, music historian, and Balázs Majoros, Programme can also be viewed on our website. semi-soloist for the Hungarian National Ballet Registration [email protected] Registration [email protected] 6 October 2018 - Day of memorial for the Martyrs of Arad - national day of Venues Erkel Theatre – Bernáth Buffet, Müpa Budapest – Auditorium, memorial (Erkel Hunyadi László - Funeral March) Opera House – Red Salon Venues Erkel Theatre – stage, Müpa Budapest: Festival Theatre – stage, Opera House – stage 4 November 2018 – Day of memorial for the crushing of the 1956 Revolution - national day of memorial (Beethoven Egmont Overture) Date Venue Performance Date Venue Performance 7 November 2018 – Hungarian Opera Day - Ferenc Erkel’s birthday 22 September 2018 (Sat) 6 pm Erkel Carmina Burana (Erkel Bánk Bán – Hazám, hazám) 12 October 2018 (Fri) 6 pm Müpa Triple Dance 25 September 2018 (Tue) 6 pm Erkel Carmina Burana 1 December 2018 (Sat) 5.30 pm Erkel La Fanciulla del West 14 October 2018 (Sun) 6 pm Müpa Triple Dance 22 January 2019 – Day of Hungarian Culture (Kodály: Song from the Háry János Suite) 27 January 2019 (Sun) 6 pm Eiffel L’oca del Cairo 6 December 2018 (Thu) 6 pm Erkel La Fanciulla del West 22 February 2019 (Fri) 5 pm Erkel Gioconda 1 February 2019 (Fri) 6 pm Eiffel L’oca del Cairo 25 February 2019 – Day of memorial for Victims of Communist Dictatorships 28 February 2019 (Thu) 5 pm Erkel Gioconda 16 March 2019 (Sat) 6 pm Eiffel The Gold and (Dohnányi Stabat Mater, 1953) the Woman, Tóték 23 March 2019 (Sat) 6 pm Eiffel The Gold and 18 May 2019 (Sat) 6 pm Erkel Manon Lescaut the Woman, Tóték 16 April 2019 – Day of memorial for Victims of the Holocaust 19 May 2019 (Sun) 6 pm Eiffel Chrysantemums 21 May 2019 (Tue) 6 pm Eiffel Chrysantemums (Mahler Ruckert Lieder, No. 3) 24 May 2019 (Fri) 6 pm Eiffel Edgar 23 May 2019 (Thu) 6 pm Erkel Manon Lescaut 4 June 2019 - Trianon Memorial Day - Day of National Solidarity (Bartók 26 May 2019 (Sun) 6 pm Erkel La Rondine 26 May 2019 (Sun) 6 pm Eiffel Edgar Hungarian Sketches – Evening with the Szeklers) 1 June 2019 (Sat) 6 pm Eiffel L’incoronazione di 4 June 2019 (Tue) 6 pm Eiffel L’incoronazione di Poppea Poppea 22 June 2019 (Sat) 5 pm Opera Mayerling 27 June 2019 (Thu) 5 pm Opera Mayerling

30 CALENDAR 18-19 PROGRAMME SERIES CALENDAR 18-19 PROGRAMME SERIES 31 REPERTOIRE OPERA Ferenc Erkel Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

14 10 BÁNK BÁN LE NOZZE DI FIGARO (1861, Pest, National Theatre) (1786, Vienna)

Opera in two parts, three acts, in Hungarian, Comic opera in two parts, four acts, in Italian with Hungarian and English surtitles The Count Csaba Szegedi Endre II, king of Hungary Marcell Bakonyi, András Káldi Kiss The Countess Adrienn Miksch Gertrud Ildikó Komlósi, Judit Németh Susanna Rita Rácz Otto Péter Balczó, István Horváth Figaro Krisztián Cser Bánk Bán Levente Molnár, Csaba Szegedi, Boldizsár László Bartolo László Szvétek Melinda Zita Szemere, Orsolya Hajnalka Rőser Marcellina Éva Balatoni Tiborc Kolos Kováts, István Rácz, Alexandru Agache Basilio Tibor Szappanos Petur bán Zsolt Haja, Zoltán Kelemen, Levent Molnár Cherubino Gabriella Balga Biberach Lajos Geiger, Antal Cseh Antonio András Hábetler A Royal Officer Gergely Irlanda Barbarina Nóra Ducza Don Curzio János Szerekován Conductors Adám Medveczky, Balázs Kocsár, Tamás Pál Conductors Balázs Kocsár, István Dénes Librettists Béni Egressy, Kálmán Nádasdy Director Attila Vidnyánszky Librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte Set designer Oleksandr Bilozub Director Judit Galgóczy Costume designer Viktória Nagy Set designer Attila Csikós Choreographer Árpád Könczei Costume designer Nelly Vágó Dramaturge Eszter Orbán Choreographer András Nádasdy

This production’s text and musical materials were adapted from the work’s original and baritone versions.

16 June 2018 (tenor version, opera in concert) ERKEL THEATRE 1 September 2018 (tenor version, opera in concert) Rain date: 2 September 2018 (Sun) 7 pm BEREGSZÁSZ – ARÉNA 30 October, 3 November 2018 NEW YORK 7-20 January 2019 (opera in concert) 25 July 2018 SOUTH KOREA – TAEGU (DAEGU) SAAREMAA – OPERA TENT 14, 16, 21, 29 March and 2, 7 April 2019 28, 30 June 2019, Rain dates: 1, 2 July ERKEL THEATRE MARGARET ISLAND OPEN-AIR STAGE

34 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 35 Johann Strauss Jr.

16 10 LA TR AVIATA DER ZIGEUNERBARON (1853, Venice) The Gypsy Baron (1885, Vienna)

Opera in two parts, three acts, in Italian, Grand operetta in three acts, in Hungarian, with Hungarian and English surtitles with English surtitles

Violetta Valéry Erika Miklósa, Polina Pasztircsák Sándor Barinkay Gergely Boncsér Flora Bervoix Melinda Heiter, Krisztina Simon, Gabriella Balga Szaffi Ildikó Szakács Annina Erika Markovics, Éva Balatoni Czipra, a gypsy woman Bernadett Wiedemann Alfredo Germont Boldizsár László, Gergely Boncsér Kálmán Zsupán, a pig farmer László Szvétek Giorgio Germont Anatoliy Fokanov, Zoltán Kelemen Arsena, his daughter Orsolya Hajnalka Rőser Gastone Tibor Szappanos, Gergely Ujvári Conte Carnero, royal commissioner András Káldi Kiss Baron Douphol András Káldi Kiss Mirabella, Arsena’s governess Éva Balatoni Marquis d’Obigny Máté Fülep Ottokar, her son János Szerekován Doctor Grenvil András Kiss Homonnay, recruiting colonel Lajos Geiger Maria Theresa Zsuzsa Csarnóy Featuring Dancers of the Hungarian National Ballet Town crier András Hábetler

Conductor Balázs Kocsár Conductor Domonkos Héja

Librettist Francesco Maria Piave Libretto based on Mór Jókai’s novella “The Gypsy Baron” Ignaz Schnitzer Director Ferenc Anger Hungarian lyrics Sándor Fischer Visual concept Gergely Zöldy Z Director, Hungarian text Miklós Szinetár Choreographer Marianna Venekei Set designer Balázs Horesnyi Dramaturge Judit Kenesey Costume designer Márta Pilinyi Choreographer Gábor Mihályi Choreographer’s assistant Edit Marosi Dramaturge Judit Kenesey

26 July 2018 SAAREMAA – OPERA TENT 30, 31 March and 3, 4, 6, 12 April 2019 27 July 2018 ERKEL THEATRE SAAREMAA – OPERA TENT

36 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 37 Ferenc Erkel Leos Janaček

14 14 HUNYADI LÁSZLÓ JEN FA (1844, Budapest, National Theatre) (1904, Brno)

Opera in three acts, in Hungarian Opera in three acts, in Czech

László V Tibor Szappanos Grandmother Buryjovka Éva Balatoni Ulrik Cillei István Rácz Laca Klemen István Kovácsházi Erzsébet Szilágyi Orsolya Hajnalka Rőser Steva Buryja B. Atilla Kiss László Hunyadi Attila Fekete Kostelnička Helena Zubanovich Mátyás Hunyadi Gabriella Balga Jenůfa Szilvia Rálik Miklós Gara Zoltán Kelemen Foreman at the mill Gábor Bretz Mária Gara Erika Miklósa Mayor László Szvétek Mihály Szilágyi András Káldi Kiss Mayor’s wife Andrea Ulbrich Rozgonyi Máté Fülep Karolka Kriszta Simon Neighbour woman Éva Várhelyi Conductor Balázs Kocsár Barena Erika Markovics Jano Eszter Zavaros Librettist Béni Egressy Director Gábor Szűcs Conductors Balázs Kocsár, Petr Popelka Assistant to the director Csaba Vasvári Set designer Katalin Libor Librettist Gabriela Preissová Constume designer Enikő Kárpáti Director Attila Vidnyánszky Choreographer Csanád Kováts Gergely Choreographer András Nádasdy Visual concept Oleksandr Bilozub

24, 25 (Warsaw), 27, 28 (Bratislava), 10 September 2018 29, 30 (Prague) September 2018 ZAGREB – CROATIAN NATIONAL THEATRE V4 OPERA TOUR

38 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 39 Zoltán Kodály Károly Goldmark

THE SPINNING ROOM 10 DIE KÖNIGIN Székely Fonó (1932, Budapest, Hungarian Royal Opera) VON SABA 14 The Queen of Sheba (1875, Vienna) Folk scenes in one part, in Hungarian

Opera in four acts, two parts, in German, Housewife Atala Schöck with Hungarian and English surtitles Suitor Zsolt Haja Young man Gergely Ujvári King Solomon Zoltán Kelemen Neighbour / the Young man’s mother Andrea Ulbrich High Priest Péter Fried Young girl Orsolya Sáfár Sulamith Eszter Sümegi Flea Zoltán Gradsach Assad Boldizsár László The young girl’s mother Éva Balatoni Baal-Hanan Róbert Rezsnyák Queen of Sheba Erika Gál Featuring Dancers of the Duna Art Ensemble Astaroth Eszter Zavaros Guardian of the temple Ferenc Cserhalmi Conductors Balázs Kocsár, Petr Popelka Conductor János Kovács Director Michał Znaniecki Set designer Luigi Scoglio Librettist Hermann Salomon Mosenthal Assistant to the set designer Alejandro Contreras Cortés Director Csaba Káel Costume designer Magdalena Dabrowska Set designer Éva Szendrényi Animation and lighting designer Bogumił Palewicz Costume designer Anikó Németh Choreographer Zsolt Juhász Choreographer Marianna Venekei Choreographer’s assistant Edit Marosi Dramaturge Eszter Orbán

31 October and 2 November 2018 24, 25 (Warsaw), 27, 28 (Bratislava), NEW YORK 29, 30 (Prague) September 2018 13 January 2019 (opera in concert) V4 OPERA TOUR MÜPA BUDAPEST – BÉLA BARTÓK NATIONAL CONCERT HALL

40 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 41 János Vajda Béla Bartók Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

10 MARIO AND BLUEBEARD’S CASTLE 16 DIE ZAUBERFLÖTE 16 A Kékszakállú Herceg Vára (1918, Budapest, The Magic Flute (1791, Vienna) THE MAGICIAN Hungarian Royal Opera) Mario és a Varázsló (1988, Budapest, Hungarian State Opera)

Opera in one act, in Hungarian, Singspiel in two acts, in Hungarian, Opera in one act, in Hungarian, with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles Judith Ildikó Komlósi Sarastro András Palerdi Cipolla András Palerdi Bluebeard András Palerdi Tamino Tibor Szappanos Mario Balázs Csémy The Queen of the Night Orsolya Hajnalka Rőser Signora Angiolieri Orsolya Hajnalka Rőser Conductor Balázs Kocsár Pamina Andrea Rost Signore Angiolieri Antal Cseh First Lady Beatrix Fodor Blackshirt István Rácz Librettist Béla Balázs Second Lady Gabriella Balga Roman man Lajos Geiger Director Péter Galambos Third Lady Gabriella Busa Set designer Péter Galambos Old Priest István Rácz Conductor Balázs Kocsár Costume designer Enikő Kárpáti Young Priest Zoltán Megyesi Choreographer Csaba Solti Papageno Csaba Sándor Librettist Gábor Bókkon Papagena Zsófia Nagy Director Péter Galambos This performance can be viewed along with the production of Monostatos Tivadar Kiss Set designer Péter Galambos Mario and the Magician. First Armoured Man Péter Kiss Costume designer Enikő Kárpáti Second Armoured Man László Szvétek Choreographer Csaba Solti Conductor Halász Péter This performance can be viewed along with the production of Bluebeard’s Castle. Librettist Emanuel Schikaneder Hungarian text compiled by Miklós Szinetár based on the translation by Zsolt Harsányi Director Miklós Szinetár Set designer Péter Horgas Costume designer Rita Velich Choreographer András Nádasdy

1, 3 November 2018 1, 3 November 2018 2, 5, 7, 9 December 2018 NEW YORK NEW YORK ERKEL THEATRE

42 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 43 Giacomo Puccini Johann Strauss Jr Giuseppe Verdi

14 14 14 LA BOHÈME DIE FLEDERMAUS NABUCCO (1896, Turin) The Bat (1874, Vienna) (1836, Milan)

Opera in three parts, four acts, in Italian Grand operetta in three acts, in Hungarian, Opera in three parts, four acts, in Italian, with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles Rodolfo Gergely Boncsér, István Horváth, Boldizsár László, Attila Fekete Schaunard Attila Dobák, Csaba Sándor Eisenstein István Kovácsházi Nabucco Alexandru Agache Marcello Csaba Szegedi, Zsolt Haja, Levente Molnár Rosalinde Klára Kolonits Ismaele István Horváth Colline Krisztián Cser, Marcell Bakonyi Frank Tamás Szüle Zaccaria András Palerdi Mimi Lilla Horti, Gabriella Létay Kiss, Orsolya Sáfár Orlofsky Andrea Meláth Abigail Szilvia Rálik Musetta Orsolya Hajnalka Rőser, Zita Váradi, Rita Rácz, Ildikó Szakács Alfred Szabolcs Brickner Fenena Erika Gál Benoît Tamás Szüle, András Hábetler, Ferenc Cserhalmi Falke Zoltán Bátki Fazekas High Priest of Baal Ferenc Cserhalmi Alcindoro András Kőrösi, Sándor Egri, Tamás Szüle, Ferenc Cserhalmi Blind Gergely Ujvári Abdallo Ferenc Kristofori Adele Erika Miklósa Anna Mónika Budai-Langermann Conductors Gergely Kesselyák, István Dénes, János Kovács, Frosch Péter Vida Balázs Kocsár Ida Andrea Tallós Conductor Domonkos Héja

Librettists Illica Luigi, Giacosa Giuseppe Conductor János Kovács Librettist Temistocle Solera Director Kálmán Nádasdy Director Gergely Kesselyák Staged by Sándor Palcsó Librettist Richard Genée, Carl Haffner Set designer Edit Zeke Set designer Gusztáv Oláh Translated by Ágnes Romhányi, Sándor Fischer Costume designer Janó Papp Costume designer Tivadar Márk Director Miklós Szinetár Choreographer Attila Kozma Set designer Attila Csikós Information on our alternative production, La bohème 2.0, can be found on page 61. Costume designer Nelly Vágó Choreographer Jenő Lőcsei

8, 15, 21, 23, 25, 27 December 2018 ERKEL THEATRE 8 (Hódmezővásárhely), 11 (Salgótarján), 13 (Kecskemét), 15 (Komárom), 18 (Békéscsaba) February 2019, 2 (Dunaszerdahely), 8 (Novi Sad), 22 (Oradea), 29 (Satu Mare) March 2019 – concert performances 31 December 2018, 2, 3, 5 January 2019 4, 6, 11, 13 January 2019 OPERA FROM THE OPERA HOUSE! ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE

44 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 45 Giacomo Meyerbeer

16 LES HUGUENOTS L’ITALIANA IN ALGERI 12 (1836, Paris) The Italian Girl in Algiers (1813, Venice)

Opera in three parts, five acts, in French, Comic opera in two acts, in Hungarian, with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles

Marguerite de Valois, Queen of Navarre Klára Kolonits Isabella, the Italian girl Viktória Mester, Gabriella Balga Urbain, the Queen’s page Gabriella Balga Lindoro, in love with Isabella Alasdair Kent, Vassilis Kavayas Le Comte de Saint-Bris Antal Cseh Mustafa, the Bey of Algiers András Palerdi, Marcell Bakonyi Valentine, his daughter Gabriella Létay Kiss Elvira, his wife Orsolya Sáfár, Zita Szemere Raoul de Nangis, a Protestant gentleman Gergely Boncsér Zulma, her confidante Gabriella Balga, Krisztina Simon Marcel, Raoul’s servant N.N. Taddeo, Isabella’s escort Bruno Taddia, Antal Cseh Le Comte de Nevers Csaba Sándor Haly Attila Dobák Cossé, a Catholic gentleman Tivadar Kiss Tavannes, a Catholic gentleman Jenő Dékán Featuring Dancers of the Hungarian National Ballet Thoré, a Catholic gentleman Ferenc Cserhalmi De Retz, a Catholic gentleman Máté Fülep Conductor Francesco Lanzillotta Méru, a Catholic gentleman Béla Laborfalvi Soós Maurevert, a Catholic gentleman András Kiss Librettist Angelo Anelli Bois-Rosé, a Huguenot soldier Ferenc Kristofori Director Máté Szabó Valet Dániel Roska Set designer Balázs Cziegler First Maid of Honor Judit Kerék Costume designer Anni Füzér Second Maid of Honor Mónika Németh Choreographer Gábor Katona Town crier Attila Búra Dramaturge Judit Kenesey First monk Gábor Csiki Second monk / First Protestant duel assistant Géza Zsigmond Third monk / Second Protestant duel assistant Attila Fenyvesi

Featuring Dancers of the Hungarian National Ballet

Conductor Oliver von Dohnányi

Librettists Eugene Scribe, Émile Deschamps Director János Szikora Set designer Balázs Horesnyi Costume designer Yvette Alida Kovács Choreographer Csaba Sebestyén

23, 25, 27, 31 January 2019 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 February 2019 ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE

46 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 47 Gaetano Donizetti Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

LUCIA 12 DI LAMMERMOOR 14 COSÌ FAN TUTTE (1835, Naples) (1790, Vienna)

Opera in three acts, in Italian, Comic opera in two acts, in Italian, with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles

Enrico Mihály Kálmándy, Csaba Szegedi Fiordiligi Lilla Horti Lucia Edita Gruberova, Klára Kolonits Dorabella Gabriella Balga Edgardo István Horváth, Péter Balczó Ferrando Gyula Rab Arturo Tibor Szappanos, Gergely Ujvári Guglielmo Zoltán Nagy Raimondo Péter Fried, András Palerdi Despina Zita Szemere Alisa Ágnes Anna Kun, Éva Várhelyi Don Alfonso Péter Kálmán Normanno Gergely Biri Conductor N.N. Conductor Peter Valentovič Librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte Librettist Salvatore Cammarano Director Miklós Szinetár Director Máté Szabó Set designer Gábor Forray Set designer Balázs Cziegler Costume designer Judit Schäffer Costume designer Ildi Tihanyi Choreographer Csaba Sebestyén Choreographer Csaba Sebestyén Dramaturge Eszter Orbán

9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 23 February 2019 2019. március 1., 3., 5., 8. ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE

48 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 49 Pongrác Kacsóh

16 CARMEN JÁNOS VITÉZ (1875, Paris) John the Valiant (1904, Budapest, Király Theatre)

Opera in two parts, four acts, in French, Singspiel in three parts, in Hungarian, with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles

Carmen Viktória Mester János Vitéz Gergely Ujvári Don José Francesco Pio Galasso, Gergely Boncsér Iluska Eszter Zavaros Micaëla Zita Váradi, Polina Pasztircsák Bagó Marcell Bakonyi Escamillo Gábor Bretz, Levente Molnár The French King Péter Haumann Morales András Káldi Kiss The French Princess Rita Rácz Zuniga István Rácz Illuska Éva Balatoni Frasquita Zsófia Nagy Sergeant Róbert Rezsnyák Mercédes Zsófia Kálnay Hayward András Kőrösi Le Remendado Zoltán Megyesi Bartoló, the scholar Péter Kiss Le Dancaire Zoltán Bátki Fazekas Conductor Márton Rácz Featuring the Honvéd Male Choir Composer Pongrác Kacsóh Conductor István Dénes Musical adaptation Jenő Kenessey Librettists Jenő Heltai, Károly Bakonyi Based on a novella of the same title by Prosper Mérimée Director Sándor Palcsó Librettists Henri Meilhac, Ludovic Halévy Set designer Attila Csikós Director Pál Oberfrank Costume designer Judit Beda Set designer László Székely Choreographer Andrea P. Merlo, András Nádasdy Costume designer Márta Pilinyi Choreographer Marianna Venekei

7, 9, 13, 17 March 2019 9, 10, 16, 17, 30, 31 March 2019 ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE

50 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 51 George Gershwin Henry Purcell

16 16 PORGY AND BESS THE FAIRY-QUEEN (1935, Boston) (1692, London)

Opera in three acts, in English, Opera in two parts, five acts, in English, with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English subtitles

Porgy András Palerdi, Marcell Bakonyi The Fairy-Queen Rita Rácz Bess Gabriella Létay Kiss, Orsolya Sáfár The Poet Péter Fried Sportin’ Life Péter Balczó, Boldizsár László The Stranger Gianluca Margheri Crown Csaba Szegedi, Károly Szemerédy Two Girls Nóra Ducza, Bori Keszei Jake Zsolt Haja, Máté Fülep The Boy Zoltán Daragó Clara Beatrix Fodor, Orsolya Hajnalka Rőser The Lover Gyula Rab Robbins Gergely Ujvári The Chinese Man Tibor Szappanos Serena Anikó Bakonyi, Gabriella Fodor Maria Andrea Meláth, Andrea Szántó Conductor Gergely Vajda Mingo Tivadar Kiss Peter Ferenc Kristofori Librettist Anonymous Frazier / Undertaker Lajos Geiger Director András Almási-Tóth Crab man / Nelson János Szerekován Set designer Sebastian Hannak Detective Artúr Kálid Costume designer Krisztina Lisztopád Mr. Archdale / Coroner Dániel Viktor Nagy Motion designer Kristóf Widder Policeman Dr. Marcelo Cake-Baly Dramaturge Kinga Keszthelyi Scipio Botond Takács, Viktor Tóth Musical interlude Kornél Fekete-Kovács

Featuring Dancers of the Hungarian National Ballet

Conductor István Dénes

Written and composed by George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, Ira Gershwin Director András Almási-Tóth Set designer Sebastian Hannak Costume designer Krisztina Lisztopád Choreographer Dóra Barta

Disclaimer from copyright holders: “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.”

5, 6, 7, 13, 16, 17 April 2019 12, 14, 25, 28 April 2019 ERKEL THEATRE EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE

52 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 53 Pietro Mascagni Ruggero Leoncavallo

CAVALLERIA 16 16 RUSTICANA PAGLIACCI Rustic Chivalry (1890, Rome) Clowns (1893, Milan)

Opera in one act, in Italian, Opera in one act, in Italian, with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles

Turiddu Attila Fekete, Boldizsár László* Canio Kamen Chanev Santuzza Ildikó Komlósi Nedda Gabriella Létay Kiss Lucia Éva Balatoni Tonio Alexandru Agache Alfio Csaba Szegedi, Zoltán Kelemen* Peppe Péter Balczó Lola Zsófia Kálnay Silvio Zsolt Haja

Conductor Marco Comin Conductor Marco Comin

Libretto based on the play of the same name by Giovanni Verga Librettist Ruggero Leoncavallo Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti, Guido Menasci Director Georges Delnon Director Georges Delnon Set designer Madeleine Schleich Set designer Madeleine Schleich Costume designer Prisca Baumann Costume designer Prisca Baumann Pagliacci will be performed together with Cavalleria Rusticana on the same evening. Cavalleria Rusticana will be performed together with Mascagni Messa di Gloria on 21 April, and on all other occassions together with Pagliacci.

*Artists appearing only in the 21 April performance

18, 25, 27, 28 April 2019 ERKEL THEATRE

21 April 2019 (opera in concert) EIFFEL ART STUDIOS 18, 25, 27, 28 April 2019 ERKEL THEATRE

54 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 55 Johann Sebastian Bach Zoltán Kodály Giacomo Puccini Félix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

10 16 MATTHÄUS-PASSION 14 HÁRY JÁNOS TOSCA St Matthew Passion (1727, Leipzig) (1926, Budapest, Hungarian Royal Opera) (1900, Rome)

Oratorio in two parts, in German, Singspiel in two parts, in Hungarian, Opera in three acts, in Italian, with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles

The Evangelist Dávid Szigetvári Háry János Zoltán Nagy, Zsolt Haja, Antal Cseh Floria Tosca Eszter Sümegi, Andrea Rost Jesus István Kovács Old Háry László Csurka Mario Cavaradossi István Kovácsházi, Atilla B. Kiss Soprano Gabriella Fodor Örzse Gabriella Balga, Erika Gál, Atala Schöck Scarpia Anatoliy Fokanov, Mihály Kálmándy Alto Atala Schöck Emperor Franz / Judge András Kőrösi, Tamás Szalma Cesare Angelotti Antal Cseh, István Kovács, Marcell Bakonyi Tenor Zoltán Megyesi The Empress Mária Farkasréti, Zita Váradi, Tünde Szabóki Sacristan László Szvétek, Tamás Szüle Bass Marcell Bakonyi Napoleon / Abraham, an innkeeper András Hábetler, Zoltán Bátki Fazekas Spoletta László Haramza, János Szerekován, Zoltán Megyesi Mary Louise, wife of Napoleon Éva Várhelyi, Lúcia Megyesi Schwartz, Sciarrone Tamás Busa Conductor Gábor Csiki Zsófia Kálnay Baron Ebelasztin János Szerekován, Tivadar Kiss, Jenő Dékán Conductor Ádám Medveczky, Péter Halász Visual concept and animation Géza M. Tóth, Balázs Fekti, Old Marci, emperor’s coachman Géza Gábor, Tamás Busa, László Szvétek Antonin Krizsanics, Miklós Gerdelics, Tibor Nagy General Krucifix Balázs Csémy Librettist Luigi Illica, Giuseppe Giacosa Consultant Zsolt Czakó Director Viktor Nagy Director Géza M. Tóth Featuring Members of the Csillagszemű Dance Ensemble Set designer Tamás Vayer Costume designer Nelly Vágó Conductor Ádám Medveczky, Máté Hámori, Levente Török

Librettist Béla Paulini, Zsolt Harsányi Director Attila Vidnyánszky Set designer Oleksandr Bilozub Costume designer Bianca Imelda Jeremias Choreographer Péter Gemza Dramaturge Zsolt Szász

19, 25 May 2019 OPERA HOUSE

30 November 2018 (Tatabánya), 3 (Nagykanizsa), 10 (Zalaegerszeg), 17 (Szekszárd) December 2018, 4 (Kaposvár), 7 (Sopron), 16 (Veszprém), 21 (Nyíregyháza), 20, 22 April 2019 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 April and 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 May 2019 28 (Eger) January 2019 – concert performances EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE ERKEL THEATRE OPERA FROM THE OPERA HOUSE!

56 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 57 Giacomo Puccini Giacomo Puccini Giacomo Puccini

16 16 16 IL TABARRO SUOR ANGELICA GIANNI SCHICCHI The Cloak (1918, New York) Sister Angelica (1918, New York) (1918, New York)

Opera in one act, in Italian, Opera in one act, in Italian, Opera in one act, in Italian, with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles

Michele Károly Szemerédy Sister Angelica Zita Váradi Gianni Schicchi Péter Kálmán Giorgetta Csilla Boross The Princess Ildikó Komlósi Lauretta Orsolya Sáfár Luigi Kamen Chanev The Abbess Éva Balatoni Zita Bernadett Wiedemann Tinca János Szerekován Mistress of the novices Mária Farkasréti Rinuccio Szabolcs Brickner Talpa Géza Gábor Sister Genovieffa Ágnes Molnár Nella Bori Keszei La Frugola Bernadett Wiedemann Monitress Kornélia Bakos Gherardo János Szerekován Song seller Illés Rácz Sister Osmina Márta Kempf Betto di Signa András Kiss Sister Dolcina Mónika Budai-Langermann Simone Tamás Szüle Conductor Gergely Kesselyák Nursing sister Ágnes Anna Kun Marco Tamás Busa First and second alms sisters Zsuzsanna Bazsinka, Erika Markovics La Ciesca Mária Farkasréti Librettist Giuseppe Adami First and second novices Nadin Haris, Eszter Zavaros Maestro Spinelloccio, a doctor András Kőrösi Director Ferenc Anger First and second lay sisters Nikoletta Bolya Papp, Júlia Magassy Amantio di Nicolao, a notary Zoltán Bátki Fazekas Set and costume designer Gergely Zöldy Z Pinellino, a cobbler Álmos Gyarmati Dramaturge Judit Kenesey Conductor Gergely Kesselyák Guccio, a dyer László Szentimrei

Il Tabarro, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi are each parts of Puccini’s Librettist Giovacchino Forzano Conductor Gergely Kesselyák Il trittico (The Tryptich). Director Ferenc Anger Set and costume designer Gergely Zöldy Z Librettist Giovacchino Forzano Dramaturge Judit Kenesey Director Ferenc Anger Set and costume designer Gergely Zöldy Z Il Tabarro, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi are each parts of Puccini’s Dramaturge Judit Kenesey Il trittico (The Triptych). Il Tabarro, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi are each parts of Puccini’s Il trittico (The Triptych).

23, 25 May 2019 23, 25 May 2019 23, 25 May 2019 ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE

58 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 59 Giacomo Puccini Giacomo Puccini Giacomo Puccini

14 14 14 TURANDOT MADAMA BUTTERFLY LA BOHÈME 2.0 (1926, Milano) Madam Butterfly (1904, Milan) (1896, Turin)

Opera in three acts, five scenes, in Italian, Opera in three acts, in Italian, Opera in two parts, four acts, in Italian, with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles

Turandot Szilvia Rálik, Gyöngyi Lukács, Tünde Szabóki Cio-Cio-san Andrea Rost Rodolfo István Horváth The Emperor Altoum István Róka, Péter Kiss Suzuki Andrea Ulbrich Schaunard Csaba Sándor Timur Péter Fried, László Szvétek, István Rácz Kate Eszter Zavaros Marcello Zsolt Haja Calaf Rafael Rojas, István Kovácsházi Pinkerton Boldizsár László Colline Krisztián Cser Liu Kinga Kriszta, Orsolya Sáfár Sharpless Anatoliy Fokanov Mimi Orsolya Sáfár Ping Zoltán Kelemen, Lajos Geiger Goro Zoltán Megyesi Musetta Rita Rácz Pang István Horváth, Zoltán Megyesi Yamadori Róbert Rezsnyák Benoît Tamás Szüle Pong Gergely Ujvári, Tivadar Kiss Bonzo Ferenc Cserhalmi Alcindoro Ferenc Cserhalmi Mandarin Sándor Egri, András Kiss The Imperial Commissioner Sándor Egri Parpignol László Beöthy-Kiss

Conductor Domonkos Héja, Ádám Medveczky Conductor N.N. Conductor János Kovács

Librettist Giuseppe Adami, Roberto Simoni Librettists Luigi Illica, Giuseppe Giacosa Librettist Luigi Illica, Giuseppe Giacosa Director Balázs Kovalik Director Miklós Gábor Kerényi Director Damiano Michieletto Set designer Éva Szendrényi Set designer Kentaur Assistant to the director Eleonora Gravagnola Costume designer Márta Jánoskuti Costume designer Ilona Vágvölgyi Set designer Paolo Fantin Assistant to the set designer Carlo Beraldo Costume designer Carla Teti Assistant to the costume designer Agnese Bertani

Information on our traditional production of La bohème can be found on page 44.

26, 29 May 2019 OPERA HOUSE

14 (Győr), 16 (Tata) September 2018, 12 (Szeged), 14 (Miskolc), 21 (Pécs) October 2018, 16 (Debrecen), 18 (Szolnok), 23 (Székesfehérvár), 25 (Szombathely) November 2018 – concert performances 31 May and 2 June 2019 6, 8 June 2019 OPERA FROM THE OPERA HOUSE! OPERA HOUSE OPERA HOUSE

60 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 61 Umberto Giordano Umberto Giordano Giuseppe Verdi

16 ANDREA CHÉNIER UN BALLO (1896, Milan) 14 14 FEDORA IN MASCHERA (1898, Milan) A Masked Ball (1859, Rome)

Opera in four scenes, two parts, in Italian, Opera in three acts, in Italian, Opera in three acts, in Italian, with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles with Hungarian and English surtitles

Andrea Chénier, a poet N.N. Princess Fedora Romazoff Dunai Éva Gustavo III, King of Sweden Attila Fekete, Mykhailo Malafii Carlo Gérard Alexandru Agache Countess Olga Sukarev Edina Kersák Count Renato Anckarström Levente Molnár, Mihály Kálmándy Maddalena de Coigny Eszter Sümegi Count Loris Ipanoff Illés Rácz Amelia, Renato’s wife Szilvia Rálik, Adrienn Miksch The Countess of Coigny Mária Farkasréti De Siriex, a diplomat János Fátrai Ulrica Andrea Ulbrich, Bernadett Wiedemann Bersi, a mulatto girl Viktória Mester Dimitri, a groom Orsolya Uitz Oscar Zita Szemere, Helga Nánási Madelon Éva Balatoni Desiré / Michel Ferenc Herczeg Count Horn Krisztián Cser Roucher, Chénier’s friend Antal Cseh Cirillo, a coachman Álmos Gyarmati Count Ribbing István Kovács Pierre Fléville, a novelist Lajos Geiger Boroff Károly Fekete Christiano Máté Fülep Fouquier-Tinville, public prosecutor László Szvétek Gretch, a police commissioner György Gogolyák Conductor N.N. Mathieu, a sans-culotte Tamás Busa Lorek, a surgeon Dávid Tarnai Libretto by Antonio Somma based on the five-act libretto by Eugene Scribe The Abbé, a poet János Szerekován Sergei Balázs Somogyi Director Fabio Ceresa A spy Gergely Ujvári Baron Rouvel / Nikolai Gergely Irlanda Set designer Tiziano Santi Dumas, President of the Revolutionary Tribunal N.N. Costume designer Giuseppe Palella Schmidt, a guard at the Saint-Lazare prison Tamás Szüle Conductor Dániel Erdélyi Dramaturge Eszter Orbán Master of the Household Géza Zsigmond Libretto by Arturo Colautti based Conductor Balázs Kocsár on the play Fédora by Victorien Sardou Director Nina Dudek Librettist Luigi Illica Set designer Nóra Árva Director György Selmeczi Costume designer Mónika Szelei Set designer Edit Zeke Musical director Katalin Szirtes Costume designer Rita Velich Choreographer András Nádasdy

7, 9 June 2019 7, 9 June 2019 14, 15, 16, 23, 29, 30 June 2019 OPERA HOUSE EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE OPERA HOUSE

62 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 63 Gioachino Rossini Richard Strauss

IL BARBIERE ARIADNE 10 16 DI SIVIGLIA AUF NAXOS The Barber of Seville (1816, Roma) Ariadne on Naxos (1912, Stuttgart)

Comic opera in two acts, in Italian, with Hungarian surtitles Opera in one act with prologue, in German, with English surtitles Count Almaviva István Horváth Bartolo Péter Kálmán The Major-Domo Franz Tscherne Rosina Gabriella Balga The Music Master Zoltán Kelemen Figaro Csaba Szegedi The Composer Gabriella Balga Basilio András Palerdi The Tenor / Bacchus István Kovácsházi Berta Éva Balatoni The Dancing Master Zoltán Megyesi Fiorello Lajos Geiger The Wigmaker Máté Fülep A Lackey Tamás Szüle Conductor Balázs Kocsár Zerbinetta Rita Rácz The Prima Donna, Ariadne Tünde Szabóki Librettist Cesare Sterbini Harlequin Csaba Szegedi Director András Békés Scaramuccio Boldizsár László Staged by Balázs Kovalik Truffaldin Krisztián Cser Set designer László Székely Brighella István Horváth Costume designer Marianne Wieber Naiad Zita Váradi Dryad Atala Schöck Echo Eszter Zavaros

Conductor Balázs Kocsár

Librettist Hugo von Hofmannstahl Director Ferenc Anger Set and costume designer Gergely Zöldy Z Choreographer Marianna Venekei

21, 23 June 2019, Rain dates: 24, 25 June 6 July 2019 MARGARET ISLAND OPEN-AIR STAGE BERLIN – DEUTSCHE OPER

64 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 65 Richard Strauss Giuseppe Verdi Richard Strauss

14 18 DIE FRAU OHNE RIGOLETTO SALOME SCHATTEN 18 (1851, Venice) (1905, Dresden) The Woman Without a Shadow (1919, Vienna)

Opera in three acts, in German, with English surtitles Opera in three acts, in Italian, Musical drama in one act, in German with Hungarian and English surtitles The Emperor István Kovácsházi Herod Gerhard Siegel The Empress Eszter Sümegi Duke of Mantua István Horváth Herodias Ildikó Komlósi The Nurse Ildikó Komlósi Rigoletto Mihály Kálmándy, Anatoliy Fokanov Salome Andrea Rost The Messenger of Keikobad Zsolt Haja Gilda Erika Miklósa, Zita Szemere Jokanaan Károly Szemerédy The Guardian of the Threshold Ingrid Kertesi Sparafucile István Rácz, Géza Gábor Narraboth Péter Balczó The Apparition of a Youth Péter Balczó Maddalena Andrea Szántó, Viktória Mester Page Ágnes Anna Kun The Voice of the Falcon Erika Markovics Count Monterone Sándor Egri, András Kiss First Jew István Horváth A Voice from Above Atala Schöck Marullo András Káldi Kiss Second Jew Péter Kiss Barak, the Dyer Heiko Trinsinger Borsa Péter Kiss Third Jew Zoltán Megyesi Barak’s Wife Szilvia Rálik Count Ceprano Tamás Szüle Fourth Jew Gergely Boncsér The One-eyed Man, Barak’s brother Lajos Geiger Countess Ceprano Krisztina Simon, Ágnes Molnár Fifth Jew Marcell Bakonyi The One-armed Man, Barak’s brother Ferenc Cserhalmi Giovanna Kornélia Bakos, Éva Balatoni First Nazarene Attila Dobák The Hunchback, Barak’s brother István Horváth Page Eszter Zavaros Second Nazarene Tamás Kóbor Voices of Six Unborn Children Ildikó Szakács, Ingrid Kertesi, Court Usher István Kristóf First Soldier Sándor Egri Bori Keszei, Erika Markovics, Gabriella Balga, Atala Schöck Second Soldier Ferenc Cserhalmi The Town Watchmen Zsolt Haja, Ferenc Cserhalmi, Lajos Geiger Conductor N.N. A Cappadocian András Kőrösi Three Servant Girls Ildikó Szakács, Bori Keszei, Gabriella Balga Slave Gábor Csiki Librettist Francesco Maria Piave Conductor Péter Halász Directors Miklós Szinetár, Mária Harangi Conductor Balázs Kocsár Set designer Attila Csikós Librettist Hugo von Hofmannsthal Costume designer Rita Velich Libretto by Hedwig Lachmann based on the drama Director János Szikora Choreographer Jenő Lőcsei of the same title by Oscar Wilde Set designer Balázs Horesnyi Director János Szikora Costume designer Kati Zoób Set designer Attila Csikós Dramaturge János Matuz Costume designer Judit Schäffer Choreographer Lilla Pártay

7 July 2019 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 July 2019 Late of August 2019 BERLIN – DEUTSCHE OPER OPERA HOUSE JORDAN – MACHAERUS

66 REPERTOIRE OPERA REPERTOIRE OPERA 67 REPERTOIRE BALLET

68 REPERTOIRE BALLET REPERTOIRE BALLET 69 Pál Frenák / Béla Bartók László Seregi / Béla Bartók

THE MIRACULOUS 18 THE WOODEN PRINCE 18 MANDARIN A fából faragott királyfi (1917, Budapest, Hungarian Royal Opera) A csodálatos mandarin (1926, Cologne)

Dance presentation in one act Dance presentation in one act

Choreographer Pál Frenák Choreographer László Seregi Composer Béla Bartók Composer Béla Bartók Librettist Béla Balázs Librettist Menyhért Lengyel Set designers Paradigma Ariadné Set designer Gábor Forray Costume designer Boglárka Zalai-Ruzsics, Pál Frenák Costume designer László Seregi Dramaturge Márta Péter Choreographer’s assistant Ildikó Kaszás Choreographer’s assistant Nelson Reguera Ballet master Ildikó Pongor Ballet masters Edit Rujsz, Zoltán Feicht Conductor János Kovács Conductor János Kovács The Mandarin Levente Bajári The Princess Viktória Rohonczi The Girl Aleszja Popova The Prince Dmitry Timofeev, Kristóf Morvai The Young Man Maksym Kovtun Wooden puppet Ricardo Vila M. The Old Rake András Hajdu Three Tramps József Medvecz, András Szegő, Attila Szakács Featuring Compagnie Pal Frenak

This production can be viewed together with The Miraculous Mandarin and This production can be viewed together with The Wooden Prince Dance Suite as part of the Bartók DanceTriptych programme. and Dance Suite as part of the Bartók DanceTriptych programme.

7 June 2018 7 June 2018 BRATISLAVA – THE NEW BUILDING OF THE NATIONAL THEATRE BRATISLAVA – THE NEW BUILDING OF THE NATIONAL THEATRE

70 REPERTOIRE BALLET REPERTOIRE BALLET 71 Zsolt Juhász / Béla Bartók Hans van Manen / Erik Satie Hans van Manen / Astor Piazzolla

18 16 16 DANCE SUITE TROIS GNOSSIENNES 5 TANGOS Táncszvit (1923, Budapest, Hungarian Royal Opera) (1982, Amsterdam) (1977, Amsterdam)

Dance presentation in one act Ballet in one act Ballet in one act

Choreographer Zsolt Juhász Choreographer Hans van Manen Choreographer Hans van Manen Composer Béla Bartók Composer Erik Satie Composer Astor Piazzolla Set designer Erzsébet Túri Set designer Hans van Manen Lighting designer Jan Hofstra Costume designer Rita Furik Costume designers Joop Stokvis, Hans van Manen Coaching ballet master Rachel Beaujean Lighting designer Károly Lendvay Lighting designer Jan Hofstra Ballet masters Edit Rujsz, György Szirb Choreographer’s assistant Katalin Bonifert Coaching ballet masters Mária Aradi, Tamás Solymosi Pas de deux Karina Sarkissova, Gergely Leblanc, Kim Minjung, Ballet master Edit Rujsz Rehearsal supervisor Igone de Jongh Gergő Ármin Balázsi Ballet masters Mária Aradi, Tamás Solymosi Conductor János Kovács Performers Aliya Tanykpayeva, Lili Felméry, Tatiana Melnik, Cristina Balaban, Iurii Kekalo, Mikalai Radziush, Igor Tsvirko This production can be viewed together with Trois Gnossiennes, Troy Game, Male soloist Levente Bajári and Falling Angels on the GIF (Girls in Focus) dance evening (Müpa Budapest Female soloist Artemisz Bakó-Pisla and Eiffel Art Studios), with Trois Gnossiennes and Black Cake at the LOL ballet This production can be viewed together with Troy Game, Falling Angels, and evening (Brno and New York), and with Trois Gnossiennes and Black Cake, plus Featuring the Duna Art Ensemble 5 Tangos on the GIF (Girls in Focus) dance evening (Müpa Budapest and Eiffel classical pas des deux dances, on the “Opera from the Opera House!” tour. Art Studios), with 5 Tangos and Black Cake at the LOL ballet evening (Brno and This production can be viewed together with The Wooden Prince New York), and with 5 Tangos and Black Cake, plus classical pas des deux and The Miraculous Mandarin as part of the Bartók DanceTriptych programme. dances, on the “Opera from the Opera House!” tour.

16 June 2018 16 June 2018 BRNO BRNO

7 (Salgótarján), 9 (Békéscsaba), 23 (Kecskemét), 7 (Salgótarján), 9 (Békéscsaba), 23 (Kecskemét), 30 (Tatabánya) September 2018, 1 (Eger), 7 (Nyíregyháza), 30 (Tatabánya) September 2018, (Eger), 7 (Nyíregyháza), 19 (Tatabánya), 20 (Szekszárd) October 2018, 19 (Tatabánya), 20 (Szekszárd) October 2018, 17 (Zalaegerszeg), 18 (Veszprém), 24 (Kaposvár) November 2018 17 (Zalaegerszeg), 18 (Veszprém), 24 (Kaposvár) November 2018 OPERA FROM THE OPERA HOUSE! OPERA FROM THE OPERA HOUSE!

12, 13, 14, 15 September 2018 12, 13, 14, 15 September 2018 MÜPA BUDAPEST – FESTIVAL THEATRE MÜPA BUDAPEST – FESTIVAL THEATRE

11 November 2018 11 November 2018 NEW YORK NEW YORK

17 June 2018 5, 6, 7, 13 April 2019 5, 6, 7, 13 April 2019 BRATISLAVA – NEW BUILDING OF THE NATIONAL THEATRE EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE

72 REPERTOIRE BALLET REPERTOIRE BALLET 73 Hans van Manen / Jules Massenet Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Pietro Mascagni / / Leoš Janaček BILLY ELLIOT 16 14 BLACK CAKE – THE MUSICAL (1989, Amsterdam) (2005, London)

Ballet in one act The child soloists featured in the Hungarian State Opera’s production have been trained and prepared in partnership with the Madách Musical Dance Choreographer Hans van Manen School. This production of Billy Elliot – The Musical has been developed with Composers Jules Massenet / Pietro Mascagni / Igor Stravinsky / special permission from Music Theatre International [MTI, 421 West 54th Street, Leoš Janáček / Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky New York, New York 10019 – tel.: (1) 212 541 4684, www.mtishows.com], using Set and costume designer Keso Dekker material it has made available. Lighting designer Joop Caboort Coaching ballet master Mea Venema Musical in Hungarian, with English surtitles Ballet master Marianna Venekei Composer Sir Elton John Female solo pas de deux 1 Cristina Balaban, Lili Felméry Librettist and lyricist Lee Hall Male solo pas de deux 1 Balázs Majoros, Gergő Ármin Balázsi Director Tamás Szirtes Female solo pas de deux 2 Karina Sarkissova, Aliya Tanykpayeva Hungarian translation Ferenc Bárány, István Puller Male solo pas de deux 2 Ievgen Lagunov, Dmitry Timofeev Choreographer Ákos Tihanyi Female solo pas de deux 3 Jessica Carulla Leon, Lea Földi Set designer István Szlávik Male solo pas de deux 3 András József Rónai, Iurii Kekalo Lighting designer János “Madár” Madarász Scenic artist János Szűcsborus This production can be viewed together with Trois Gnossiennes and 5 Tangos Costume designer Yvette Alida Kovács at the LOL ballet evening in Brno and New York, and with Trois Gnossiennes Choreographer’s assistant Ferenc Molnár and 5 Tangos, plus classical pas des deux dances, on the “Opera from the Opera Assistant to the director Eugénia Vaszilenko House!” tour. Songs rehearsed by Zsuzsanna Fehér, Brigitta Kovács, Mária Toldy

Conductors Géza Köteles, István Silló

16 June 2018 BRNO

7 (Salgótarján), 9 (Békéscsaba), 23 (Kecskemét), 30 (Tatabánya) September 2018, 1 (Eger), 7 (Nyíregyháza), 19 (Tatabánya), 20 (Szekszárd) October 2018, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 September 2018 17 (Zalaegerszeg), 18 (Veszprém), 24 (Kaposvár) November 2018 14, 15, 16, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 June 2019 OPERA FROM THE OPERA HOUSE! ERKEL THEATRE

11 November 2018 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 July 2019 NEW YORK OPERA HOUSE

74 REPERTOIRE BALLET REPERTOIRE BALLET 75 Ronald Hynd / Ferenc Lehár

THE MERRY WIDOW 16 (1975, Victoria, )

Comic ballet in three acts

Choreographer Ronald Hynd Composer Ferenc Lehár Music revised by John Lanchberry, Allen Abbot Libretto revised by Robert Hynd based on concept by Sir Robert Helpmann Set and costume designer Peter Docherty Lighting designer Kirk Bookman Ballet masters Edit Rujsz, György Szirb, Tamás Solymosi, Marianna Venekei

Conductor Kálmán Szennai

(The cast will be announced after publication.)

11 September 2018

ZAGREB – CROATIAN NATIONAL THEATRE

76 REPERTOIRE BALLET REPERTOIRE BALLET 77 Robert North / Bob Downes Jiří Kylián / Steve Reich

TROY GAME 12 12 WITH AMAZONS FALLING ANGELS Troy Game (1974, Liverpool) (1989, The Hague)

Parody ballet in one act – female version Ballet in one act

Choreographer Robert North Choreographer Jiři Kylián Composer Bob Downes Composer Steve Reich Costume designer Peter Farmer Set designer Jiři Kylián Staging ballet master Julian Moss Costume designer Joke Visser Ballet master Angéla Kövessy Lighting designers Jiři Kylián, Joop Caboort Technical adaptation Kees Tjebbes Performers Kristina Starostina, Artemisz Bakó-Pisla, Coaching and staging ballet master Roslyn Anderson Jessica Carulla Leon, Lili Felméry, Kateryna Tarasova, Ballet masters Edit Rujsz, György Szirb Cristina Balaban, Ildikó Boros, Miyu Takamori, Angela Mingardo, Aleszja Popova, Karina Sarkissova, Performers Kristina Starostina, Jessica Carulla Leon, Ildikó Boros, Ágnes Kelemen, Diana Kosyreva, Anna Krupp, Lea Földi, Lea Földi, Angela Mingardo, Yuka Asai, Ágnes Kelemen, Futaba Ishizaki Rita Hangya, Nika Crnić, Karina Sarkissova, Miyu Takamori, Cristina Balaban, Emi Uehara, Anri Okada, Anna Krupp, Lilla Purszki This production can be viewed together with Trois Gnossiennes, Falling Angels and 5 Tangos on the GIF (Girls in Focus) dance evening. This production can be viewed together with Trois Gnossiennes and 5 Tangos on the GIF (Girls in Focus) dance evening.

12, 13, 14, 15 September 2018 12, 13, 14, 15 September 2018 MÜPA BUDAPEST – FESTIVAL THEATRE MÜPA BUDAPEST-FESTIVAL THEATRE 5, 6, 7, 13 April 2019 5, 6, 7, 13 April 2019 EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE

78 REPERTOIRE BALLET REPERTOIRE BALLET 79 Johan Inger / Arvo Part / Maurice Ravel Rudi van Dantzig / Toer van Schayk Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

12 12 WALKING MAD SWAN LAKE (2001, The Hague) Лебединое озеро (1877, Moscow) CAFe Budapest

Ballet in one act Classical ballet in three acts

Choreographer Johan Inger Choreography after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov Rudi van Dantzig Composers Arvo Pärt, Maurice Ravel Choreography of character dances Toer van Schayk Set and costume designer Johan Inger Composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Lighting designer Erik Berglund Set and costume designer Toer van Schayk Coaching ballet master Carl Inger Lighting designer Jan Hofstra Coaching and staging ballet master Yvan Dubreuil Coaching ballet master Eleonora Demichelis, Toer van Schayk, Ballet masters Angéla Kövessy, György Szirb Caroline Iura Ballet masters Mária Aradi, Angéla Kövessy, Csaba Sebestyén, Boy 1 Carlos Taravillo, Dmitry Timofeev György Szirb, Marianna Venekei Boy 2 D’Amico Pierpaolo, Balázs Krajczár Students of the Hungarian National Ballet Institute Boy 3 Dávid Miklós Kerényi, Ricardo Vila trained by Evelyn Janács and Kornélia Mráz Boy 4 Gergely Leblanc, Boris Mysnikov Boy 5 András József Rónai, Iurii Kekalo Conductor Balázs Kocsár Boy 6 Dénes Darab, Balázs Majoros Girl 1 Anna Krupp, Ágnes Kelemen Odette/Odile Tatiana Melnik, Kim Minjung, Aliya Tanykpayeva Girl 2 Lea Földi, Jessica Carulla Leon Siegfried Gergely Leblanc, Gergő Ármin Balázsi Girl 3 Karina Sarkissova, Cristina Balaban Rothbart Mikalai Radziush, Iurii Kekalo Alexander Dmitry Diachkov, András József Rónai This production can be viewed together with The Vertiginous Thrill of Pas de trois girls Lili Felméry, Diana Kosyreva, Yuliya Golovyna, Exactitude and Bedroom Folk at the Triple Dance evening. Cristina Balaban

12, 13, 14 October 2018 6, 7, 8 November 2018 MÜPA BUDAPEST-FESTIVAL THEATRE NEW YORK

80 REPERTOIRE BALLET REPERTOIRE BALLET 81 Marius Petipa / Alexander Gorsky / Kasyan Wayne Eagling / Tamás Solymosi Goleizovsky / Michael Messerer / Ludwig Minkus Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

12 6 DON QUIXOTE THE NUTCRACKER (1869, Moscow) Щелкунчик (1892, St Petersburg)

Ballet in three acts Fairy-tale ballet in two acts

Based on the novel of the same title by Miguel de Cervantes Choreographers Wayne Eagling, Tamás Solymosi Librettist Marius Petipa Composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Choreographer Michael Messerer, Kasyan Goleizovsky, Set designer Gusztáv Oláh Marius Petipa, Alexander Gorsky Costume designer Nóra Rományi Composer Ludwig Minkus Ballet masters Mária Aradi, Imre Dózsa, Angéla Kövessy, Set designer István Rózsa Ildikó Pongor, Tamás Solymosi, György Szirb, Marianna Venekei Costume designer Nóra Rományi Students of the Hungarian National Ballet Institute trained Lighting designer Kirk Bookman by Evelyn Janács Coaching ballet master Ksenia Oyvental, Anna Razenko, Evgeny Popov, Olga Sabadosh Conductors N.N., András Déri Ballet masters Imre Dózsa, Angéla Kövessy, Ildikó Pongor, Marianna Venekei Prince Gergely Leblanc, Gergő Ármin Balázsi, Zoltán Oláh, Students of the Hungarian National Ballet Mikalai Radziush, Ivegne Lagunov, Dmitry Timofeev, Igor Tsvirko Institute trained by Evelyn Janács and Kornélia Mráz Princess Marie Aliya Tanykpayeva, Kim Minjung, Cristina Balaban, Karina Sarkissova, Lili Felméry, Diana Kosyreva, Tatiana Melnik Conductor Gergely Kesselyák Drosselmeyer Alexander Komarov, Gábor Szigeti, Levente Bajári, Maksym Kovtun, Attila Szakács Don Quixote Attila Szakács Mouse King József Medvecz, Iurii Kekalo, Vladislav Melnyk, Sancho Panza Maksym Kovtun Mikalai Radziush, Attila Szakács Kitri Diana Kosyreva, Tatiana Melnik Basil Igor Tsvirko, Gergely Leblanc Espada Mikalai Radziush, Iurii Kekalo Mercedes Jessica Carulla Leon, Lea Földi Street dancer Karina Sarkissova, Kristina Starostina Friends of Kitri Lili Felméry, Rita Hangya, Yuliya Golovyna, Yuka Asai Amor Yourim Lee, Miyu Takamori Queen of the Dryads Kristina Starosina, Kim Minjung

14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 9, 10 November 2018 29, 30, 31 December 2018 NEW YORK ERKEL THEATRE

82 REPERTOIRE BALLET REPERTOIRE BALLET 83 Leonid Lavrovsky / Adolphe Adam Rostislav Zakharov / Boris Vladimirovich Asafyev

THE FOUNTAIN 12 GISELLE OF BAKHCHISARAI 12 (1841, Paris) Бахчисарайский фонтан (1934, Leningrad)

Ballet in two acts Ballet in three acts

Choreography revised by Leonid Lavrovsky Choreographer Rostislav Zakharov based on choreography by Jules Perrot, Jean Coralli and Marius Petipa Composer Boris Asafyev Composer Adolphe Adam Libretto by Rostislav Zakharov after the work of the same title by Pushkin Librettist Théophile Gautier Set design reconstructed by Szilárd Kerekes based on plans by Zoltán Fülöp Staged by Mikhail Lavrovsky Costume designer Tivadar Márk Set designer Attila Csikós Staging ballet master Daria Pavlenko Costume designer Nelly Vágó Ballet masters Imre Dózsa, Ildikó Pongor, Edit Rujsz, Csaba Sebestyén Ballet masters Mária Aradi, Imre Dózsa, Angéla Kövessy, Ildikó Pongor, György Szirb, Marianna Venekei Conductor Yannis Pouspourikas

Conductor Zsolt Jankó Maria Tatiana Melnik, Lili Felméry, Ellina Pokhodnykh Vaslav, Maria’s fiancé Gergely Leblanc, Gergő Ármin Balázsi, Igor Tsvirko Giselle Aliya Tanykpayeva, Tatiana Melnik, Giray Khan Iurii Kekalo, Mikalai Radziush, Zoltán Oláh Diana Kosyreva, Cristina Balaban Nurali, Tatar chief András József Rónai, Dávid Miklós Kerényi, Albert Gergely Leblanc, Igor Tsvirko, Gergő Ármin Balázsi, Ryosuke Morimoto Dmitry Timofeev Zarema, the Khan’s first wife Aliya Tanykpayeva, Karina Sarkissova, Hilarion Balázs Majoros, Mikalai Radziush, Iurii Kekalo, Vladislav Melnyk Lea Földi Female peasant pas de deux Cristina Balaban, Lili Felméry, Yourim Lee, Artemisz Bakó-Pisla Male peasant peasant pas de deux András József Rónai, Dávid Miklós Kerényi, Ryosuke Morimoto, Ievgen Lagunov Myrtha Kristina Starostina, Lea Földi, Karina Sarkissova, Kim Minjung

18, 19, 20, 24, 26, 27 January 2019 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 27 February 2019 20 May 2019 (selections) ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE

84 REPERTOIRE BALLET REPERTOIRE BALLET 85 George Balanchine / Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Harald Lander / Carl Czerny / Knudage Riisager

THEME AND 12 12 VARIATIONS ÉTUDES (1947, New York) Etudes (1948, Copenhagen)

© Choregraphed by George Balanchine Classical ballet in one act

Ballet in one act Choreographer Harald Lander Works of Carl Czerny orchestrated by Knudage Riisager Choreographer George Balanchine Artistic consultant Lise Lander Composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Coaching ballet master Johnny Eliasen Set designer István Rózsa Ballet masters Angéla Kövessy, Ildikó Pongor, György Szirb Costume designer Nóra Rományi Lighting designer Tamás Solymosi Conductor Imre Kollár Coaching ballet master John Clifford Ballet masters Mária Aradi, Marianna Venekei Ballerina Tatiana Melnik, Karina Sarkissova, Cristina Balaban Male solo 1 Gergő Ármin Balázsi, Ievgen Lagunov, András József Rónai Conductor Imre Kollár Male solo 2 Gergely Leblanc, Zoltán Oláh, Dmitry Timofeev

Main female soloist Aliya Tanykpayeva, Lea Földi, Kim Minjung The piece can be viewed together with choreographies of Main male soloist Gergely Leblanc, Zoltán Oláh, Gergő Ármin Balázsi George Balanchine’s Themes and Variations and Sylvia Pas de Deux on the OMG dance evening. The piece can be viewed together with a choreography of Harald Lander’s Études and George Balanchine’s Sylvia Pas de Deux on the OMG dance evening.

22, 23, 24, 27, 28 March 2019 22, 23, 24, 27, 28 March 2019 ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE

86 REPERTOIRE BALLET REPERTOIRE BALLET 87 Marianna Venekei / Tennessee Williams / László Dés Lászlo Seregi / Léo Delibes

A STREETCAR 18 12 NAMED DESIRE SYLVIA (2017, Budapest, Erkel Theatre) (1972, Budapest, Hungarian State Opera)

Presented by special arrangement with The University of the South, Sewanee, Comic ballet in two acts Tennessee. Copyright 1947, 1953 renewed 1975, 1981 The University of South. Choreographer László Seregi Dance-drama in two acts Composer Léo Delibes Music revised by Tamás Pál Choreographer Marianna Venekei Choreographer’s assistant Ildikó Kaszás Original drama by Tennessee Williams Set designer Gábor Forray Composer László Dés Costume designer Tivadar Márk Arranged by László Dés, Péter Erdélyi Ballet masters Ildikó Kaszás, Angéla Kövessy, Ildikó Pongor, György Szirb Musical director Péter Erdélyi Libretto by László Dés and Marianna Venekei after Conductor András Déri the play of the same name by Tennessee Williams Set designer Gergely Zöldy Z Sylvia Tatiana Melnik, Cristina Balaban, Lili Felméry Costume designer Imelda Jeremias Bianca Amyntas Gergő Ármin Balázsi, Dmitry Timofeev, Ievgen Lagunov Lighting designer Balázs Csontos Diana Karina Sarkissova, Diana Kosyreva, Jessica Carulla Leon Choreographer’s assistant Ágnes Sárközy Holler Orion Gergely Leblanc, Igor Tsvirko, Vladislav Melnyk Ballet masters Ágnes Sárközy Holler, Marianna Venekei Featuring students of the Hungarian National Ballet Institute

Blanche Jessica Carulla Leon, Cristina Balaban, Lea Földi Stanley Balázs Majoros, András József Rónai, Iurii Kekalo Stella Lea Földi, Kateryna Tarasova, Anna Krupp Mitch Levente Bajári, Maksym Kovtun, József Medvecz

3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 May 2019 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 May 2019 EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE ERKEL THEATRE

88 REPERTOIRE BALLET REPERTOIRE BALLET 89 Sir Kenneth MacMillan / Jules Massenet Gyula Harangozó Jr. / Tibor Kocsák Martin Yates SNOW WHITE 16 6 MANON AND THE 7 DWARFS (1974, London) (2004, Budapest, Erkel Theatre)

Ballet in three acts Fairy-tale dance in two acts

Choreographer Sir Kenneth MacMillan Choreographer Gyula Harangozó Jr. Composer Jules Massenet Composer Tibor Kocsák Music arranged and revised by Martin Yates Orchestrated by Rudolf Bíró, Gábor Kemény Set and costume designer Nicholas Georgiadis Libretto based on by Gyula Harangozó Jr., Lighting designer John B. Read the fairytale by the Brothers Grimm Taught from the Benesh notation and staged by Gary Harris Set designer Kentaur Staged by Maina Gielgud Costume designer Rita Velich Set supervisor Andrew Jameson Ballet masters Gyula Harangozó Jr., Angéla Kövessy Costume supervisor Michael Brown Ballet masters Angéla Kövessy, Maina Gielgud, György Szirb Conductor Máté Hámori, István Silló Students of the Hungarian National Ballet Institute trained by Evelyn Janács Snow White Tatiana Melnik, Lili Felméry, Ildikó Boros, Ellina Pokhodnykh Conductor Gergely Kesselyák Queen Karina Sarkissova, Aliya Tanykpayeva, Jessica Carulla Leon, Aleszja Popova Manon Aliya Tanykpayeva, Tatiana Melnik Huntsman Mikalai Radziush, Ievgen Lagunov, Zoltán Oláh, Igor Tsvirko Des Grieux Dmitry Timofeev, Gergely Leblanc Prince Gergely Leblanc, Gergő Ármin Balázsi, Dmitry Timofeev, Lescaut Balázs Majoros, Iurii Kekalo German Borsai Lescaut’s lover Karina Sarkissova, Kristina Starostina Witch Iurii Kekalo, Vladislav Melnyk, József Medvecz, Levente Bajári Monsieur G. M. Alekszandr Komarov, Levente Bajári Dopey András József Rónai, Balázs Majoros, Dávid Miklós Kerényi, Carlos Taravillo

22, 24 May 2019 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 June 2019 OPERA HOUSE ERKEL THEATRE

90 REPERTOIRE BALLET REPERTOIRE BALLET 91 CONCERTS

92 CALENDAR 18-19 CONCERTS CALENDAR 18-19 CONCERTS 93 THE HISTORY OF THE OPERA ORCHESTRA The First Hungarian Orchestra

Any way you look at it, the story begins with Ferenc Erkel. his opera-playing orchestra had begun giving concerts in He is the alpha and point of origin of institutionalised the National Museum in 1853, it was only in 1867, after opera performance in Hungary – and to fulfil this task the compromise between Austria and Hungary had been requires a large and permanent orchestra. The young reached, that the Philharmonic Society was allowed to pianist/conductor/composer was only 25 years old in 1835 officially register itself as an entity. During its history of 164 when he signed a contract with the Hungarian Theatrical years, the Society, which was established on the model of its Society in Buda, which operated in the former Carmelite counterpart in Vienna, has been presided over by only ten monastery in . Erkel would get to conduct president conductors: Ferenc Erkel (1853-1871), Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia – a work with recurring Sándor Erkel (1875-1900) István Kerner (1900-1918), significance in this story. Owing to the theatre’s swift Ernő Dohnányi (1918-1960), János Ferencsik (1960- bankruptcy, he would spend a year as the music director at 1967), András Kórodi (1967-1986), Erich Bergel the German Theatre of Pest, which had been flourishing (1989-1994), Rico Saccani (1997-2005), György for 25 years and had a huge auditorium with a capacity of Győriványi Ráth (2011-2014), and, from February 2014 3,200. His nationalistic feelings, however, prevented him to 2017, Pinchas Steinberg. The orchestra can boast from remaining there, even though they performed bel the world premieres of more than a hundred works, canto operas (like Rossini’s Barber): as soon as the Hun- including such curiosities as the original 1889 premiere of garian Theatre of Pest opened and his contract expired, Mahler’s Symphony No. 1. In the spirit of its constitution, he signed with them. As early as 1838, he was organising the Philharmonic Society pays special attention to new the first Hungarian orchestra, the ensemble that played Hungarian musical pieces: Ferenc Erkel, Ferenc Liszt, the operas, and, of course, a chorus too, because from this Károly Goldmark, Ernő Dohnányi, Béla Bartók, point on and for the next 70 years, everything would be Zoltán Kodály, Leo Weiner, Pál Kadosa and Sándor sung in Hungarian to compensate for the long Szokolay dedicated or composed several works for the German decades. Today it is impossible to imagine that orchestra; and renowned foreign composers – including Erkel spent 46-and-a-half years in this position and con- Brahms, Dvořák, Mahler, Mascagni, Prokofiev, ducted operas on 5,000 nights. The only reason these Ravel, Respighi, Richard Strauss and Stravinsky performances did not all happen in this building was the – often conducted their works with the Budapest fact that in 1840 the institution was renamed the National Philharmonic. Besides the president-conductors, several Theatre by resolution of the Hungarian Parliament – in outstanding conductors have played an important part in the same year when Erkel’s first opera, Bátori Mária, was the life of the orchestra, including János Richter, Artur premiered. And it can be no surprise that – since the Nikisch, Sergio Failoni and Otto Klemperer, and it opera to inaugurate the building that once stood near would be almost impossible to list all the famous conductors, today’s Astoria had been Il barbiere di Siviglia – the orchestra, instrumental and vocal soloists who have appeared at the chorus, dancers and soloists would choose the same work to concerts of the orchestra with the longest history in Hungary. say goodbye to the building before moving to the new one on For more than a century, the Opera’s orchestra, while also what is now Andrássy Avenue in the early summer of 1884… functioning as a symphonic concert ensemble, operated as the only professional philharmonic orchestra in Hungary. In the meantime, many important events took place. Today, it is one of around 20 orchestras , but still the biggest After quashing the Hungarian War of Independence, the with the most performances, and capable of not just playing oppressive Austrian regime did not recognise any freedom its speciality of opera and ballet music, as well as lighting up of association. This meant that even though Erkel and any symphonic or oratorio concert.

94 CALENDAR 18-19 CONCERTS CALENDAR 18-19 CONCERTS 95 OPERAS – CONCERT FORMAT OPERA EXCERPTS AND GALAS ORCHESTRAL ORCHESTRAL Erkel Bánk Bán (Pál) V4 Opera Galas (Kovács, Valentovich) CONCERTS CONCERTS 16 June 2018 (Sat), Budapest 8–13 April 2018 (Sun-Fri), Bratislava, Warsaw, Prague Chamber Music Concerts – 2018/19 Symphonic Orchestral Concerts – 2018/19 Erkel Bánk Bán (Kocsár) Barefoot on the Meadow (Héja) 1 September 2018 (Sat),Beregszász (Berehove) 9 June 2018 (Sat), Budapest Puccini Turandot (Medveczky, Héja) The Best of The Ring (Kocsár) 14 September 2018 (Fri) – 25 November (Sun), 9 cities 11–13 June 2018 (Mon-Wed), Budapest, Pécs IN SEARCH OF THE NEW WORLD I – La fanciulla del West Between the summers of 2018 and 2019, the Hungar- Puccini Tosca (Halász) Opera Gala (Kocsár) ian State Opera Orchestra will take the stage to perform 30 November 2018 (Fri) – 28 January 2019 (Mon), 9 cities 13 July 2018 (Fri), Veszprém Korngold Suite, op. 23 independent symphony music on nearly 100 different Leoncavallo La bohéme (Carminati) Schrott Aria Concert (Ciampa) Korngold Waltz No. 2 occasions, as well as playing in the orchestra pit for 17 December 2018 (Mon), Budapest 15 July 2018 (Sun), Budapest Korngold Song No. 4 around 300 opera and ballet performances. There will Wagner The Flying Dutchman (Kesselyák) Centenary Gala Concert (Kocsár, Kesselyák) Prokofiev Flute Sonata in D major, op. 94 – 2nd and 3rd movements be 95 concerts in total across 40 different events: 9 January 2019 (Sat), Budapest 28 July 2018 (Sat), Saaremaa Dvořák Serenade for Strings in E major, op. 22 Verdi (Kocsár) Netrebko & Eyvazov (Mazza) 10 January 2019 (Thu), Budapest 5–9 September 2018 (Wed-Sun), Zürich, Köln 1 December 2018 (Sat), 4 pm, Erkel Theatre SYMPHONIC CONCERTS Goldmark Die Königin von Saba (Kovács) Verista Opera Gala (Veronesi) 13 January 2019 (Sun), Budapest 7 September 2018 (Fri), Pécs Hungarian Orchestral Concert (Medveczky) Erkel Bánk Bán (Kocsár) Puccini’s Italian Roadshow (Köteles) MOZART – L’oca del Cairo 19 August 2018 (Sun), Sárospatak 20 January 2019 (Sun), Daegu 14–21 September 2018 (Fri-Fri), 6 cities An American in Paris Puccini La bohéme (Dénes) Éva Marton International Singing Competition Gala (Kocsár) Mozart Serenade in C minor K. 388 – Bernstein and Gershwin on Margaret Island (Pfeffer) 8 February 2019 (Fri) – 29 March (Fri), 9 cities 15–16 September 2018 (Sat-Sun), Budapest Mozart String Quartet No. 3, K. 515 10 August 2018 (Fri), Budapest Alfano Il principe Zilah Three Tenors Gala (Yurkevych) Symphonic Concert (Kesselyák, Kocsár) 25 March 2019 (Mon), Budapest 1 October 2018 (Mon), Budapest 27 January 2019 (Sun), 4 pm, Erkel Theatre 8 September 2018 (Sat) – 2 December (Sun), 10 cities Flórez Bel Canto Concert (Kovács) Opera135 (Soltész) 27 October 2018 (Sat), Muscat 24 September 2018 (Mon), Budapest Hungarian Gala Concert (Kocsár, Kesselyák) ITALIA Orchestral Concert (Kocsár) 4 November 2018 (Sun), New York 11 November 2018 (Sun), New York Tales of Music Casella Barcarola and Scherzo, op. 4 József Antall25+ (Kocsár) 17 November 2018 (Sat), Budapest Rota Trio (1973) 10 December 2018 (Mon), Budapest Puccini’s Italian Gala Evening (Kovács, Medveczky, Dénes, Halász) Respighi Il Tramonto Beethoven Symphony No. 9 (Hamar) 12 January 2019 (Sat) – 23 April (Tue), 10 cities Leoncavallo Sérénade 1 January 2019 (Tue), Budapest Sümegi25 Ponchielli Quartetto, op. 110 Bach for All Festival (Oberfrank) 1 February 2019 (Fri), Budapest 20, 23 March 2019 (Wed, Sat), Budapest Garanča Aria Concert (Chichon) 22 February 2019 (Fri), 4 pm, Erkel Theatre Ybl205 (Kocsár) 25 February 2019 (Mon), Budapest 1 April 2019 (Mon), Budapest Calleja Aria Concert (Morandi) 19 April 2019 (Fri), Budapest IN SEARCH OF THE NEW WORLD II – Porgy and Bess Grigolo Aria Concert (Halász) ORATORIO PERFORMANCES 10 June 2019 (Mon), Budapest Stravinsky Octet OperaFüred (Kocsár) Rachmaninoff Songs Verdi Requiem (Ertüngealp) 27 July 2019 (Sat), Balatonfüred Bartók Divertimento 2–4 November 2018 (Fri–Sun), Vác, Cegléd Puccini Messa di Gloria & Le Villi (Paolo Carignani) 5 April 2019 (Fri), 4 pm, Erkel Theatre 20 May 2019 (Mon) Budapest

96 CALENDAR 18-19 CONCERTS CALENDAR 18-19 CONCERTS 97 CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES

98 CALENDAR 18-19 CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES CALENDAR 18-19 CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES 99 SING-ALONG BABY WEEKEND SING-ALONG ENCHANTING AFTERNOON JAM Musical Fun with Little Ones! – musical education for children aged 3 and below BABY WITH DADDY INSTRUMENTS AT THE ERKEL Musical Fun with Little Ones! AT THE ERKEL Playful instrument showcase – musical education for children aged 3 and below – recommended for children aged 4 to 10 A Playful Demonstration of the Orchestra’s Instrumental Sections – recommended for children aged 4 to 9

The Afternoon Jam gives children of kindergarten and primary school age a chance to get to know a group of At these sessions at the Erkel Theatre, parents will receive To make sure that dads who work hard during the instruments. Participants can better acquaint them- guidance on the musical upbringing of the youngest age week don’t miss out on all the fun, we have organised selves with a particular musical instrument and its groups based on the world-famous Kodály method. We a new programme of Sing Along Baby in the Erkel We offer a step-by-step course to teach our audience younger and older siblings. This interactive programme warmly welcome children as young as a few months, Theatre on Saturdays. With this baby group built on the customs and habits associated with going to the takes place at just an arm’s length from the young and all mothers, fathers and grandparents who love to the Kodály principles, we look forward to seeing any theatre and listening to music. With the help of inter- guests. The performance uses language that children sing and play music with their little ones in a relaxed and dads who love singing and playing together with their active games, they will get closer to the indispensable can understand, but even adults can discover a lot of affectionate environment, those who believe that it is little ones in a loving environment. The programme is foundation of opera and ballet performances: music novelties about the world of musical instruments. critical to raise children using the arts as tools, those who recommended for new-borns to three-year-olds. Mums and the orchestral instruments that produce it. enjoy singing and learning new songs, and even those are also very welcome! Hostess Mária Nagy, Opera ambassador who are themselves intimidated by the idea of singing Hostess Mária Nagy, Opera ambassador Featuring musicians from the Opera Orchestra and seek a community to support in overcoming their Location Erkel Theatre – Bernáth Buffet Location Erkel Theatre – Bernáth Buffet inhibitions and would like to expand their repertoire of songs. We recommend sessions from birth to the age of Hangvilla (tuning fork) season pass Fakopáncs (Woodpecker) season pass three and also welcome expectant mothers. Sessions held by Klára Ujvári (Sundays, 9 am–10 am) (Sundays, 3pm-4 pm) Location Erkel Theatre – Bernáth Buffet 30 September 2018 – strings 30 September 2018 – Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass Sessions held by Klára Ujvári 28 October 2018 – woodwinds 28 October 2018 – Flute and Bassoon Location Erkel Theatre – Bernáth Buffet Sessions 4 November 2018 – brass 4 November 2018 – Trumpet and Trombone Saturdays from 9.30 am (30 minutes) 2 December 2018 – percussion 2 December 4 February 2018 – Percussion Sessions Thursdays from 11 am (30 minutes) 2018 2019 Hangjegy (note) season pass (Sundays, 9 am–10 am) Fülemüle (Nightingale) season pass (Sundays, 3pm-4 pm) 29 September 5 January 6 January 2019 – strings 6 January 2019 – Guitar and Harp 2018 2019 27 October 9 February 3 February 2019 – woodwinds 3 February 2019 – Clarinet and Oboe 20, 27 September 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 January 24 November 23 March 14 April 2019 – brass 14 April 2019 – French Horn and Tuba 4, 11, 25 October 7, 14, 21, 28 February 8 December 25 May 19 May 2019 – percussion 19 May 2019 – Piano 8, 15, 22, 29 November 7, 14, 21, 28 March 6, 13 December 4, 18, 25 April Season pass 4 000 HUF / pass / person Season pass 4 000 HUF / pass / person 16, 23, 30 May 6, 13, 20, 27 June Tickets 1 000 HUF / family Individual tickets are available for 1 200 HUF once the season Individual tickets are available for 1 200 HUF once the season pass sales period is complete. ticket sales period is complete. Tickets 1 000 HUF/ family Arrive with pre-purchased tickets 15 minutes prior to Arrive with pre-purchased tickets 15 minutes prior to the event and use the main entrance of the Erkel Theatre. the event and use the main entrance of the Erkel Theatre. Please note: the cash desk opens at 10 am.

100 CALENDAR 18-19 CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES CALENDAR 18-19 CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES 101 TUTU TALES OF MUSIC OPERA TOUR WITH OPERA COMMANDO Theatre Visit with Ballerinas at the Erkel Theatres, Season Pass Series for Families at the Erkel Theatre A Vocal Rapid Reaction Force – for children of kindergarten and primary school age PAPAGENO – AT THE ERKEL

There are so many possible encounters with music: For primary school children The Hungarian National Ballet theatre visits pro- one of these that can’t be missed is a meeting between gramme will continue into the 2018/19 season in the child and the giant musical instrument in its full the Erkel Theatre as the modernisation of the Opera pomp: the symphony orchestra. The musicians can continues. The organisers await applications from kin- reveal many secrets while playing on the stages of the Even backstage, the Opera House is a magical place. The four-strong commando visits schools around dergarten groups and primary school classes. During Opera House and the Erkel Theatre and this is just one Participating children will get a glimpse into this mys- the country: they sing arias, duets, trios and quartets the theatre visit, the children receive a tour of the Erkel step away from children falling in love with music and terious world, which they will get to know, along with and talk about the world of opera and the institutions Theatre building, take a look behind the curtain and unable to wait for the curtain to go up or even sit in the the hidden secrets of both the House and the art of associated with the Hungarian State Opera – in 45 then enjoy a costume rehearsal and a little bit of dance orchestra pit themselves… opera performance, under the guidance of Papageno, minutes. Some costumes and props, and, of course, a teaching. The programme always begins at 9 am. the clucking bird-man from The Magic Flute. From the piano: that’s all that’s needed for the magic of the mo- Folk music or classical music? cellar decorated with portraits to the catwalks above the ment, even in a school gymnasium. It is only effective, Visit 1,500 HUF / person Folk songs performed with the rhythms, emphasis and stage, and from the costume warehouse to the painters’ though, if the experience is enhanced later in music Up to three accompanying teachers can enter free of charge. speed of the language of the given people, with language workshop, some big surprises await. And by the time lessons and then with the Opera Ambassador pro- being transformed into musical notes. The characteris- the singing starts, every little secret will be revealed. gramme and culminates at the OperaAdventure per- info [email protected] tics of speech from folk music are transferred to music. formances for 15-year-olds at the Erkel Theatre. So, a lot These effects are summed up in playful form from chil- The programme always starts at 3 pm. depends on the quasi “clown doctors”, the artists who Dates dren’s tales to ballads. often do several performances a day, week after week. 11, 12, 19, 20, 26, 27, 29 September 2018 Papageno András Hábetler 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 27, 31 October 2018 17 November 2018, 10.30 am, Erkel Theatre Director Attila Toronykőy 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 24, 27, 28 November 2018 Featuring András Aczél 5, 6, 11, 12, 15 December 2018 Play Conductor Dates 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 January 2019 Why do we need a conductor? How do they lead the 23 September 2018 (Sun) Partner Philharmonia Hungary 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 23, 27, 28 February 2019 orchestra? Could the orchestra play without a conductor? 21 October 2018 (Sun) 6, 7, 9, 20, 21, 27, 29 March 2019 Anyone can try being an orchestra conductor! 18 November 2018 (Sun) 3, 4, 9, 16, 17, 25, 30 April 2019 8 December 2018 (Sat) 8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 May 2019 26 January 2019 (Sat), 10.30 am, Erkel Színház 15 December 2018 (Sat) 5, 6, 8, 12, 13 June 2019 13 January 2019 (Sun) Fairy Tale Music 20 January 2019 (Sun) The most famous fairy tale characters from music history 10 February 2019(Sun) appear in the music of the symphony orchestra. How can 9 March 2019. (Sat) music tell a story? Together we write a fairy tale set to music. 17 March 2019 (Sun) 31 March 2019 (Sun) 13 April 2019 (Sat) 10.30 am, Erkel Theatre 7 April 2019 (Sun) 28 April 2019 (Sun) Moderator Tamás Lakner 2 June 2019 (Sun) Featuring the Miskolc Symphony Orchestra, the Hungarian State Opera 9 June 2019 (Sun) Orchestra and the Duna Symphony Orchestra

Partner Philharmonia Hungary info filharmonia.hu

102 CALENDAR 18-19 CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES CALENDAR 18-19 CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES 103 GREAT OPERADVENTURE 7.1 RECOMMENDATIONS Young People at the Erkel Theatrical Performances for Young People

The Hungarian State Opera welcomes children and, The 2018-2019 school year brings the seventh season of course, young people, together with their families, of OperAdventure, the largest theatrical education pro- not only with special series but also with full-evening gramme in Hungary. Tens of thousands of students (or full-morning) performances. We recommend the have come from all over the country using discounted following events: tickets for train and public transport, to take part in an opera experience of a lifetime at the Erkel Theatre. In spring of 2014, the programme expanded even further Erkel Theatre as several public collections opened their doors to the participants of OperAdventure Thus, the initiative ma- 14 John / Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical (see page 75) tured into a full-scale cultural adventure. 1–9 September 2018 14–16, 25–30 June 2019 If the school’s curriculum does not preclude learning off-site, then the programmes outlined in the informa- 10 Mozart The Magic Flute (see page 43) tion pack are eligible to qualify as teaching hours 2, 5, 7, 9 December 2018 according to the given school’s local teaching pro- gramme. So far, we’ve hosted 220 towns and cities, 750 6 Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker (see page 83) schools, and 260,000 students. The autumn Adventure 14, 15, 18–31 December 2018 during the refurbishment of the Opera did not take place, so we are doubling up in terms of anticipation Kacsóh János Vitéz (see page 51) and excitement for the spring programme. 9, 10, 17, 30, 31 March 2019 The OperAdventure returns with another rendition of Háry János, just as in May 2013, six years ago. 14 Erkel Bánk Bán (see page 35) 14, 16, 21, 29 March, 7 April 2019. Sponsors M.V-START Zrt., GYSEV Zrt., BKK Zrt., Ministry of Human Capacities – State Secretariat for Culture, 10 Kodály Háry János (see page 57) State Secretariat for Education 26–28 April 2019 info [email protected] 4 Harangozó Jr. / Kocsák Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs (see page 91) 1, 2, 5–10 June 2019 29, 30 April, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 May 2019 Kodály Háry János (See page 57) Opera House

14 John / Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical (see page 75) 2–7 July 2019

104 CALENDAR 18-19 CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES CALENDAR 18-19 CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH PROGRAMMES 105 SPECIAL EVENTS

106 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 107 V4 OPERA GALAS DANCETRIPTYCH IN BAREFOOT ON THE BEST OF RING BR ATISLAVA MEADOW

In December 2017, as Hungary took over the presi- The Hungarian National Ballet will also be taking It was exactly 80 years ago when the central venue of This programme was born from both impossibilities dency of the Visegrád 4 group, the Hungarian State part in the Visegrád 4 tours: at the joint invitation of the Budapest Summer Festival, the Great Stage, ini- and opportunities, because while we were planning Opera Orchestra gave a superb gala concert at Müpa the and that country’s ethnic tially operated by the Hungarian Royal Opera, opened it, it became clear that the renovation of our Opera Budapest featuring Edita Gruberová, Atala Schöck Hungarian community, the DanceTriptych produc- its gates on Margaret Island in 1938. To remember House on Andrássy Avenue would not be completed and others. This gala production – which showcases tion, which was created for the “Hungarian” season, this, we not only prepared an exceptionally colourful in 2018, as we had originally wished. This also makes performers representing all four nations – will be visit- will travel to Bratislava. Tamás Solymosi’s Hungarian programme series on the stage, we will also greet the it impossible to realise our production of Götterdäm- ing the three other capital cities of the group in April, National Ballet will be joined by two other Hungarian jubilee stage with free communal events in its imme- merung, which we had intended to serve as the climax along with our orchestra. Later on, in the autumn, the dance companies to perform three dance pieces, each diate surroundings to provide a high-quality cultural of our 2017/18 “Around the Ring” season, because the Hungarian State Opera as a whole will join in and set very different in concept, but all based on Bartók’s experience to all comers. The opening ceremony of the orchestra pit of the Erkel Theatre is inadequate for the off on a V4 opera tour. music. festive season will move to one of the favourite leisure size of the orchestra required, and, in its present state, venues of the people of Budapest, the Great Meadow the building’s stage is also not suitable for rounding Soloists Edita Gruberová, Atala Schöck, Szilvia Vörös, Krzysztof Bączyk Frenák/Bartók The Wooden Prince (see page 70) on Margaret Island, where the Hungarian State Opera out our Ring. We are therefore organising a large-scale Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra Seregi/Bartók The Miraculous Mandarin (see page 71) Orchestra and the winner of the Eurovision Song Con- concert version presenting an overview of the entire Juhász/Bartók Dance Suite (see page 72) test, the violin virtuoso and singer, Alexander Rybak, Ring and featuring our finest singers. After the Erkel Conductor Peter Valentovič / János Kovács who always creates a fantastic atmosphere, will give an performance, a similar concert will be performed at Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra opening concert free of charge to celebrate this beauti- the Kodály Centre in Pécs as a special event of the Pécs The V4 Opera Gala Tour is being presented by Müpa ful anniversary with children, young and older citi- National Theatre Festival (POSZT). Budapest. Conductor János Kovács zens. The musician, who has a special aura, appeared at the first Virtuosi: Celebration concert at the Open-Air Das Rheingold Prelude, Entry of the Gods into Valhalla Partners Duna Art Ensemble, Compagnie Pal Frenak Theatre on Margaret Island as a guest star in 2016, Die Walküre Prelude, The Ride of the Valkyries, Spring and now returns to present his unique playing style to Song, Wotan’s Farewell and the Magic Fire Music the Budapest audience on the occasion of the birthday Siegfried Dawn and Siegfried’s Rhine Journey, Was am of the theatre. besten er kann Götterdämmerung Siegfried’s Funeral March and Finale, Closing Scene Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra Conductor Domonkos Héja Soloists Szilvai Rálik, István Kovácsházi

Barefoot on the Meadow is an event organised by Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra the Open-air Theatre. Conductor Balázs Kocsár

Partner BMW Group Hungary 8 April 2018 (Sun), 7 pm BRATISLAVA – CONCERT HALL OF THE SLOVAK PHILHARMONIC 11 April 2018 (Wed), 7 pm, WARSAW – CONCERT HALL OF THE WARSAW NATIONAL 11 June 2018 (Mon), 7.30 pm PHILHARMONIC ERKEL THEATRE 13 April 2018 (Fri), 7 pm 7 June 2018 (Thu), 7 pm 9 June 2018 (Sat), 7 pm 13 June 2018 (Wed), 7.30 pm PRAGUE - MUNICIPAL HOUSE, SMETANA HALL BRATISLAVA – SLOVAK NATIONAL THEATRE MARGARET ISLAND, GREAT MEADOW KODÁLY CENTRE, PÉCS

108 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 109 KÁDÁR’S (VERY) LAST ERKEL125+ WITH AN BALLET IN BRNO JOSÉ CURA, RAMÓN SPEECH “ITALIAN” BÁNK BÁN VARGAS, ANDREA ROST AND ERIKA MIKLÓSA Mihály Kornis’s book of the same title, published more On the 125th anniversary of the death of Ferenc Erkel, IN VESZPRÉM than ten years ago, contains the script, sound material we will remember the great Hungarian musician’s and analysis of János Kádár’s last speech in May 1989 admiration of Verdi in an unusual way and, at the same The main character of is the General Party Secretary, time, test whether the statements about the similarities whose rambling, often incoherent speech hangs heavy between Erkel’s music and the Italian composer’s early The Hungarian National Ballet is developing a stronger VeszprémFest, the remarkably high-quality summer with the weight of crimes committed decades previo- and middle periods are true. Bánk Bán will be performed relationship with Brno and its theatre. We will be taking festival held in its picturesque Transdanubian town usly. Two Shakespearean chamber dramas were merged in Italian at a concert performance, a recording of selec- contemporary ballet to this wonderful gem of a Czech has been running successfully for 14 years now. Art- here: that of a dictator unable to truly repent at the end ted excerpts will be published and launched internatio- city: the three one-act ballets by Hans van Manen, ists of the Opera have appeared there on several occa- of his life and that of the rising young Communist, who nally because our beautiful is often which were premiered in the “Around the Ring” season sions, the most memorable of which were perhaps the has the “internal enemy” executed with the same cruel a barrier in making a work known and breaking down and performed together in a programme titled LOL at semi-staged performance of Don Pasquale (2012), with cynicism with which he would be unable to account stereotypes. (And if an author or a work comes to be Müpa Budapest. Erika Miklósa in the leading female role, and the gala for his deeds later on. Historian and documentary played regularly in the international operatic scene, then concert featuring José Cura and Ildikó Komlósi a few filmmaker Tamás Novák directed his first play for the it will be changed to the original languages anyway as Van Manen/Satie Trois Gnossiennes (see page 73) years earlier. The festival, which will be moved to a new stage on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the happened in the case of Bluebeard.) van Manen/Piazzola 5 Tangos (see page 73) location this year because of the renovation of the arch- 1956 revolution in a special venue: underneath the van Manen/Janáček/Stravinsky/Tchaikovksy/Mascagni/Massenet Black bishop’s palace, will invite those four world-renowned auditorium where communist dictator Mátyás Rákosi’s Erkel Bánk Bán – concert performance, public recording (see page 35) Cake (see page 74) artists whom visitors to the festival have had the most 60th birthday was also celebrated. (The Trapezium frequent opportunities to see – and who could serve as Room under the stalls does not exist anymore: it was a finer partner for this quartet than our orchestra? demolished during the reconstruction works.) On the 60th anniversary of the execution of the leaders Soloists Andrea Rost, Erika Miklósa, Ramón Vargas, José Cura of the Hungarian Revolution on 16 June 1958, the piece will be performed again at the Erkel Theatre, a building Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra that bore witness to the events of the revolution taking place on what was then called “Republic” Square. The Conductor Balázs Kocsár performance begins at the early hour when the execu- tion began.

János Kádár András Kőrösi László Rajk Tamás Fülöp Imre Nagy Dénes Farkas Doctor, Security guard István Stefánszky

Concept Szilveszter Ókovács Visuals, video Sándor Kiss Director Tamás Novák

16 June 2018 (Sat), 5.09 am 16 June 2018 (Sat), 7 pm 16 June 2018 (Sat), 7 pm 13 July 2018 (Fri), 8 pm ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE NATIONAL THEATRE, BRNO VESZPRÉM, HISTORIA GARDEN

110 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 111 ERWIN SCHROTT ARIA SAAREMAA OPERA AN AMERICAN IN PARIS CLOSING NIGHT CONCERT FESTIVAL – BERNSTEIN AND IN ZEMPLÉN GERSHWIN ON MARGARET ISLAND An artist’s name can sometimes be misleading: al- The fabulous Estonian island of Saaremaa has hosted The Zemplén Festival is the greatest summer pro- though his parents were originally from Germany, this opera festivals for many years – this fortress from the gramme series in Northern Hungary, with an integrat- bass-baritone was born and raised in Uruguay. Hun- Viking era should not be confused with the castle of ed offering of cultural, tourism, wine and gastronomy garian opera fans know him very well, as he has sung Savonlinna in Finland, which – with similarly excel- Is there anyone who does not know his name? Leonard events initiated by conductor Gábor Hollerung. For the the title role of in two runs at the Erkel lent facilities and its own rich history – also hosts a Bernstein was a multi-coloured wonder of the world, first time this year, the Opera Orchestra will give the Theatre. This year, he will be coming to Budapest at summer opera festival (where we were invited to take a who, in addition to his oeuvre as a pianist, conductor closing concert in the famous Sárospatak castle. Our the invitation of Open-Air Theatre to perform a concert production of Don Carlo in 2010). In 2018, the special and media artist, left behind a number of compositions programme does not contradict the historical heritage consisting of a classical set followed by his Echo Award- guests of the festival will be the Shanghai Opera and too. Compiling a selection of these on the centenary of the musicians of the Opera as it will include pieces – winning programme Rojotango on Margaret Island, the Hungarian State Opera, and all the tickets for our of his birth is a pleasant and popular but, at the same popular works by Dohnányi, Bartók, Weiner and Kodály both accompanied by the Opera’s orchestra. performances sold out a year ago when the contract was time, demanding and joyous obligation. Making the – composed for first general director Ferenc Erkel and signed. As this year marks the centenary of the inde- most of the special atmosphere of summer nights, we the Philharmonics Society – , the concert orchestra Featuring Polina Pasztircsák (voice), pendence of the Estonian state, this series, to which will now remember the Maestro with the orchestral established by the musicians of the Opera in 1853. the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra we are contributing three opera productions and a gala suite of West Side Story and two famous excerpts from celebration with audiences of 2000 each night, is espe- his Candide, alongside Gershwin’s music that he loved Erkel Festive Overture Conductor Francesco Ciampa cially important to both them and us. so much and often conducted and played on the piano. Dohnányi Symphonic Minutes Bernstein visited Budapest too and gave a concert at the Bartók Five Hungarian Folk Songs for Voice and Orchestra The Erwin Schrott Aria Concert is an event organised by Mozart Le nozze di Figaro (see page 35) Erkel Theatre. Weiner Concertino the Open-Air Theatre. 25 July 2018 (Wed), 8 pm Kodály Dances of Galánta Bernstein Candide – overture Verdi La traviata (see page 36) Bernstein Candide – Cunegonde’s aria Featuring Erika Gál (voice), Bálint Zsoldos (piano), 26 July 2018 (Thu), 8 pm Bernstein West Side Story – symphonic dances the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra Gershwin An American in Paris J. Strauss Jr. Der Zigeunerbaron (see page 37) Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue Conductor Ádám Medveczky 27 July 2018 (Fri), 8 pm Soloists Zita Szemere (voice), József Balog (piano) The closing concert is an event of the Zemplén Festival Centenary Opera and Ballet Gala Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus 28 July 2018 (Sat), 8 pm Conductor Nimrod David Pfeffer (USA)

The Bernstein100 concert is an event organised by the Open-Air Theatre.

10 Augustus 2018 (Fri), 8 pm 15 July 2018 (Sun), 8 pm 25-28 July 2018 (Wed-Sat) Rain date: 11 August 2018 (Sat), 8 pm 19 August 2018 (Sun), 7 pm MARGARET ISLAND OPEN-AIR STAGE SAAREMAA, OPERA TENT MARGARET ISLAND OPEN-AIR THEATRE SÁROSPATAK – COURTYARD OF THE RÁKÓCZI CASTLE

112 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 113 OPERA ON WHEELS I BEREGSZÁSZ ARENA NETREBKO & EYVAZOV MUSIC HARVEST IN PÉCS – THE SZÉKELY LAND GALA NIGHTS

Every Hungarian has both the need and the right to Visiting the Ukrainian border region during the First In the autumn of 2017, the Hungarian State Opera At the beginning of the Puccini season, the Hungarian feel that they belong to a nation. This is especially Carpathian Homeland Tour, we could really only spend Orchestra was chosen to accompany the world’s cur- State Opera Orchestra will visit Pécs to accept a kind important for those who must preserve their national time in Ungvár (Uzhorod) – and we have wonder- rent top soprano, Anna Netrebko, and her husband, invitation. As a major event of the Music Harvest festi- identity in a different country and cultural environment ful memories of the two performances there with the the tenor Yusif Eyvazov, in an unedited live television val, we will play an opera gala compiled from the works as a result of historical events. The aim of this project audiences totalling 3,000 in number – and not much broadcast by ZDF at the famous Waldbühne, the con- of the composers of verismo works under the baton of is to present open-air performances in every region of in Beregszász (Berehove). However, we did visit this cert venue in the forest near the Olympiapark in Berlin. the renowned Italian composer and artistic director of the neighbouring countries primarily for the Hungar- beautiful small town and found there an open-air arena Almost 20,000 people got to see the concert there, the Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago. Puccini will be ian communities living there, but also, since art is for that could house an audience of 3000 in a nice, hilly which was followed by their wildly successful perfor- absent from the concert though – this will be a tableau everyone, with members of the local ethnic majority location. Its conditions are not too heartening, but with mance of Andrea Chénier at the Erkel Theatre a few without a protagonist but with important side charac- population welcome as well. support from Hungary and in line with the intentions months later. Our next stop is to present opera galas ters. However, the people of Pécs will only have to wait of the town’s ethnic Hungarian leadership, we saw that with the famous couple in two Western European cities: a month for the great Puccini opera, Turandot. The First Carpathian Homeland Tour of 2017/18 it could be renovated. After replacing some wooden Zurich and Cologne. provided a special opportunity for both the audiences boards, painting, fixing the lighting and cutting the Verismo opera gala with works by Mascagni, Boito, Leon- – totalling 30,000 in number – and the members of grass, this site will be ready for use as a regular per- Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra cavallo, Ponchielli, Cilea, Giordano and Catalani the Opera’s company. We travelled around seven neigh- formance venue soon. The financial backing is being bouring countries and strengthens them, and it meant provided by Berehove’s sister city, Budapest’s District 9 Conductor Michelangelo Mazza Soloists Polina Pasztircsák, Boldizsár László, Zoltán Kelemen a great deal to us too to perform before our fellow Hun- (Ferencváros), and the Ministry of Human Capacities. Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra garians in remote sports halls. We will be continuing The Opera and the National Theatre are both undertak- this endeavour with our Opera on Wheels programme: ing to visit the town once a year to offer cultural gifts Conductor Alberto Veronesi our special lorry that can be converted into a stage can from the homeland to those who have been maintain- drive to the main square of any small community, and ing themselves and their Hungarian identity under The Music Harvest Festival is an event organised we can please the audience seated around us with our harsher and poorer conditions than anywhere else for a by Philharmonia Hungary Nkft. brand-new Italian opera production sung in Hungarian long time. (with Romanian surtitles) – now in the open air and free of charge! Erkel Bánk Bán (concert performance, tenor version) (see page 35)

Donizetti L’elisir d’amore (see page 12) Conductor Balázs Kocsár

Conducto Ádám Cser

Destinations Sepsiszentgyörgy (Sfântu Gheorghe), Csíkszereda (Miercurea Ciuc), Székelyudvarhely (Odorheiu Secuiesc), Marosvásárhely (Târgu Mureș), Tusnád (Tușnad Sat), Kézdivásárhely (Târgu Secuiesc), Szentegyháza (Vlăhița), Gyimesbükk (Ghimeș-Făget)

Sponsor the Government of Hungary 5 September 2018 (Wed), 7 pm 1 September 2018, (Sat) 7 pm ZURICH 31 August (Tue) – 9 September (Sun) 2018 Rain date: 2 September 2018 (Sun), 7 pm 9 September 2018 Sun), 7 pm 7 September 2018 (Fri), 7 pm SZÉKELY LAND (ROMANIA) BEREGSZÁSZ (BEREHOVE), ARENA COLOGNE PÉCS – KODÁLY CENTRE

114 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 115 OPERA FROM THE OPERA! CARPATHIAN ERKEL: ERZSÉBET NATIONAL DANCE HOMELAND EXTRA: – LIVE RECORDING THEATRE ZAGREB – MODERN BALLET AT Even if we cannot claim, paraphrasing the Hungarian poet MÜPA BUDAPEST I Sándor Petőfi, that one who becomes an opera singer in Hungary is a fool, he or she nonetheless has several press- ing missions to complete. In this unusual pair of years As part of our long 2017/18 tour we visited 16 ethnically when the Hungarian State Opera must largely do without predominantly Hungarian cities in the neighbouring Our institution pays a special tribute to our first general During the modernisation of the Opera House and due the Opera House, we have the opportunity to take the es- countries, but, of course, did not get to go everywhere. director each year and builds up the cult of the father of to the limited availability of performance venues, the sence of our work to Hungarians beyond our borders and We have had an invitation to Zagreb for a long time: the Hungarian national romantic opera, who is one and Hungarian National Ballet has been able to introduce it- the wider world, as well as to rural areas and opera-starved now is the time to also include the Hungarians living the same person: Ferenc Erkel. We will continue the self elsewhere. Last year, we were invited by the Nation- cities in lesser Hungary. This is the goal of the “Opera in Croatia and members of the local ethnic majority series, which is made for present and posterity with the al Dance Theatre to perform three modern premieres, from the Opera!” four-performance subscriptions, which population there as well – thereby also reciprocating the aim of immortalising Erkel’s operas – this time with which were later also shown to audiences in January. will run in parallel to the “Puccini’s Italy” season and will performance of Zrínyi that the Osijek Theatre staged at a recording of Erzsébet. This work has had an unusual We have received an invitation this year, too: this time be expanded to ten county capitals for this season – and the Opera House in Budapest in the autumn of 2016. fate as it is about the great Saint of the Árpád dynasty, we will bring a new programme entitled which we intend to repeat in 2021/22, when the Erkel but the gradual thaw of the oppressive Alexander Bach GIF (Girls In Focus) to Müpa Budapest. Theatre is scheduled to be closed for renovation. Erkel Hunyadi László (see page 39) regime, the upcoming compromise with Vienna and Conductor Balázs Kocsár the royal couple’s visit made its conception possible: van Manen Trois Gnossiennes (see page 73) The stops on the four-night “OO subscription” are Veszprém, Kaposvár, therefore in this lyrical work we can also recognise a North / Downes Troy Game with Amazons (see page 78) Szekszárd, Zalaegerszeg, Kecskemét, Tatabánya, Salgótarján, Hynd / Lehár Die lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow) (see page 76) homage to Queen Elizabeth, or Sissi, who had a special Kylián / Reich Falling Angels (see page 78) Eger, Nyíregyháza and Békéscsaba Conductor Kálmán Szennai affinity for Hungarians. The structure of the opera is in- van Manen / Piazzolla 5 Tangos (see page 73) teresting: Erkel composed only Act Two, while the first Programme: and last were written by the Doppler brothers. Although Partner National Dance Theatre • Ballet Gala – classical pas de deux and solo dances (Le Corsaire, no recordings of it have been made to date, musicolo- Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Spartacus) and Hans van Manen’s LOL gists claim that Erkel’s act in Erzsébet might well be the programme (Trois Gnossiennes, 5 Tangos, Black Cake – see pages 73–74) most beautiful he ever composed, a composition rival- • Symphonic Evening (opera overture, classical concerto with leading ling the quality of Bánk Bán. We will soon find out. artists of the Opera playing solo, vocal scene and symphonic music) • “Puccini’s Italy” opera gala (excerpts from popular operas by Puccini and Soloists Orsolya Rőser Hajnalka, Zita Szemere, Boldizsár László, his Italian contemporaries with orchestral accompaniment and three soloists) Zsolt Haja • Puccini Tosca (concert performance of the opera with chorus, children’s choir, orchestra and soloists, sung in Italian with Hungarian surtitles – see page 57) Composer Tamás Pál

Or Our previous Erkel recordings

• Puccini La bohème (concert performance of the opera with chorus, child- Bánk Bán (conductor Domonkos Héja, studio, 2011) ren’s choir, orchestra and soloists, sung in Italian with Hungarian surtitles Hunyadi László (conductor Domonkos Héja, studio, 2012) – see page 44) Dózsa György (conductor Balázs Kocsár, live, excerpts, 2015) Bátori Mária (conductor Balázs Kocsár, live, excerpts, 2016) Partner Philharmonia Hungary

7 September 2018 (Fri) to 23 April 2019 (Tue) 10-11 September 2018 (Mon-Tue), 7 pm 10 to 13 September 2018 (Mon to Thu) 12–15 September (Wed–Sat) 2018 IN THEATRES AND CONCERT HALLS ZAGREB – CROATIAN NATIONAL THEATRE HUNGARIAN RADIO – STUDIO 6 MÜPA BUDAPEST – FESTIVAL THEATRE

116 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 117 OO TURANDOT PUCCINI’S ITALIAN 3RD ÉVA MARTON CAR-FREE STAR TOUR ROADSHOW INTERNATIONAL WEEKEND SINGING COMPETITION

The aim of the Star Tour is similar to that of the “Opera Visit any major opera house anywhere in the world, and In 2018, the Opera will once again be participating in from the Opera!” subscription because not only the 10 An entire season dedicated to the last great opera com- you’ll find that they know the name “Éva Marton”. Our the worldwide Car-Free Weekend series. Due to the Hungarian county seats included in the latter that are poser to have his works played all around the world institution considers it a great honour to be the place modernisation of the Opera House, we cannot hold the important to us, but we would love to gain audiences – and a lorry which will set off in September to take where the famous Hungarian dramatic soprano both usual commedia dell’arte performances on the Sphinx for our theatre and genres in the other Hungarian cities the artists of the Hungarian State Opera to pay tribute started her career and celebrated her retirement four Terrace on Saturday and Sunday, but we would still like too. There is, however, the principle of fair play: in the to him in Italian cities that were important to Puccini. and a half decades later after numerous returns “home” to take advantage of the noise-free environment and the eight county seats which boast an excellent and regular During the tour, we will visit the house of his birth in to sing on our stages; and now we are proud to again clearer air on Andrássy Avenue. Cultural and culinary symphonic life and in five cities where opera produc- Lucca, as well as the two cities where the stories of two host her prestigious singing competition. Or, more delights await our guests outside. There to open the tions are performed, the Hungarian State Opera cannot of his operas take place: Rome and Florence. precisely, not in our place but with us as the Opera Saturday evening event will be the , pay a visit without disturbing the important relations House is closed due to modernisation, and so the Opera István Tarlós, and the general director of the Hungarian and established good practices in the cultural life of the Szálinger Chrysanthemums, or The Death of Liù (excerpts from the Orchestra will play at the awards ceremony and gala at State Opera, Szilveszter Ókovács. On the giant screen, cities. Therefore, we will visit these 8 cities with a single drama) (see page 23) the Academy of Music. recordings of the Erkel Theatre performance of La Puccini opera instead of a season ticket. And if it is only Bohème 2.0 will be displayed on Saturday and that of one occasion, then let it be the Puccini opera which Puccini opera arias Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra Triptych on Sunday (see pages 52 and 49-50). requires the largest staff, which will definitely not harm anyone’s interests because – due to its scale – only we Soloists Lilla Horti, Gergely Boncsér, Zsolt Haja Conductor Balázs Kocsár Partners Mayor’s Office Budapest, Budapest Transport Centre, BMW can perform it in Hungary: Turandot. Group Hungary Arranger and conductor Géza Köteles Puccini Turandot – concert performance with chorus, children’s choir, orchestra and soloist, sung in Italian, with Hungarian surtitles (see page 60) Destinations Trieste, Verona, Firenze, Lucca, Roma, Naples

Venues Győr, Tata, Szeged, Miskolc, Pécs, Debrecen, Szolnok, Partners Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, , Székesfehérvár, Szombathely Hungarian Academy in Rome

Partner Philharmonia Hungary Nkft.

14 September (Fri) – 25 November (Sun) 2018 14-21 September (Fri-Fri) 2018 15–16 September 2018 (Sat–Sun) 15–16 September 2018 (Sat–Sun) LESSER HUNGARY ITALY ACADEMY OF MUSIC – AUDITORIUM ANDRÁSSY AVENUE

118 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 119 1933: TATA FESTIVAL NIGHT OF THEATRES OPERA WITHOUT OPERA135 BORDERS

Gusztáv Oláh is an unforgettable figure in the history Have you ever seen the Royal Staircase, which is clad of our Opera, but what relatively few people know is in six different types of marble? Have you ever been that while Count Miklós Bánffy was conceiving and shown the strange booby traps waiting on the path from For many years now, Hungarians living abroad have The palace designed by Miklós Ybl was inaugurated in establishing the Szeged Open-Air Festival, the famous the painting workshop to the stage? Would you ever been invited to an opening performance at the Opera the presence of Francis Joseph I on 28 September 1884, designer and director Oláh was also dedicating years have believed that you would one day live to experience House, an institution always looking to enhance its role exactly 134 years ago: still, our traditional concert is not to organising and operating a venue for summer per- various forms of torture in the Martian space of the in Hungarian culture. For the launch of the new sea- a mathematical oversight, as it is to underline the open- formances in the park of the Esterházy Castle in the “chandelier loft” (the area high above the auditorium son, we are revisiting the theme of national unity, and ing of the 135th season. The concert is linked with the picturesque town of Tata. The same intention can be where the winch used to raise and lower the giant lamp paying our respects to our forefathers who 134 years theme of the season but it provides a selection of works acted upon even today. However, it won’t be, like then, is housed)? If not, then register at the address provided ago collected material, technology and expertise from premiered by the concert orchestra established by the Aida which we’ll be bringing to the citizens of Tata and before the deadline, and you may be one of the 134 across Greater Hungary to build the new Opera House. musicians of the Opera, the Philharmonic Society. visitors from Budapest –even back then many people lucky winners to participate in this unique 90-minute Just as the Parliament building is the grandest building journeyed to this exceptionally beautiful location by journey through this wonderful building inaugurated of a great country, the second grandest representative Leoncavallo Pagliacci – prologue train from the capital. Instead, it will be Puccini’s great- 134 years ago. Not to mention the fact that, since the structure was also created to symbolise ancient glory. At Mascagni Rapsodia satanica est work, Turandot. The concert performance is in keep- building will be closed for modernisation, the adventur- the beginning of each new season, it has become cus- Respighi Fontane di Roma ing with the Opera’s “Puccini’s Italy” season. (In the ers on this tour will need hard hats! tomary for us, as a kind of invocation, to ask the mayor Respighi Pini di Roma event of inclement weather, the concert will be held in of Gyula, Dr Ernő Görgényi, to lay a wreath at the feet the municipal sports hall.) Tour guide András Hábetler and András Aczél of his town’s most famous son, Ferenc Erkel, the fa- Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra ther of Hungarian opera and the first principal music Puccini Turandot (concert performance with chorus, children’s chorus, director of the Opera, whose statue stands to the left of Conductor Stefan Soltész orchestra and soloists, in Italian, with Hungarian surtitles) (see 60 page) the building. (Due to the refurbishment of the Opera House, the festive performance will be held at the Erkel Theatre.) This year, the now traditional taking of the citizen’s oath prior to the overture will be arranged by the Józsefváros district of Budapest, in whose district the Opera House is located.

Orff Carmina Burana (see page 13)

Partners Government of Józsefváros, Municipal Government of Gyula

2 pm – wreath-laying 2.30 pm – citizen’s oath 3 pm – Carmina Burana

16 September 2018 (Sun), 7 pm 15 September 2018 (Sat), 9 pm 23 September 2018 (Sun) 24 September 2018 (Mon), 7.30 pm TATA, ESTERHÁZY ENGLISH GARDEN OPERA HOUSE ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE

120 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 121 V4 OPERA TOUR INTERNATIONAL THE THREE TENORS 33RD SPAR BUDAPEST MUSIC DAY MARATHON®

The historic and therefore unbreakable cooperation of Initiated by Yehudi Menuhin, International Music Day Ever since the Carreras–Domingo–Pavarotti tenor gala In 2011, a team from the Opera took part for the first the Visegrád countries was initiated by József Antall, has been celebrated since 1975. To honour this red-let- in the Baths of Caracalla, which was held before the time in Budapest’s biggest marathon. In the years the prime minister of the first freely elected Hungarian ter occasion, we are holding an open day on which the Football World Cup finals in Rome, it has become very since, the number of those running has progressively government after the regime change – and we will be Opera’s Big B®and, which was established five years fashionable to collect the most popular arias in a bou- increased, and impressive results have also been remembering the 25th anniversary of his death in De- ago, will entertain passersby in front of the building on quet even with a larger group of singers. As the tenor achieved: not only has the Opera managed to muster cember. But now, however, we are announcing an opera Andrássy Avenue with interpretations of popular oper- arias are often the most beautiful melodies of the given the most teams of all the city’s theatres, its runners tour featuring two works that – in terms of their com- atic arias played exclusively by our brass players, seeing operas, the audience appreciates these nights even if have also produced the best times. Doubtless contribut- posers, stage directors and performers – bring together as several Hungarian composers have arranged the they contain excerpts from bel canto and early Verdi ing to this success are (in addition to the times recorded these four countries at three venues. works specifically for them. An unusual feature of the works, like this concert, performed by three excellent by Erika Miklósa and the similarly professional lads Opera’s brass ensemble is that French horns take the and internationally-renowned artists at the peaks of from the supernumerary corps) the efforts of the Cho- Janáček Jenůfa (see 39 page) place of the saxophones which are found in traditional their careers – under the baton of the music director of rus and the Orchestra of the Hungarian State Opera, Kodály: The Spinning Room (see 40 page) big-band lineups, but are not used at the Opera. (Due to the Polish National Opera. which eases the passage along the section of road along the modernisation of the Opera House, instead of the Andrássy Avenue by regaling runners from in front of Featuring István “Szalonna” Pál and his Band Sphynx Terrace, the programme will take place on the Soloists Fabio Sartori, René Barbera, Maxim Mironov the main entrance with choral and orchestral pieces, (Székely Spinning Room dance house) beautiful square in front of St. Stephen’s Basilica, also Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra while at the same time providing entertainment to designed by Miklós Ybl.) marathon fans. Conductor Andriy Yurkevych The leader of the Opera Big B®and is trumpeter Tibor Király. Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus The Three Tenors concert is an event organised by Müpa Budapest.

24-25 September 2018 (Mon-Tue), 7 pm WARSAW – POLISH THEATRE 27-28 September 2018 (Thu-Fri), 7 pm BRATISLAVA – SLOVAK NATIONAL THEATRE 29-30 September 2018 (Sat-Sun), 7 pm 1 October 2018 (Mon), 6 pm 1 October 2018 (Mon), 7.30 pm 7 October 2018 (Sun), 9.30 am PRAGUE – NATIONAL THEATRE SZENT ISTVÁN SQUARE MÜPA BUDAPEST – BÉLA BARTÓK NATIONAL CONCERT HALL ANDRÁSSY AVENUE

122 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 123 CAFÉ 2018 BERNSTEIN100 PIANO ARIAS JUAN DIEGO FLÓREZ – MODERN BALLET AT – CANDIDE IN CONCERT MÜPA BUDAPEST II

On the invitation of the famous contemporary festival It is a wonderful feeling to play both of Leonard Bern- Ferenc Liszt lived through the construction of the Op- Although we have welcomed the renowned Peruvian in Budapest, the Hungarian National Ballet, the Opera’s stein’s most important works for stage on the centenary of era House and modelled for Alajos Stróbl – his statue tenor to Budapest on several enormously successful dance ensemble, made an “excursion” to the far side of his birth: this project includes a piece with a mixed genre, is right there by the main entrance. Each year, to the occasions, this time we will be meeting him in the the Danube for a second time. This time, we will show on the borderline of opera and musical, similarly to West sound of the fanfare from Les Préludes, we lay a wreath Omani capital of Muscat, where we will accompany a new programme TripleDance, which includes two Side Story, featuring our orchestra and chorus. The direc- at this spot. Liszt not only conducted opera, but would his gala concert on the stage of the recently built opera genuine premieres. tor of the semi-staged production is György Böhm. also often rework beloved music from operatic litera- house there (which we also tried out in the year of its ture in his piano pieces. Charity and public-spiritedness opening). Inger / Pärt / Ravel Walking Mad (see page 80) Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus were key aspects of Liszt’s life and it is in this spirit that Eyal / Behar / Lichtik Bedroom Folk (see page 15) this piano concert is a joint production with the Őrzők Programme arias by Mozart, bel canto arias and overtures Forsythe / Schubert The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude (see page 14) Conductor Máté Hámori Foundation. The official charity of the Tűzoltó Street Children’s Clinic will donate income from the event to Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra Partner CAFe Budapest Contemporary Art Festival Director György Böhm improving treatment conditions for children suffering with tumours or leukaemia. This year we invited János Conductor János Kovács The production of Candide is an event organised Balázs, who will give a Liszt concert on the so-called by Müpa Budapest. “long model” of Gergely Bogányi’s “wonder piano”, which debuted at the Erkel Theatre in 2017.

The chief patron of the gala will be Anita Herczeg, the wife of the President of the Republic.

Programme works by Ferenc Liszt

Featuring Krisztián Kocsis and Fülöp Ránki (piano), Beatrix Fodor (voice)

Partner Őrzők Foundation

12 to 14 October 2018 (Fri-Sun) 13 October 2018 (Sat), 7 pm 21 October 2018 (Sun), 7.30 pm, 27 October 2018 (Sat), 7 pm MÜPA BUDAPEST – FESTIVAL THEATRE MÜPA – BÉLA BARTÓK NATIONAL CONCERT HALL ERKEL THEATRE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE MUSCAT

124 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 125 Kuressaare Saaremaa

Brussels Berlin Warsaw Cologne Prague Brno Zürich Verona Florence Trieste Lucca Rome

Naples New York Daegu Jerash Machaerus

Muscat

Kosice Uzhhorod

Bratislava Salgótarján Dunajská Streda Miskolc Berehove Nyíregyháza Nové Zámky Eger Vác Győr Komárno Satu Mare Akita Sopron Morioka Debrecen Oberwart Tata Tatabánya Cegléd Szombathely Szolnok Niigata Veszprém Székesfehérvár Mito Kecskemét Oradea Zalaegerszeg Kanazawa Maebashi Békéscsaba Salonta Ōmiya-ku Matsudo Cluj-Napoca Nagoja Fuchu Nerima Nagykanizsa Târgu Mureș Tokyo Făget Musashino Lendava Hódmezővásárhely Osaka Yokosuka Kaposvár Szekszárd Rimetea Vlăhița Tsu Szeged Arad Miercurea Ciuc Fukuoka Pécs Odorheiu Secuiesc Băile Tușnad Subotica Târgu Secuiesc Timișoara Deva Sibiu Sfântu Gheorghe Zagreb Osijek Brașov Novi Sad

TOURS AND GUEST PERFORMANCES DURING THE CLOSURE OF THE OPERA HOUSE 2017–2019

126 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 127 THE HUNGARIAN STATE REQUIEMS BIG PROJECTION DAY HUNGARIAN OPERA DAY OPERA IN NEW YORK

Those who wrote and those who will read the Opera On 7 November 1810, Ferenc Erkel was born the son of Calendar will remember the unique and perhaps lost a teacher in the eastern town of Gyula. Since 2013, the Great achievements and great risk are both part and parcel of One of the Opera’s loveliest traditions is its musical joy of watching slide projections, usually at home with birthday of the father of Hungary’s Romantic national this amazingly big opportunity: an old dream will come true observation of the the All Saints/Day of the Dead hol- family. This was an age when films didn’t race through opera is celebrated on Hungarian Opera Day. This day at the end of 2018 when we bring Bánk Bán and some of our iday period with the funeral mass that has been de- jump cuts every two seconds, and there was time for saw the reopening of the Opera House’s legendary other Hungarian operas to the stage of the David H. Koch scribed as “an opera in ecclesiastical robes”. Perhaps someone to explain what was in the picture and to read second venue, the Erkel Theatre on Pope John Paul II Theater in New York, followed by a ballet week featuring that is why we are the ones who are best equipped the accompanying story. For us to say, even befrore we Square, the largest seated auditorium in Central Eu- our international productions. The Koch Theater – formerly to perform it to the highest standard in Hungary. could even read, what the writing up there said. It is the rope. On this day in autumn 2014, we also remembered named the New York State Theater – once housed the New Giuseppe Verdi’s grandiose Requiem is the heartfelt importance of this shared experience with its power to another brilliant Hungarian composer, who – like Er- York City Opera and continues to serve as the home base for music of an opera composer, written in memory of bring families together that the national Big Projection kel – also made significant contributions as a teacher: the New York City Ballet. The building, which seats up to Rossini and the poet Manzoni. It blends tragedy, Day, which has held one of its main events in the Erkel Sándor Szokolay, whose Blood Wedding we performed 2,500, is part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts pain, hope and consolation in the operatic style and Theatre for years, wishes to draw attention to. We in- on the 50th anniversary of its premiere. In 2015, we complex and stands opposite the famous Avery Fischer Hall, language characteristic of Verdi, expressed in mo- vite local nursery school groups from District VIII and celebrated with another world-famous Hungarian work: the large concert hall that today is known as David Geffen ments of heart-wrenching intimacy and astounding children of our colleagues alike: as in previous years, a the colossal oriental opera, Die Königin von Saba Hall, and right next to the . With this trip, choral tableaux. popular television presenter, the father of four children, (The Queen of Sheba) by Karl Goldmark, who died 100 the Opera intends to get the unrealised American Bánk Bán will be narrating the stories, as we watch the classic years ago. In 2016, a concert performance of Ferenc project that stalled eight years ago back on track by taking it a Verdi Requiem slides with a musical backdrop. Erkel’s first opera, Bátori Mária was in the programme, step further and bringing a two-week-long Hungarian “sea- and the studio recording of the opera, based on the son” to the heart of what is commonly considered to be the Soprano Klára Kolonits Featuring Gergő Süveges (presenter), Miklós Harazdy (piano) critical edition of the score, was issued on the same day. centre of today’s modern world. All this can be accomplished Alto Andrea Szántó Partner Diafilmgyártó Ltd. Last year we released the massive Opera Vault series of with the additional support of the Hungarian government. Tenor István Kovácsházi 50+3 CDs to the general public. The series was sent to With our partners also arranging ancillary programmes, we Bass István Kovács public libraries and the music collections of universi- will perform each of the following works twice: ties, colleges and secondary schools, and is also avail- able for purchase at the Opera Shops. This year, we are Erkel Bánk Bán (see page 35) Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus including brand-new opera recordings of Erkel’s Erzsé- Goldmark Die Königin von Saba (The Queen of Sheba) (see page 41) bet and Levente Gyöngyösi’s The Master and Margarita Vajda Mario and the Magician / Bartók Bluebeard’s Castle (see pages 42-43) Conductor Alpaslan Ertüngealp in the box as extra volumes. The internal awards of the Hungarian Gala Night and Banquet opera, the jubilee golden rings, will be awarded before van Dantzig / van Schayk / Tchaikovksy Swan Lake (see page 81) the performance, and the new Eternal Members and Petipa/Gorsky / Goleizovsky / Messerer / Minkus Don Quixote (see page 82) Master Artists will also be inaugurated. Of course, we van Manen / Satie Trois Gnossiennes (see page 73) will not forget to lay a wreath at the Erkel statue in the van Manen / Piazzolla 5 Tangos (see page 73) foyer of the theatre. van Manen / Massenet / Mascagni / Stravinsky / Janáček / Tchaikovsky Black Cake (see page 74) Director András Aczél

Partner: Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Hungarian Cultural Center in New York, LOT Polish Airlines, Papageno.hu 31 October 2018 (Wed), 7 pm PÉCS – KODÁLY CENTRE Sponsor Government of Hungary 2 November 2018 (Fri), 7 pm VÁC – CATHEDRAL 28 October (Sun) - 12 November (Mon) 2018 4 November 2018 (Sun), 7 pm 7 November 2018 (Wed), 10 and 11 am 7 November 2018 (Wed) 5 pm, NEW YORK CEGLÉD – REFORMED GREAT CHURCH ERKEL THEATRE – BERNÁTH BUFFET ERKEL THEATRE – BERNÁTH BUFFET

128 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 129 ALDO FINZI MEMORIAL ROSSINI150+ NEW YEAR’S GALA THE ADVENTURES OF CONCERT AT THE – RECORDING FOR PICASSO CARNEGIE HALL TELEVISION – WITH THE ROMA OPERA

On the last day of our United States tour , the Hungar- One of the unbeatable oeuvres in the operatic world is ian National Ballet will dance contemporary one-act associated with Gioachino Rossini’s name. Although pieces which require music accompaniment, and thus it is mainly his comic operas that are played today, For a decade now, the public media has broadcast its At long last, the regular operation of the Erkel Theatre the orchestra will have the opportunity to play in Car- there are a good number of tragedies too among his 35 New Year’s Gala from the Szigligeti Theatre in Szolnok. will begin, and together with it the “Puccini’s Italy” negie Hall, the city’s huge and perhaps most famous operas, in addition to his two masterpieces of church Due to the refurbishment of their building, the public season will commence at the theatre too. Before the concert hall, on that Sunday night – for the first time in music, Stabat Mater and Petite messe solennelle. On the recording of the grand gala will be moved to the Erkel premiere of La fanciulla del West, Gian Luca Borghese, the history of the Hungarian State Opera. anniversary of the 150th anniversary of the composer’s Theatre this year , and will probably become slightly the director of the Italian Institute in Budapest, and death, we will inaugurate his bust in the Opera House, more “operatic” and “balletic” – which we don’t mind at István Puskás, the director of the Hungarian Academy Dohnányi Symphonic Minutes which is under modernisation. While we are there, our all and hope the audience will enjoy too! in Rome and the mastermind behind the project, will Finzi Trio Concerto singers wearing hard hats will pay tribute to the maes- open the exhibition, which will display costumes de- Vacchi Violin Concerto tro with some of their favourite arias in the form of an Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus signed by great artists, including Pablo Picasso. Bartók The Miraculous Mandarin – suite aria flashmob. Partner MTVA Partners Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, the Hungarian Academy in Rome, Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra Soloists Zita Szemere, Orsolya Sáfár, Gabriella Balga, BMW Group Hungary Lúcia Megyesi Schwartz, István Horváth, Csaba Szegedi, Conductor Balázs Kocsár Zsolt Haja, László Szvétek, András Palerdi

Featuring Pálma Hidegkuti (piano)

11 November 2018 (Sun), 8 pm 13 November 2018 (Tue), 1 pm, 24 and 25 November 2018 (Sat-Sun) 1 December 2018 (Sat), 6 pm NEW YORK – CARNEGIE HALL OPERA HOUSE ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE

130 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 131 NUTCRACKER FESTIVAL THE ROYAL MOSCOW OO TOSCA STAR TOUR JÓZSEF ANTALL25+ BALLET MEMORIAL CONCERT

On the first Sunday of Advent, we not only decorate The most beautiful jewels of Classical ballet tradition There are some cities which do not have an orchestra, It was on this day in December 1993 when the body an enormous tree befitting the wonder of Andrássy will now be shared with everyone instead of just a but due to the size of the population or the available of the first freely elected Prime Minister gave up the Avenue, but also invite adults and children who love limited circle of the elite! The Moscow Ballet acquaints artists of the given period of the season, we cannot take fight against disease. He did not ask for painkillers and yuletide treats to gather round the Erkel Theatre. Once audiences with their special world of spectacles in event them either a complete subscription or Turandot, which governed with a clear mind until the very end – having again, there will be choral performances each evening halls with thousands of seats far away from Russia. The requires an exceptionally large number of staff. How- taken over the government of the country in an inher- outside the building. With charity in mind, wine will Hungarian audience will have the opportunity to experi- ever, there are many people, some of them living across ently impossible historical situation. The life, prepared- be mulled once again, chestnuts will be freshly roasted, ence their fabulous performance at the Erkel Theatre in the border though not very far away, who are interested ness and death of József Antall are all exemplary: the the Opera Shop will move out onto the street, and many Budapest. Swan Lake was Tchaikovsky’s first ballet, but in opera. In this season that offers such special oppor- spirit of 1956, the protection of Christianity, the em- audio recordings and music-themed books will also be is now recognised as the most outstanding work of 19th tunities, we will visit these audiences with two real Puc- phasis on the European idea of liberty, the regional V4 available. All proceeds from the performances will go century Russian Classical ballet and has been staged in cini hits, La bohème and Tosca, which require a smaller concept and the “kamikaze” government that he under- to Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA). Leading artists almost every part of the world. Old-world values and, chorus and orchestra than Turandot. took to lead with patience and wisdom through a series from the Opera will be serving and selling the products evergreen ballet hits in a modern environment, per- of unfair attacks. And thanksgiving. For our memorial in the huts, while anyone will be able to have their formed by the most outstanding dancers of the Russian Puccini Tosca – concert opera performance with chorus, children’s chorus, concert, we selected from works dedicated to him or photo taken with the enormous Nutcracker doll. Our ballet school. orchestra and soloists, sung in Italian, with Hungarian surtitles (see page 49) conceived in ideas that characterised his life’s work. legendary ballet production, unchanged since 1950, was renewed three years ago, but in 2017 and 2018, for tech- Petpia / Ivanov / Tchaikovsky Swan Lake Destinations Nagykanizsa, Sopron, Hódmezővásárhely, Beethoven Egmont overture nical reasons, the audience will once again see Gusztáv Komárno (Slovakia), Dunajská Streda (Slovakia), Verdi Don Carlos – Liberty duet Oláh’s old set, but the new choreography by Eagling The production is an event of JVS Group Hungary. Oradea (Romania), Novi Sad (Serbia), Satu Mare (Romania) Miklós Kocsár Cello Concerto (1994) – on the death of József Antall and Solymosi with Nóra Romhányi’s new costumes at Kodály Budavár Te Deum the Erkel Theatre. Partner Philharmonia Hungary Soloists István Várdai (cello), Szabolcs Brickner, Csaba Szegedi, Opened by László Lehel, president of Hungarian Interchurch Aid Zita Szemere (HU), Gabriella Balga (SK), Ladislav Elgr (CZ), Krzysztof Bączyk (PL) Partners A’Capella Winery, Piarista Bor, Skrabski Winery, Hungarian Interchurch Aid, BMW Group Hungary Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Conductor Balázs Kocsár

2 December 2018 (Sun), 6 pm 3 December 2018 (Mon), 7.30 pm 3 December 2018 (Mon) – 29 March 2019 (Fri) 10 December 2018 (Mon), 7.30 pm OUTSIDE THE ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE

132 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 133 CHILDREN’S SAFETY LEONCAVALLO: LITTLE BOHEMIAN PUCCINI160 SILVER SUNDAY LA BOHÈME CHRISTMAS

This is the tenth year that the MKB Bank and the Inter- The work, or the works to be precise, that turned the The loveliest and most uplifting tradition undertaken by A few months ago during our tour of Italy, we visited national Children’s Safety Service have put on a joint two great artists’ friendship into a rivalry that lasted the Opera’s artists is the special charity performance that the house in Lucca where the greatest opera composer event at the Opera House. Once again, the music and until death… Because although Ruggero Leoncavallo takes place in the Christmas salon of the The Nutcracker, of the turn of the century was born. Today, on the exact spectacle of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker will conjure offered the libretto of La bohème to his good friend, the conjuring up a holiday mood with games, musical in- anniversary, when our theatre performs La bohème, we up a festive atmosphere for 1,100 disadvantaged chil- young Puccini, he rejected it. Then he begged him in terludes and opera excerpts. Starting in 2016, the Little will bring the Puccini bust, which has been sculpted dren from around the country and beyond. This year vain not to begin composition as he himself had already Christmas programme has been updated based on the recently, to the foyer of the building on Pope John Paul the opportunities are even greater as the reconstruction started… And it did not matter that his opera La bohème designs of our director András Aczél, and now unfolds II Square, and upload the Puccini relics of the Opera of the Opera House means that we are moving the pro- was highly successful a year after Puccini’s, posterity in a different magical winter setting: the garret from the on our institution’s community website. Before the gramme to the Erkel Theatre, where as many as 1,800 voted for the composer of Manon Lesccaut. However, if legendary 1937 production of La bohème. The event will performance, Massimo Rustico, the Italian Ambassador children will get to see it. we take a closer look at Leoncavallo’s opera, we will see be attended by physically disabled and socially disadvan- in Budapest, and Massimiliano Di Silvestre, the director signs of unfair neglect as he was also the composer of taged children otherwise unlikely to ever see an opera of BMW Group Hungary, will hail the audience and the Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker (see page 83) Pagliacci! The Italian titles of the twin-operas are identi- production on their own. Each year, our artists waive cult of Puccini on the stage. If things go as planned, we cal (La bohème), so our predecessors have played them their fees to perform at these Little Christmas shows. will try the find the tenor of the La bohème production Dr. Péter Edvi, President of the Children’s Safety Service, will greet the audience. with slightly different titles, and, in order to avoid mis- behind to curtain so that he can sing everyone’s favour- understanding, we will follow suit when performing it Little Bohemian Christmas, or Opera Tales From the Garret ite Puccini hymn, Nessun dorma, once more in tribute to (The Service is also organising a second event hosted jointly close to the time of the other Bohemian opera. the composer who was born exactly 160 years ago. with the Opera for disadvantaged children entitled Snow Doctor András Kórösi White and the 7 Dwarfs at the Erkel Theatre on 10 June Leoncavallo La bohème (concert performance) Christmas Fairy Orsolya Hajnalka Rőser Partner BMW Group Hungary 2019, 5 pm.) Dashing Hussar Zsolt Molnár Pugnacious Princess Eszter Zavaros Featuring the Sziget Chamber Orchestra of the Opera, soloists of the Hungarian National Ballet, the Children’s Chorus of the Hungarian State Opera (chorus master Nikolett Hajzer)

Conductor Géza Köteles

Director András Aczél

16 December 2018 (Sun), 11 am 17 December 2018 (Mon), 7 pm 18 December 2018 (Tue), 11 am and 2 pm 21 December 2018 (Fri), 7 pm ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE

134 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 135 NOCTURNAL BAT NEW YEAR’S AT BÁNK BÁN IN KOREA TOO! OPERA AT MÜPA THE ERKEL BUDAPEST

Because the bat is actually a nocturnal animal. Since The New Year’s invocation at the Erkel Theatre will We have found a special way to exchange guest perfor- From a professional point of view, one of the greatest 2011, it has been a tradition at the Opera to hold a spe- feature a newly commissioned work from poet Dániel mances with an agreement with the Deagu Theatre. successes of the “Around the Ring” season was the cial Fledermaus performance on New Year’s Eve. The Varró, inspired by Miklós Sáros’s newly commissioned The national operas of both nations will be performed chance for the Opera’s ensembles to swim in the friend- ball scene in the second act will incorporate a surprise painting, Marianna Venekei’s new choreography to an in the capital city of the other party, but the local com- ly acoustics of Müpa Budapest. The audience loved it, gala of celebrated Hungarian artists – for one night excerpt from Amilcare Ponchielli’s (Puccini’s teacher) pany can take part too, and thus, in addition to cost-ef- and we took it as an injection of self-confidence, as the only! There will also be champagne and, outside on famous ballet music “Dance of the Hours” in his ficiency, a genuine and organic cooperation and a deep sound quality revealed that we are comparable with the Pope John Paul II Square, fireworks and group singing famous opera (La Gioconda), architect Gábor Zoboki knowledge of the culture of a remote country can be front rank of the world’s major ensembles. On each of as audience members, artists and colleagues herald in representing the scientific world with his New Year’s achieved too. We will go first: the principal musicians those three nights, we performed a work that fitted with the New Year with the drinking song from Bánk Bán address, and a new overture written for the occasion by of our orchestra and chorus will travel to South Korea to the season’s theme Wagner knew Verdi’s Otello very in front of the Erkel Theatre directly after the perfor- composer Levente Gyöngyösi, as the entire company of rehearse and lead the ensembles there for ten days, of well, Strauss’s Die Frau ohne Schatten is the Ring-like mance. A cheery New Year’s Eve outing for the entire the Hungarian State Opera sends its greetings to the course with a Hungarian conductor, and then the solo- mythical world of an artist who was an avowed follower family – as guaranteed by the general director. audience and, through the M5 channel, Hungarians liv- ists will arrive too. There will be a concert performance, of Wagner, and Puccini’s last opera, Turandot, was ing abroad. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 has a universal but we will bring costumes so that the singers can iden- constructed along Wagnerian dramaturgical lines. As J. Strauss Jr Die Fledermaus (see page 44) value and message and provides an excellent oppor- tify with their roles better, and this visual element will music critic and author Géza Csáth put it, “In dramatic tunity for a hopeful start to the new year. The work’s have a special importance there, together with the Kore- terms, that is, the musical construction of the acts, Puccini Hungarian premiere was conducted by Ferenc Erkel, an surtitles. We are also preparing background screen- follows in Wagner’s footsteps.” In the Puccini season, we the first general director of our institution. ings and a short film about Hungary, Budapest and the have not created such a grand combination, but instead Opera. What else could this pilot project take to such a are bringing three masterpieces – each requiring a Gyöngyösi An Overture of Clocks remote place than Bánk Bán? This is how this season huge team – by three composers to the elevating atmos- Venekei/Ponchielli La Gioconda – Dance of the Hours will be the one, which, in addition to Puccini and Italy, phere of this hall in order to provide a special, one-time will take Bánk Bán around the world from Budapest to experience to opera lovers and concert-goers alike. A. Lajos Lelkes An Image of Clocks Berehove, New York, Naples and Tegu. Judit Ágnes Kiss A Poem of Hours (recited by Balázs Csémy) Wagner Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman) Beethoven Symphony No. 9 Erkel Bánk Bán – tenor version (see page 35) Conductor Gergely Kesselyák

Featuring Orsolya Hajnalka Rőser, Lúcia Megyesi Schwartz, Verdi Simon Boccanegra Tibor Szappanos, István Kovács, the Hungarian National Ballet, Conductor Balázs Kovács the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus Goldmark Die Königin von Saba (The Queen of Sheba, see page 41) Conductor Zsolt Hamar Conductor János Kovács

Hostess Noémi Morvai (MTVA)

Director András Aczél

31 December 2018 (Mon), 8.30 pm 1 January 2019 (Tue), 7.30 pm 7-20 January 2019 9 (Wed), 10 (Thu), 13 (Sun) January 2019, 7 pm ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE SOUTH KOREA – DAEGU MÜPA BUDAPEST – BÉLA BARTÓK NATIONAL CONCERT HALL

136 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 137 OPERA FOR DOCTORS SÜMEGI25 LEHÁR: LUCIAS WITH DAS LAND DES LÄCHELNS GRUBEROVÁ

On 17 January 1858, the newly launched Hungarian Eszter Sümegi has been a fundamental member of the Medical Journal published the first part of a series of Opera in the lyric-spinto soprano voice range since her Hungarian-born Ferenc Lehár’s strong links to the An encounter between an iconic opera and an iconic articles on the subject of puerperal fever containing debut in 1993. She completed the foreign tours neces- country and the Opera are well known: he conducted soprano: after singing the title role of Lucia di Lam- the observations and recommendations of a certain sary for a well-established career, winning first prize at in the Andrássy Avenue building several times, and mermoor with us during our 2017 tour of Japan, Edita Hungarian doctor named Ignác Semmelweis. In 2016, the Pavarotti Competition in Philadelphia, and singing there are newsreel recordings of him conducting the Gruberová will now return to Budapest to sing it at on this date of exceptional importance to Hungarian in Salzburg, Paris, Frankfurt and the Vienna Staatsoper. premiere of his grand operetta Garabonciás (an adapta- the Erkel Theatre, her first time performing the staged medical history, we invited representatives of the vari- Yet she has always remained an artist of the Hungarian tion of his own Zigeunerliebe) in the orchestral pit of the version here. Máté Szabó’s production provides an op- ous medical associations to fill to the Erkel Theatre State Opera, working mainly with us. In the meantime, Opera House in 1943. Puccini, with whom he had close portunity for the most outstanding coloratura soprano auditorium with members of a highly educated group she conquered Richard Strauss’s roles after those of relations, said: had Lehár committed himself to opera, (a Slovakian with Hungarian and Austrian ancestry) of that is well known for its traditionally close connections Verdi and Puccini, and her voice still has a fresh and he would have been my greatest rival. Some of Lehár’s the past 50 years to show off her incredible voce – now to the world of music – and we plan to invite them on strong power. After sevaral awards, she was granted works belong to those exceptions that opera houses can indeed 50 years after her debut in Bratislava in 1968. or around this day in future years as well. To kick off the Kossuth Pize in 2018, giving us one more reason to be proud to perform: such pieces are Die lustige Witwe, the new tradition, the doctors were treated to Balázs celebrate the 25-year jubilee of her career. Zigenuerliebe and Das Land des Lächelns. The latter was Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor (see page 40) Kovalik’s now legendary production of Turandot, which premiered at the Opera in 1930 and now Müpa Buda- was followed by another grand production, this time of pest will stage this composition, which includes the Conductor Peter Valentovič Aida and a classic production, Puccini’s Tosca, a year famous song “Yearning for a Woman”, after the expiry later. This year, doctors will be invited to a traditional of the rights to Lehár’s works. Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra grand ballet, the premiere of Giselle. Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus Sponsor BMW Group Hungary Lavrovsky / Adam Giselle (see page 84) Director Csaba Káel Partners Association of Hungarian Medical Societies, Hungarian Medical Chamber The production Das Land des Lächelns is an event of Müpa Budapest.

18 January 2018 (Fri), 7 pm 1 February 2018 (Fri), 7.30 pm 1 and 2 February 2019 (Fri-Sat), 7 pm From 9 February (Sat) to 13 February (Wed) 2019), 7 pm ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE MÜPA BUDAPEST – BÉLA BARTÓK NATIONAL CONCERT HALL ERKEL THEATRE

138 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 139 ELĪNA GARANČA ARIA ITALIAN CARNIVAL PAS DE QUATRE ’19 DANCE TREND ‘19 CONCERT NIGHT WITH SONYA YONCHEVA

We brought this panorama of ensem- Once again, the traditional Pas de Quatre night will Now at the absolute zenith of her career, this Latvian- We dedicated the Silver Rose ball of 2014 to the jubilee bles to life in 2013 with the name Pas de Trois ‘13. Under be followed by a presentation of the Dance Trend born mezzo-soprano is one of the greatest singers of composer Richard Strauss’s opera Der Rosenkavalier. the aegis of this original initiative, the Ballet Company programme, in which contemporary dancers, chore- our times. Her powerful and beautiful voice combined The late winter of 2015 was crowned with another ball of Győr and Ballet Pécs made guest appearances in the ographers and other creative artists, and even entire with her stunning appearance predestine her to the at the Opera, this time in the spirit of the season. home of the Opera’s ballet ensemble. Then, in 2014, independent companies get a chance to introduce opera stage. She will be bringing a concert programme to The same event of 2016 was dominated by Shake- the Szeged Contemporary Dance Company also joined themselves. In the second half of the programme, the the Erkel Theatre together with her conductor husband. speare’s works and themes, and the ball of the Hungar- the event, with the programme appropriately renamed audience will get to know a new production of the Hun- ian Season of 2017 explored the rich fantasy of János Pas de Quatre ‘14, starting a tradition in which the coun- garian National Ballet. Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra Háry. The “Around the Ring” season of 2018 emphasised try’s four greatest ballet companies can all be seen on the theme of the Ring, and the carnival night of 2018 one night. Pécs Ballet – Molnár/Bartók Inner Attraction Conductor Karel Mark Chichon will be permeated with Puccini and Italy. A cheerful Choreographer Zsolt Kecsó Molnár programme is, of course, suitable for some adventures Ballet Company of Győr – László Velekei Inner Voices Composer Béla Bartók Partner BMW Group Hungary among styles and genres: after Vesselina Kasarova, Costume designer Péter Fenyő Angela Gheorghiu, Plácido Domingo, Kristian Benedikt, Pécs Ballet – Mujić / Rachmaninoff Diamond Dancers Mónika Kócsy, Katalin Ujvári, Soma Lőrinc Kerekes, Ildebrando D’Arcangelo, Roberto Alagna and Aleksandra Péter Koncz, Márton Szabó, Szilárd Tuboly Kurzak, it is now the turn of one of the brightest young Szeged Contemporary Ballet – Corneliu Ganea Tabula Rasa soprano stars in the world: the Bulgarian Sonya Yonche- It was the music of Bartók that inspired choreographer va, who performs for the first time in Hungary. Hungarian National Ballet – Forsythe / Zsolt Molnár’s look at human relationships. Our ap- Schubert The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude pearances, habits, ways of life, thoughts and emotions Featuring the Hungarian National Ballet Institute, the Hungarian and value systems all vary. The first impression at an National Ballet, the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, Chorus and encounter is always determined by the surface, the Children’s Chorus outside appearance, but our personality transforms and deepens the relationship later on. But what really deter- Conductor Balázs Kocsár principal music director mines whether a rapport is established immediately or whether a longer time is needed for emotional bonds Directors Ferenc Anger artistic director and Tamás Solymosi ballet director to form, or indeed whether we just pass each other by? Co-Director Tamás Aczél How does fellowship develop between people, and how Hosts Noémi Morvai (MTVA), Szilveszter Ókovács, general director long does it take before they can turn to each other with straightforwardness and unconditional trust free of all Partner BMW Group Hungary superficiality? It is very exciting to see how we shed our learned forms of behaviour and reveal our true selves to one another.

25 February 2019 (Mon), 7.30 pm 2 March 2019 (Sat), 7 pm 9 March 2019 (Sat), 7 pm ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE

140 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 141 DANCE TREND ‘19 BREADCRUMB BALL BACH FOR ALL ALFANO: FESTIVAL IL PRINCIPE DI ZILAH

MA•ZE – Nagy / Várnagy Wild Wild Pest Choreographers Nagy Emese and Várnagy Kristóf Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the paragons of music Alfano’s most famous deed is probably that, after be- Charity has always been part of the 133-year-long his- history, and is respected by all musicians. It’s no coinci- ing recommended by Toscanini and at the request of MA•ZE is a Budapest-based creative community, the tory of the Opera. Due to the challenges of organising dence, therefore, that the global “Bach in the Subways” the Puccini family, he completed the composer’s final founders of which, Emese Nagy, Jessica Simet and programmes in a single theatre, this season’s Bread- event was organised around his birthday. The Opera opera, Turandot, which had remained as a draft. For Kristóf Várnagy, have been working together since early crumb Ball will not be the matinée on the day following will also be joining in this year, although it’s not easy this, he had to be a significant figure of Italian verismo 2017. During this time, they have staged many produc- our carnival ball, but the performance of the following to find something from Bach’s universal oeuvre that is in his own right, of course, yet his works are rarely tions in venues such as Trafo, the MU Theatre and the Saturday. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds or particular suited to us and our mission. So... our solu- played. However, in a thematic season that selects from at home, and in Germany, Denmark and those living with disabilities will be taking their places tion is to play one of his secular cantatas, which can Puccini’s era and country, there is an opportunity for Canada abroad. Their work is typified by boundless pas- again in the Erkel Theatre’s auditorium and will also be regarded as a sort of stab at opera. A concert perfor- this to be corrected, especially if we find Hungarian sion and energy. receive a gift, in addition to the performance of János mance of Coffee Cantata will be held in the Pope John connections. In addition to his works popular in the Vitéz. Paul II Square metro station near the Erkel Theatre. composer’s lifetime (e.g. Cyrano de Bergerac or Resur- The creative pair behind MA•ZE, Emese Nagy and rezione), the conception of Il principe di Zilah were Kristóf Várnagy, will present their duo Wild Wild Pest at Kacsóh János Vitéz (see page 44) surrounded by important names: the librettist, Illica, this year’s Dance Trend. They created the work for the worked for Puccini, and the publishing house Ricordi programme of the renowned international dance plat- Partner Klauzál Lions Club was Puccini’s publisher – and the premiere took place form Springboard Danse Montreal. in Genoa on 3 February 1909. The tale, which begins in the woods of the Bakony Hills in Hungary, is a genuine Hungarian National Ballet – Eyal/Behar/Lichtik Bedroom Folk (see page 15) story with Hussars and Gypsies, and now is the time and opportunity to take a good look at it.

Alfano Il principe di Zilah (concert performance)

10 March 2019 (Sun), 7 pm 16 March 2019 (Sat), 11 am 20 (Wed) and 23 (Sat) March 2019 25 March 2018 (Mon), 7 pm EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE ERKEL THEATRE POPE JOHN PAUL II SQUARE – METRO STATION ERKEL THEATRE

142 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 143 YBL205 THE MASTER AND 5TH IVÁN NAGY WORLD VOICE DAY MARGARITA INTERNATIONAL – CD RECORDING BALLET GALA

Some years ago, we celebrated the bicentenary of the It is well known that Levente Gyöngyösi has been on The internationally renowned ballet dancer and several- World Voice Day is a programme of events organised birth of a great admirer of Italian Renaissance, the the Hungarian musical scene for a long time and is time ballet director Iván Nagy passed away in 2014. Af- every year since 1999 and dedicated to demonstrating legendary Hungarian architect Miklós Ybl, who left a composer of great talent, since there have not been ter returning to Hungary, he committed himself to the what an important role the voice, as one of the key tools behind not only his masterpiece, the Opera House but many composers in the past 100 years whose opera service of his homeland and worked with us again as a of communication, plays in our everyday lives, some- also such timeless works as the Castle Bazaar, St. Ste- written at the age of 25 has been premiered in the An- consultant to the Hungarian State Opera. He imparted thing that is the subject of a great deal of scientific ma- phen’s Basilica and the Danubius Fountain on Erzsébet drássy Avenue building. Now, almost two decades later, a wide range of professional knowledge, enhancing the terial. On 16 April, those interested can participate in Square. The concert was attended by an audience of The Stork Caliph will be followed by his second work for Hungarian National Ballet’s work and leaving a great hundreds of concerts, scientific presentations and other engineers and architects, and we have been trying to stage, the first concert performance of which was held empty space in our ensemble’s ranks with his demise. programmes around the world. The new feature of our make the Ybl Concert a celebration of the architectural at the Miskolc Opera Festival in 2017. The musical- In his memory, we each year organise an international concert tonight will be the opportunity for “civilians” to profession ever since. Several days before the concert, opera based on Bulgakov’s world-famous novel will ballet gala night, in which soloists from the greatest bal- sing excerpts from operas. Instead of in the bathroom, the Ybl Prizes, the highest accolades in Hungarian now be given its final form and recorded on CD. The let companies in the world – including the Royal Ballet, they will do so in the auditorium of the Erkel Theatre architecture, will be presented: the audience at the con- brand-new studio equipment of the Eiffel Art Studios the English National Ballet, the Bolshoi, the Paris Opera with the Opera Orchestra. cert will get the chance to applaud the winners. When will debut with this diverse and demanding studio and the Dutch National Ballet – join the artists of the compiling the programme for the concert, we tried to recording – and it will be performed on stage too in the Opera’s ballet ensemble to pay tribute to Iván Nagy’s select from masterpieces of Ybl’s contemporaries and following season. knowledge and humanity. On the same day, we will Producer Éva Bátori often acquaintances. (Before the concert, representa- award an artist of the Hungarian National Ballet with Director András Aczél tives of both the Opera and the Ybl Society usually lay Levente Gyöngyösi’s work was commissioned personally by the Solymosi Award, which is given to the best dancer a wreath at the memorial tablet on the side wall of the Gábor Hollerung. from the December run of the The Nutcracker. Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra Neo-Renaissance Opera House, accompanied by Italian Renaissance brass music, but this will not be possible Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus Producer and director Tamás Solymosi Conductor Balázs Kocsár this year due to the historical reconstruction of the building.) Conductor Gábor Hollerung Conductor András Déri

Goldmark In the Spring Goldmark Violin Concerto in A Minor Mahler Symphony No. 4

Conductor Balázs Kocsár

Hostess Noémi Morvai (MTVA) Partner Chamber of Hungarian Architects

1 April 2019 (Mon), 7,30 pm 8 to 12 April 2019 (Mon-Fri) 14 April 2019 (Sun), 7 pm 16 April 2019 (Tue) ERKEL THEATRE EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – FRICSAY STUDIO ERKEL THEATRE EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE

144 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 145 JOSEPH CALLEJA VIGIL WITH MAMAMATINÉE ’19 CINEMA SZINETÁR PLUS ARIA RECITAL THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

If we take Zoltán Kodály at his word, musical educa- Miklós Szinetár, former general director of the Opera, is tion commences not in the womb, but even before the one of the doyens of the scene. He is still The Maltese tenor is one of the most popular opera The Australian actor and director Mel Gibson’s monu- child’s own mother is born. Once again on Mother’s active, and in his long career has made important con- singers in the world today. It will not be his first visit to mental film The Passion of the Christ was shown in cin- Day, the Opera House extends a special invitation to tributions to television, operetta, film-making, books, Budapest, but the first time he will sing a whole opera emas worldwide during Lent in 2004. Although it di- young mothers: by showing a medical certification of opera productions and opera management. In his first gala here. He has been on stage since he was 19, and vided viewers, there seemed to be agreement that it was pregnancy, expectant mothers will be able to receive Cinema Szinetár programme, he spoke about his 12 op- he sings arias from lyrical as well as spinto roles at his the most important passion film ever made. The Erkel, two 300-forint tickets for the matiné performance of era films and in the second series about his productions concerts. which also functioned as a cinema for an extended Háry János, and those who already have children will be in theatre, drama and operetta, showing excerpts from time, will resume its old role as the world’s largest film welcome to bring them along too. 2019 will be the sixth each, while the inclusion of legendary singers made the Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra theatre on Good Friday. time we’ve held the MamaMatinée, and encouraged by event unforgettable. Neither the audience nor we could Conductor Pier Giorgio Morandi the results of previous years, we will now be welcom- accept that the three-year series ended last year, so we Mel Gibson The Passion of the Christ (2003, 122’, American film ing 500 young couples and families to the orchestra are preparing another combined programme and one- Joseph Calleja’s Aria Recital is an event organised with Hungarian subtitles) level of the Erkel Theatre. During the first interval, we’ll man-show, this time about his favourite composers, by Müpa Budapest. take a collective highresolution photograph of all of the works, productions and artists, in two theatrical acts Jesus James Caviezel expectant mothers in front of the theatre and put it up and featuring an armchair and a screen – in a word, The Virgin Mary Maia Morgenstern for downloading on the Opera’s social media site. (This everything that has been omitted from the tales of a Mary Magdalene Monica Bellucci year, the National Association of Large Families will long life and artistic career. Satan Rosalinda Celentano be holding its “Baby Shower” programme at the Erkel Pontius Pilate Hristo Naumov Sopov Theatre for the second time.) Director András Aczél

Kodály Háry János (see page 57)

Partners Promobox Ltd., National Association of Large Families (NOE)

19 April 2018 (Fri), 7 pm 19 April 2019 (Fri), 9 pm 4 May 2018 (Sat), 11 am 5 May 2019 (Sun), 6 pm MÜPA BUDAPEST – BÉLA BARTÓK NATIONAL CONCERT HALL ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE

146 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 147 EUROPEAN OPERA DAYS CHORAL DAYS ‘18 SEREGI NIGHT ’19 PUCCINIFEST

Every year since the spring of 2015, on the weekend Ferenc Erkel, the Opera’s first and eternal principal mu- With this decoration, the Hungarian State Opera hon- For Mayfest of 2019, the Andrássy Avenue building will closest to Europe Day (May 9), the Hungarian State sic director, was for ten years the national chorus mas- ours the memory of one of the most influential figures still be closed, or at most operating in a trial run, while Opera, taking up the practice of its Opera Europa part- ter of the budding Hungarian choral movement – at the of Hungarian ballet, the internationally respected and the Erkel Theatre will be hosting the 12th series of Op- ners, has been opening its doors to a university student, time, this primarily meant four-part, all-male ensem- Kossuth Prize-winning László Seregi, who passed away eraAdventure (7.1). And in the meantime there is the an opera fan and an intrepid member of the press, all bles. He even composed for them and participated in in 2012. The purpose of the award is to preserve and great opportunity during a two-week festival to perform drawn at random. After the evening’s performance, their national meetings. Something similar will also be pass on his lifetime achievements and workmanship all 11 of Puccini’s works for stage and, in addition, two those selected were invited to enter into the now-dark- happening at the theatre that bears his name, now for to future generations: the prize serves to recognise significant contemporaries and two interestingly related ened building and test their opera mettle in a night- the third time: in 2019, we are organising a meeting of creative talent among the current generation of active ballets: this is how we have organised the season and time quiz tour – dressed in a costume from one of the amateur choruses again, for which each must prepare choreographers. Each year, it is given to a single active May festival of performances and concerts focusing on productions. After a whole night of torture, they had to a single choral piece. The choruses will truly have the choreographer deemed most adept at creating time- Puccini’s person and his Italy. An overview of the live prove on stage what they had learned about the art of Erkel Theatre to themselves for the two-day jamboree: less works and artistic value with their own individual (not screened) programme of PucciniFest: making theatre. This year the only change will be that they’ll be able to listen to each other, form connections, style. The recognition – which is permanent and does they can be the first to enter the newly opened Eiffel Art and simply enjoy themselves as singers who like com- not pass to next year’s winner – may also be awarded Manon Lescaut (see page 22) Studios following the ballet performance of A Streetcar bining their family and community life with their love to artists working outside the realm of classical bal- Il trittico (see pages 58-59) Named Desire. There will be thrills, fear, enjoyment, of music. The final programme will be the Opera’s gift let, to contemporary and theatrical dance choreogra- La fanciulla del West (see page 16) music and dance – as well as food and drink for the to them: in the Sunday afternoon performance, we plan phers, for example. The prize is handed over with a Tosca (see page 57) exhausted travellers. for the entire auditorium to join in with the Opera Cho- statuette designed by János Krasznai to symbolise the Turandot (see page 60) rus as it sings excerpts from Háry János on the stage. workmanship of László Seregi, and also comes with a Le Villi (see page 150) Director András Aczél commission from the Opera House for the creation of La rondine (see page 25) a new piece of choreography for the following season. Madama Butterfly (see page 60) Partner Opera Europa Kodály Háry János (see page 48) (The awards ceremony will take place before the perfor- La bohème 2.0 (see page 61) mance of Sylvia choreographed by Seregi.) Edgar (see page 24) Producer Gábor Csiki chorus director Host András Aczél Jury Teodóra Bán, Eszter Kollár, Gábor Mihályi, Szilveszter Ókovács, Szálinger–Puccini Chrysanthemums, or The Death of Liù (see page 23) Partner KÓTA Tamás Solymosi Vittorio Grigolo’s Puccini Night (see page 152) Puccini, the Bard (see page 151) info [email protected] Puccini Messa di Gloria (see page 150) Former winners András Lukács, Tamás Juronics, Jiří Kylián, Giordano Andrea Chénier (see page 62) Gábor Mihályi, Balázs Vincze Giordano Fedora (see page 62) Italian Church Music (see page 151) Verismo Aria Night (see page 151) Ponchielli Gioconda (see page 18) MacMillan/Massenet Manon (see page 91) Lavrovsky/Adam Giselle (see page 84)

Partner BMW Group Hungary

11 May 2019 (Sat) 11 May 2019 (Sat), 7 pm 15 May 2019 (Wed), 7 pm 18 May 2019 (Sat) – 10 June (Mon) EIFFEL ART STUDIOS ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE

148 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 149 PUCCINIFEST PUCCINI: PUCCINI, THE BARD CHORAL ARTISTS’ – FILM SCREENINGS MESSA DI GLORIA & LE VILLI MINI-FESTIVAL

Our Puccini festival is just as about Puccini’s Italy as it Messa di Gloria acquaints us with the 22-year-old The great Italian composer’s art was about melody – he The oldest and largest professional chorus in Hungary is about the composer himself. In order to create a full Puccini. It was no coincidence that he turned to church would have been a born song-composer had his drama- is the Hungarian State Opera Chorus. The director of picture, it is essential to show something of the Italian music: in his native Lucci, four generations of Puccinis turgic talent not predestined him to compose music the chorus consisting of 160 artists is Gábor Csiki, who musical scene of the era from which Puccini emerged, composed church music. As a young boy, Giacomo for stage. Although his oeuvre was not as rich in works was a member of the chorus for 20 years. The largest and therefore we will remember his contemporaries as sang in the church chorus as a contralto and began as Verdi’s, he did compose songs in addition to his ten and most active children’s chorus in Hungary, the Hun- well as composers who were older or younger than him. to learn to play the organ at the age of five under his operas and a few symphonic pieces and church music. garian State Opera Children’s Chorus is led by Nikolett The lectures will be held by music historians with film father’s guidance. After its premiere in Lucca, his mass These were composed for special occasions, some were Hajzer, who was a member too as a young girl. On this screenings and music recordings, following the practice was forgotten for many years. Some of its parts might the fruits of his student years, while others were drafts special day of the long and difficult season both the that has proved to be successful in the past two seasons. sound familiar because he used them later in his ope- for his later operas: in this case all the two dozen songs young and the more experienced artists of the chorus The venue is new though: the brand-new function room ras: an excerpt from Gloria can be heard in the finale will be sung on the stage of the renovated Opera House, will be playing a leading role. The programme begins in the fifth-floor loft, which is accessible by the audi- of the first act of Tosca, the melody of Agnus Dei is the which has been improved acoustically too. at St. Stephen’s Basilica and then continues in another ence via a newly installed lift or the staircase. (For exact Madrigal in the second act of Manon Lescaut, and in building designed by Miklós Ybl, the Opera House, and dates and times, check the Opera website.) the church scene (Requiem) of his opera Edgar parts Puccini Songs finishes with a staged production of our choral artsits at of Kyrie can be recognised. No retrospective Puccini the Eiffel at night. Zandonai Francesca da Rimini festival can therefore be complete without this excel- Featuring Lúcia Megyesi Schwartz, Beatrix Fodor, Bori Keszei, Mascagni Cavalleria rusticana lent work from his younger days, Messa di Gloria. The István Horváth, Zoltán Bátki Fazekas (voice), Bálint Zsoldos (piano) 11 am – Choral Artists’ Verismo Aria Night Leoncavallo Pagliacci second part of the programme will be the concert per- (Opera House – Zoboki Room) Catalani La Wally formance of Puccini’s opera Le villi. Between the two 12 pm – Prayer service with the Children’s Chorus Boito pieces, ballet scenes will be performed as it was a very (St. Stephen’s Basilica) Cilea Adriana Lecouvreur interesting moment of music history when an opera 7 pm – Giordano Fedora (see page 53) Alfano Il principe di Zilah was composed to the story of a formerly successful bal- (Eiffel Art Studios – Bánffy Stage) Franchetti Cristoforo Colombo let, namely that of Giselle. Dallapiccola Volo di notte Coronaro Un curioso accidente Puccini Messa di Gloria Menotti The Telephone Lavrovsky / Adam Giselle (excerpts, see page 68) Puccini La bohème (1937, directed by Kálmán Nádasdy) Puccini Le villi Verdi Wolf-Ferrari Il segreto di Susanna Featuring artists of the Hungarian National Ballet, the Hungarian Giordano Andrea Chénier State Opera Orchestra and the Chorus of the Hungarian Radio Ponchielli Gioconda Leoni Tzigana Director András Aczél Conductor Paolo Carignani

18 May (Sat) to 10 June (Mon) 2019 20 May 2019 (Mon), 7 pm 3 June 2019 (Mon), 7.30 7 (Fri – Fedora only) and 9 (Sun) June 2019 OPERA HOUSE – ZOBOKI ROOM ERKEL THEATRE OPERA HOUSE

150 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 151 PUCCINI ARIA EVENING SEASON-CLOSING PRIMAVERA FESTIVAL GUEST PERFORMANCES WITH VITTORIO GRIGOLO NIGHT OF STARS OF THE SLOVAK NATIONAL THEATRE

If we described Joseph Calleja as one of today’s most The season cannot be allowed to pass without a spec- It is the obligation of the Hungarian State Opera, by We have paid several visits to Bratislava in recent popular tenors, then what does that leave to say about tacular gala to celebrate the best moments from the virtue of its rank and status as a national institution, to years. Although our guest performance of Bánk Bán in the trendy handsome boy who looks more like a pop several hundred performances and events staged by the support the performance of opera around the country 2000 was followed by a 17-year-long pause, the people singer? Looks can be deceiving though: Vittorio sang Hungarian State Opera. On this special evening, the and across our borders. It was this recognition that in living in the old Hungarian coronation city were able at the Chorus of the Sistine Chapel as a young boy, and stage will be graced by the greatest of the great, as well 2013 gave rise to the week-long Primavera series, in to witness the opera Hunyadi László and the ballet his soprano as a shepherd boy trilled at Pavarotti’s side as the most promising young performers. And we will which each of the companies from Hungary and abroad Die lustige Witwe in the autumn of 2017. In April 2018, in Tosca. And time has revealed that he has real heart, be handing out decorations too as we reveal who will that are invited to participate feature their latest pieces we brought the opera concert of our orchestra and then and he does not simply have a place in the musical take charge next season of the three Chamber Singer at the Erkel Theatre. This time, in the seventh year, we Bartók’s DanceTriptych to Bratislava, and finally Jenůfa scene but now the greatest opera houses are competing positions and of the sole Étoile Award as well as the have to make a change, but it is possible that this obli- and The Spinning Room too as part of the V4 tour. Now for him. It is the first time Vittorio Grigolo has visited Chamber Artist of the Opera Orchestra and the Cham- gation might bring the work of the theatre companies is the time for their visit! Hungary; at the recital he will sing Puccini arias and ber Artist of the Opera Chorus awards for a musician from the country to the “right place”: works which are our Hungarian female soloists will sing the most beau- of the orchestra and the chorus respectively. The audi- difficult to promote will be performed at the newly- Featuring the Orchestra and Chorus of the Slovak National Theatre tiful melodies by Puccini’s contemporaries. ence will be populated with artists and employees of the opened Eiffel Art Studios, where the series of guest Opera together with the Opera’s special guests. performances can continue in a full auditorium in an Puccini arias, excerpts from works by Mascagni, Leoncavallo, Cilea, air-conditioned room but a real festival atmosphere. Ponchielli, Boito and Verdi Host Szilveszter Ókovács general director Csokonai National Theatre - Debrecen Soloists Atala Schöck, Orsolya Sáfár, Adrienn Miksch, Conductor Balázs Kocsár principal music director Győr National Theatre Polina Pasztircsák Hungarian Opera of Cluj-Napoca Choreographer Tamás Solymosi ballet director Miskolc National Theatre Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra Pécs National Theatre Director Ferenc Anger artistic director Szeged National Theatre Partner BMW Group Hungary

10 June 2019 (Mon), 7 pm 11 June 2019 (Tue), 7 pm 11 to 16 June 2019 (Tue-Sun) 18 to 22 June 2019 (Tue-Sat) OPERA HOUSE OPERA HOUSE EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – BÁNFFY STAGE ERKEL THEATRE

152 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 153 OPERA BERLIN: STRAUSS KÁLMÁNDY30 SUMMER AT THE OPERA ON MARGARET ISLAND GUEST PERFORMANCES AT THE DEUTSCHE OPER

One of the Hungarian State Opera’s beautiful traditions It has been an old dream of ours to perform the A young Transylvanian baritone sang at two perfor- The city is brimming with tourists in summer, but the takes place at Budapest’s greatest performance venue Richard Strauss repertoire we expanded by 2014 in a mances on the stage of the Hungarian State Opera in Opera is closed! Those who do not understand this are for summer performances, which used to be operated German-speaking area, in a city which had a special 1988. He passed the test, and, after a brief period in not aware of the secrets of public employment: we have by the Opera: the Margaret Island Open-Air Stage. Re- relation with the composer. That is why the visit of the chorus, he has been a member of the company to let our colleagues go on holiday and everyone leaves cently restored to its former glory in its scenic setting, the Hungarian State Opera can be interesting to them since the autumn of 1988. Mihály Kálmándy has been for a rejuvenating vacation with the family. However, the building complex today plays host to performances and instructive to us: we can test our knowledge and highly successful in the past three decades since then, many other cities (a good example in the neighbour- of the most popular operas. Performing on the largest validate our results. Of Munich, Leipzig, Dresden and beginning with an excellent rendition of Jochanaan in hood is Munich, not to mention Salzburg) manage stage in the capital in front of three thousand people is Berlin, it is the latter, the capital city, that expressed and Salome, which remained on the programme until 2018. to solve this problem – we have decided to tackle this a huge responsibility, but we undertake it gladly, year interest, and thus the guest performances of our two Being a decisive artist of the Opera, we will celebrate problem by changing the schedule of the season and after year. productions will take place at the Deutsche Oper, which him as a Chamber Artist Singer after the Rigoletto finding a suitable piece and production. From now on, was opened in 1961 with Hungarian conductor Ferenc performance in which he will be singing the title role, we will perform a single opera at weekends in July, alto- Rossini Il barbiere di Siviglia (see page 64) Fricsay, who had worked at our Opera House previous- and the special curtain call might reveal some hidden gether nine times in the summer of 2019, with selected 21, 23 June 2019 (Fri, Sun), 9 pm ly, giving the cue. Our two productions will be a kind of encores. soloists and premium prices – at the modernised and Rain dates: 24,25 (Mon-Tue) a bonus to their season, one requiring the smallest, the air-conditioned Opera House. other requiring the largest number of people. Verdi Rigoletto (see page 67) Mozart Le nozze di Figaro (see page 35) Verdi Rigoletto (see page 67) 28, 30 June 2019 (Fri, Sun), 8 pm R. Strauss Ariadne auf Naxos (see page 64) Rain dates: 1, 2 July (Mon, Tue) R. Strauss Die Frau ohne Schatten (see page 66)

Conductors Balázs Kocsár, István Dénes

Il barbiere di Siviglia and Le nozze di Figaro are events organised by the Open-Air Theatre.

21, 23 June 2019 (Fri, Sun), 28, 30 July (Fri, Sun) 6, 7 July 2019 (Sat, Sun), 7 pm and 6 pm 12 July 2019 (Fri), 7 pm 12–28 July 2019 (Fri–Sun), 7 pm MARGARET ISLAND OPEN-AIR THEATRE DEUTSCHE OPER, BERLIN OPERA HOUSE OPERA HOUSE

154 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 155 OPERAFÜRED TOUR D’OPERA OPERASZIGET SALOME IN MACHAERUS

Among the most majestic events of the Hungarian An excellent initiative at Lake Tisza! When high- Day after day, and with unflagging enthusiasm, we The first Christian saint was beheaded by Herod An- social calendar and with an unbroken history stretching quality culture and the love of movement and nature must struggle on every front to popularise opera and tipas, also known as the Tetrarch, on his daughter back nearly 200 years, the Anna Ball held in Balaton- meet: a cycle tour around the lake, sailing yoga at the ballet and put paid to preconceptions. This is one of the Salome’s birthday. Mount Machaerus, located in today’s füred owes its success in part to the contributions of lakeside, jogging amidst nature, and all this with clas- reasons why the singers of the Hungarian State Opera Jordan, rises over the Dead Sea opposite Jerusalem. the Hungarian State Opera. We have found a location sical musical accompaniment. The festival offers an must make their stand at the largest summer event The mountain is bare. Professor Győző Vörös and the for a summertime gala night on Balatonfüred’s Gyógy exclusive experience to the participants as they can see in Europe, the Sziget Festival. This will not be our first Hungarian Academy of Arts were granted a concession Square, which will no doubt prove a worthy venue for well-known artists not in their usual environment on visit, and as usual we will achieve no little success with to make excavations there for 20 years – because the the popularisation of opera in the dignified setting that an artificial set, but with the beautiful background pro- our choice of popular arias and duets – mellow material palace where this sensuous and gruesome feast took the genre deserves. This is now our Waldbühne! This vided by Lake Tisza. The programme is organised this for a mellow place. place once stood on the mountain. At the request of year, the chorus will be giving a choral concert, there year for the fourth time with excellent singers of the the Jordanian partner and based on ideas and designs will be an opera gala with an orchestra, the ballet will Hungarian State Opera. The audience can meet many Featuring Géza Köteles, artists of the Hungarian State Opera of Professor Vörös, Artistic Director Ferenc Anger and be dancing in the ball garden of the Anna Grand Hotel, of them during the three-day event. Orchestra (Sziget Chamber Orchestra), Orsolya Hajnalka Rőser, his team will stage Salome in its original setting – not and the film of the La bohème 2.0 production will be Bori Keszei, Beatrix Fodor, Eszter Zavaros, Péter Balczó, exactly on the mountain, but quite close by – as soon as screened as part of the OperaCinema programme. Director András Aczél Gergely Boncsér the financial conditions are met. The weather is hot and dry in late August, and the full moon ascends above the 25 July (Thu), 8 pm – Choral Gala info www.operaofthenature.com Director András Aczél Dead Sea just as it did then, two thousand years ago…

Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Chorus R. Strauss Salome (see page 67) Conductor Gábor Csiki

26 July (Fri), 8 pm – Orchestral Opera Gala

Soloists Kinga Kriszta, István Horváth, Csaba Szegedi Featuring the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra Conductor Balázs Kocsár

27 July (Sat), 8 pm – Anna Ball, Palotás

Choreographer Csaba Sebestyén Featuring the Hungarian National Ballet Choreographer Karina Sarkissova

28 July (Sun), 8 pm – OperaCinema, La bohème 2.0

The OperaFüred programme is an event series organised by the Government of Balatonfüred.

25–28 July 2018 (Thu-Sun) 28 to 30 July 2019 (Sun-Tue) August 2019 late August 2019 BALATONFÜRED – GYÓGY SQUARE LAKE TISZA SZIGET FESTIVAL – CLASSICAL, OPERA AND JAZZ STAGE JORDAN - MACHAERUS

156 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 157 OPERA ON WHEELS I – PARK INAUGURATION CENTRAL TRANSYLVANIA, BANAT AND PARTIUM

Every Hungarian has both the need and the right to feel that they belong to a nation. This is especially When the designs for the Eiffel Art Studios were being important for those who must preserve their national drawn up, we happily examined the ways to have green identity in different country and cultural environ- spaces take the place of so many demolished ruins. ment as a result of a historical events. The aim of this Three hectares in the centre of Budapest and a large project is to present open-air performances in every industrial (now cultural!) centre! Perfect for spending region of the neighbouring countries primarily for intermissions close to nature, taking in some fresh air the Hungarian communities living there, but also, after rehearsals, waiting for children at music lessons, since art is for everyone, with members of the local playing on the swing with the younger ones – and ethnic majority population welcome as well. The First even holding special performances (as we will see on Carpathian Homeland Tour of 2017/18 provided a this evening, when the garden act of Poppea will be special opportunity for both the audiences – totalling played outside), planting rows of grapevines and grow- 30,000 in number – and the members of the Opera’s ing roses. The Eiffel Art Studios, the only green space company. We travelled around seven neighbouring among the Opera’s properties will be all this, and we countries and it meant a great deal to us too to perform believe, much more. With the inauguration, the only before our fellow Hungarians in remote sports halls. major development project by the largest cultural insti- We will be continuing this endeavour with our Opera tution of the country since 1984, the Eiffel project will on Wheels programme: our special lorry that can be come to an end. converted into a stage can drive to the main square of any small community, and we can please the audience seated around us with our brand-new Italian opera Monteverdi L’incoronazione di Poppea (excerpts, see page 26) production sung in Hungarian (with Romanian Litkai / Boldoghy The Bass Player (premiere) (director: András Aczél) surtitles) – now in the open air and free of charge! To follow the first phase in the Székely Land last autumn, Soloist Péter Boldoghy Kummert (double bass) it is now time to visit the other areas with a Hungarian population across the Romanian border. Partner BMW Group Hungary

Donizetti L’elisir d’amore Director Attila Toronykőy (see page 12)

Conductor Ádám Cser

Destinations Kolozsvár (Cluj-Napoca), Torockó (Rimetea), Nagyszeben (Sibiu), Brassó (Brașov), Temesvár (Timișoara), Arad, Déva (Deva), Nagyszalonta (Salonta), Nagyvárad (Oradea)

Sponsor the Government of Hungary

1 September 2019 (Sun) 31 August (Sat) – 9 September (Mon) 2019 EIFFEL ART STUDIOS – PALLÓ PARK

158 CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR 18-19 SPECIAL EVENTS 159 OPERABONUS

160 CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS 161 NAME THAT TUNE OPERA CAFÉ MAGAZINE OPERA BOX DAILY OPERA Ten Minutes of Quiz and Opera The Television Journal Summer Portraits Musical Calendar

All Hungarians remember the iconic radio series, Since 1 October 2016, the Hungarian State Opera The summer series of OperaCafé programmes pays Each morning and evening since 1 October 2016, the quiz programme conceived by György Czigány has broadcast a weekly magazine on the M5 cultural tribute to the Eternal Members of the Hungarian State a one-minute-long programme that serves as a that educated the whole country on a daily basis. channel. The programmes, and deliberately Opera: each year, while the theatre world is on its sum- calendar of the history of the Hungarian State Opera Well, since 1 October 2016, the operatic revival of the designed to be youthful and fast-paced, with polished mer break, it will feature ten portraits of some of the and operatic and ballet history in general has been old series has been resumed on public media’s new photography, take a look at the performances for most important personalities from the institution’s broadcast by Kossuth Radio, Hungary’s most popular cultural television channel and on Bartók Radio. We the given week and the rehearsal process of the recent past. The 26-minute portraits will debut on the radio station. The series is followed by hundreds of work with a special weekly guest, a current or former productions in progress while also introducing the M5 cultural television channel, and will later appear on thousands of listeners. The music, based on the motif artist of our theatre, who tests his or her lexical and most important Hungarian artists of our times commercial and local television channels too. of Bánk’s aria, was composed by Róbert Gulya and musical knowledge, embedded in a five-part interview, through mini-portraits and presenting the plot , as played by the Opera’s orchestra under the baton of so that the students from a class involved in the well as other features of a single work each week. Summer 2018 Géza Köteles. Szilveszter Ókovács writes and presents OperAdventure programme can get to see an opera or OperaCafé is meant to be simultaneously both a the text for the 365 episodes. ballet performance at the Erkel Theatre. The game still multimedia edition of the printed Opera Magazine Katalin Hágai remains a game, of course, but the prize is serious, and and its own new platform, taking advantages of Katalin Kasza Sound engineer Ferenc Kondás so is the venue: the renowned Bertalan Székely Hall at opportunities to be even bolder, with the televised Ildikó Kaszás Producer Zoltán Amin the Opera House. The programmes are broadcast by material also increasingly appearing on social media. Gábor Keveházi Bartók Radio each weekday. Gyöngyi Lukács Presenter Noémi Morvai (MTVA) Lajos Miller Partners Optimum Solution Enterprise, MTVA Presenters bi-weekly Szilvia Becze and Szilveszter Ókovács Editor-in-chief Kata Ruttner András Molnár Reporter Violett Dóczi Adél Orosz Quizzes prepared by Dániel Mona Producer Zoltán Amin Ilona Tokody Partner MTVA Mária Uzoni Partner MTVA Partner Optimum Solution Enterprise, MTVA, ATV Interviewers Aleszja Popova (ballet), Szilveszter Ókovács (opera)

162 CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS 163 OPERA CINEMA ONLINE OPERA A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience – again The Media Of The 3rd Millennium

As a result of the cooperation between the Hungarian 20. Wagner Der fliegende Holländer (2013) 60. Rossini L’italiana in Algeri (2017) In 2016, we exceeded 1600 subscribers on our YouTube State Opera and the M5 cultural television channel, 21. Divas on the Catwalk (2012) 61. Humperdinck Hänsel und Gretel (2017) channel, registering 380,000 views, with our videos there has been a television broadcast of an opera or 22. Gyula Orendt’s Song Recital (2016) 62. Giordano Andrea Chénier (2017) running for a total of almost half a million minutes, ballet performance, or an opera or ballet film, opera/ 23. Háry Night – with Benedikt and D’Arcangelo (2017) 63. Verdi Nabucco (2017) which included more than 150,000 views of our image ballet gala or sometimes a concert by the Opera’s 24. Silver Rose Ball – with Vesselina Kassarova (2014) 64. Donizetti L’elisir d’amore (2017) video alone. The number of “likes” on our Facebook ensembles on every Monday evening since 19 25. Shakespeare Gala – with Plácido Domingo (2016) 65. New Year’s at the Opera (2018) page has exceeded 55,000 this year – the fan page September 2016. Our institution helps the work of 26. Faust Ball – with Angela Gheorghiu (2015) 66. Weber Oberon (2018) launched in 2011 took off with astonishing speed, MTVA with 22 to 24 professional on-site recordings 27. Marton70 – jubilee gala with Éva Marton and Jonas Kaufmann (2013) 67. George Gershwin Porgy and Bess (2018) similarly to our official website (www.opera.hu) revamped every year, and the television channels of the public 28. Stravinsky The Rake’s Progress (2016) 68. Verdi Otello (2018) in 2014. The number of followers of our pages on media record six to eight performances a year (with 29. Vivaldi Farnace (2015) 69. Strauss Die Frau ohne Schatten (2018) new social media platforms launched in the 2015/16 Bartók Radio recording audio material in another 15 to 30. Wagner Das Rheingold (2015) 70. Puccini Turandot (2018) season – Twitter, primarily to address our visitors 20 instances). The Opera’s own recordings will also be 31. Wagner Die Walküre (2016) 71. Verdi Simon Boccanegra (2018) from abroad, and our Instagram account for sharing broadcast on the ATV and Echo TV channels later on. 32. Dohnányi Der Tenor (2015) 72. Offenbach Die Rheinnixen (2018) images – exceeds 2400. These interfaces will provide 33. Bartók Bluebeard’s Castle / Vajda Mario and the Magician (2013) 73. Gyöngyi Lukács30 – jubilee gala at the Erkel Theatre (2018) enquirers with a look behind the scenes of the Opera Producer Szilveszter Ókovács 34. Rost25 – jubilee gala at the Erkel Theatre (2014) 74. Zaharov / Asafiev The Fountain of Bakhchisarai (2018) in addition to an official source of information. One of 35. Gounod Faust (2015) 75. Eifmann / Rachmaninoff / Mussorgsky / Wagner The Karamazovs (2018) most important Google Streetview projects in Hungary 36. Verdi Otello (2015) 76. Wagner Götterdämmerung (2018) in 2014 was to render the interior of the opera house: 37. Hour of Stars – award ceremony gala at the Opera House (2015) 77. Bartók Bluebeard’s Castle (2018) the platform now offers an excellent virtual tour of SCHEDULE FOR TELEVISION BROADCASTS IN 38. Hour of Stars – award ceremony gala at the Opera House (2013) 78. Madarász Prologue / Bartók Bluebeard’s Castle (2018) the building. In 2015, via Google Art, high resolution 2016/2017/2018 39. Rameau Hippolyte et Aricie (2013) 79. Vajda Barbie Blue / Bartók Bluebeard’s Castle (2018) photos appeared on the internet as free content. If you 40. New Year’s at the Opera (2013) 80. Eötvös Vértelenül (Senza sangue) / have ever wanted to examine Károly Lotz’s secco on the 1. Purcell The Fairy Queen (2016) 41. Strauss Ariadne auf Naxos (2013) Bartók Bluebeard’s Castle (2018) ceiling at close quarters with a magnifying glass, now 2. Mascagni Cavalleria rusticana / Leoncavallo Pagliacci (2014) 42. BFTZ160 (2013) 81. GermanLateNight (Hindemith-művek, 2018) you have the opportunity to do so. 3. Simándy100 – tenor gala (2016) 43. ErkelFest (2013) 82. Bach Secular Cantatas (2018) 4. Verdi La traviata (2016) 44. Selmeczi Spiritisti (2014) 83. Verdi Un ballo in maschera (2018) www.opera.hu 5. Hour of Stars – award ceremony gala at the Opera House (2016) 45. Hynd–Lehár The Merry Widow (2014) 84. Ring Gala – with Aleksandra Kurzak and Roberto Alagna (2018) 6. Constitution Gala (2012) 46. Mozart–Lackfi The Magic Flute for Children (2014) 85. Harangozó Jr. Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs (2018) 7. In memoriam ’56 – opera gala at the Headquarters of the UN in New York (2016) 47. Bizet Carmen (2014) 8. Erkel Hunyadi László (2012) 48. Tallér Leander and Linseed (2015) 9. Cziffra56 – historical concert reprise at the Erkel Theatre (2016) 49. Goldmark Die Königin von Saba (2015) 10. Rautavaara The Mine / Varga Love (2016) 50. Weber Der Freischütz (2016) 11. Puccini La bohème 2.0 (2016) 51. Verdi Falstaff (2013) 12. Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor (2016) 52. Mozart Così fan tutte (2014) 13. Messerer / Minkus Don Quixote (2016) 53. Wagner Siegfried (2017) 14. Miklósa25 – jubilee opera gala at the Erkel Theatre (2016) 54. Kodály The Spinning Room (2016) 15. Van Dantzig / Tchaikovsky Swan Lake (2015) 55. Erkel Bánk Bán (2017) 16. Beatles50 – symphonic rarities from the Opera House (2012) 56. Mozart Figaro 2.0 (2017) 17. Reimann Lear (2016) 57. Opera134 (2017) 18. Erkel Night (2012) 58. Meyerbeer Les Huguenots (2017) 19. Strauss Die Frau ohne Schatten (2014) 59. Tokody40 – jubilee gala at the Opera House (2017)

164 CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS 165 OPERA DIGI THECA OPERACADEMY ORCHESTRA ACADEMY OPERA ON WHEELS The Opera House’s History, from your own Home Accredited Further Training for Teachers The Antechamber to Opera Membership Sometimes the Mountain Must Go…

While the concept of the exhibition and demonstration The Opera House feels an intense sense of As early as the 2015/16 Faust Season, the Opera After the Second World War, the artists of the opera area of the Memorial Collection will soon be finished responsibility to those teachers who have found their decided to take into its own hands the training of resumed their activity with Don Pasquale – and three as part of the refurbishment of the Opera House, the calling in public education here in Hungary, so it those fine musicians who are thinking about a career years ago we resumed ours with the same production. archiving process of the objects related to the history provides them with an opportunity to complete 30 with Hungary’s oldest philharmonic orchestra (which After several decades, Opera on Wheels returned to of the institution continues: the material in the Opera hours of accredited further training. The programme performs both theatrical productions and symphonic the road in 2014! The aim of the programme series is Digi Theca is growing daily. More than 40,000 first provides participants with a thorough working concerts). After having their applications accepted and for a production to appear in theatre auditoriums of performances, 5000 artists’ biographies, and almost knowledge of a theatre’s daily operations, and then auditioning, 8-12 musicians will be able to take part Hungarian cities where no opera company operates, 4000 photos, set and costume designs can now be leads them into the world of opera and ballet, all in a in the two-year training course under the guidance of but where the theatre’s attributes (orchestra pit, wire researched thanks to the work of collection manager series of colourful, inspiring, and, at the same time, the Opera, with a personal mentor assigned to assist system, lighting, acoustics, etc.) make it suitable for Márton Karczag and museologist Nóra Wellman. enjoyable sessions – in the unconcealed hope that, as with the education of the given instrumental part. chamber opera productions. The travellers are on a a result of their experiences, the teachers will be able The students will also be invited to play at various mission: to popularise the Opera’s productions and By summer 2018, it will be possible to research the to transmit their new knowledge and enthusiasm to special performances, as well as participate in section the genre of opera, in Hungarian. It’s not a simplified entire opera repertoire of the institution’s first 130 their students, thus ensuring the continued success of rehearsals and other professional activities. They can version of a repertoire piece that the Opera is sending years – the period from 1884 to 2014 - in the ever- OperAdventure. also receive a scholarship for the duration of their forth, but a production created specifically for this expanding Opera Digi Theca. studies. purpose, and that takes account in every respect of the The further training includes observing two capabilities of the theatre and desires of the audience performances and the teachers will then receive The vocational director of the Orchestra Academy is by delivering fresh, youthful, and inspiring ideas and theoretical and practical training, which includes the principal music director of the Opera. artistically devised technical solutions. both plenary and group sessions. Also included are discussion forums, workshops and rehearsal visits, Partner Liszt Academy of Music The production of Don Pasquale developed for the Opera a presentation on music history, advice on planning on Wheels programme by Csaba Káel was so successful cultural programmes, a tour of the building, and info [email protected] that we brought it to the Erkel Theatre, while in 2015 personal meetings with artists, producers and theatre and 2016 we continued the series around Hungary and professionals. This year, as previously, the most outside of its borders with a bold, new and humorous important presentations will be delivered by the production: Figaro 2.0, with a libretto rewritten by its Opera’s managers. director, András Hábetler. While Figaro also made his way around the country last season, this year it will be The sessions are held at the Erkel Theatre. L’elisir d’amore that will visit every theatre in the country equipped with an orchestra pit – up to 10 times in the Programme manager Dr. Noémi Kiszely course of the season.

info [email protected] Donizetti L’elisir d’amore (see page 12)

Coordinator Dr Noémi Kiszely

info www.opera.hu

166 CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS 167 BMW OPERA CLUB FRIENDS OF THE OPERA OPERADIO TOTAL ARTIST Patrons, Advocates, Sponsors, Partners The Most Faithful Easy Listening Exchanging Ideas at the Table of Miklós Bánffy

The Association of Friends of the Opera is a special Today’s rich selection of radio stations was lacking one There are many secrets hidden in the former office in Opera Houses, wherever they may be, are among the organisation with a membership that spans the that exclusively broadcasts operatic and ballet music. the Opera House of the great nobleman Miklós Bánffy, world’s most expensive cultural institutions to finance globe. At the centre of their interest is a unique Since January 2016, through this virtual channel, the last of Hungary’s great polymaths. To sit there and (with the exception of the film industry, although this and extraordinarily complex world which for many we have been sending news from our institution out share experiences and ideas with representatives of generates enormous revenues internationally). So people is incomprehensible and strange. But these to cyberspace, with records and our own recordings, all of the other disciplines of the arts and to frankly the time has come for our Opera to be surrounded by friends of the opera adore this incomparably regal as well as – on special occasions – broadcasts of discuss matters of great importance would be a a circle of supporters worthy of its glorious 133-year and theatrical genre. Across the world, they gather performances from the Opera House and the Erkel truly remarkable opportunity. We are planning a history, and this exclusive club will also henceforth in groups in order that they might not only enjoy the Theatre. Our plans include having tapes of the Opera’s late-evening weekly round-up to include a relatively have its own permanent location. object of their passion, but support it as well. Because productions made by Hungarian Radio digitised and stable group of guests, with leaders and artists from the opera and the ballet are truly royal genres that released, as well as to share discs featuring our artists important Hungarian institutions placing their own We invite the Club’s members to become strategic depend on the kings of today, that is, the support of the recorded by Hungaroton and other record companies. unique and artistic imprint on the passing time. Total partners. The Opera provides access and networking state and society. Without this support, they cannot Artist will be a presentation by five artists. opportunities to A-list managers, allowing our survive. But this support more than pays for itself Chief Editor Dávid Zsoldos partners to meet potential clients and take advantage with fine performances. We welcome both lovers of Host Szilveszter Ókovács, general director of exclusive services and other benefits of club opera and ballet and those people who are ready to www.opera.hu/radio Producer Zoltán Amin membership. The operation of the OperaClub, which support us with their generosity! In our case, it is not received 1.5 billion forints in donations in 2017, is the association that supports the institution, but it is Partner Optimum Solution Enterprise, Echo TV made possible by large-scale sponsorship from BMW. the latter that provides special discounts to members This year our goal is to collect 1.1 billion forints. because of their special relationship with it. We encourage you to apply for one of the limited number Opera Club manager Melitta Gyüdi ([email protected]) of memberships in the association.

Our partner BMW Group Hungary Miklós Szinetár Director and Professor Emeritus President of the Budapest Association of Friends of the Opera Honorary General Director of the Hungarian State Opera

Szilvia Gémes Opera singer, General Secretary of the Budapest Association of Friends of the Opera

Contact: Customer service in person and by telephone Rózsavölgy Salon and Music Shop box office, Mondays only, noon – 3 pm Postal address, office 1052 Budapest, Szervita tér 5. Telephone (+36 30) 320 1585 (your call will be answered during opening hours, otherwise you will be asked to leave a message) Programme information (+36 30) 877 5540 (24h availability) E-mail [email protected]

www.operabaratok.hu

168 CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS 169 OPERA VAULT OPERA VAULT Archiving the Past, Saving the Present CD Collection for Public Libraries and Private Collectors

RELEASES

Shortly after the change in regime in Hungary in CDs and DVDs Books On the occasion of Hungarian Opera Day in 2017, 1989, the once-vibrant flame of the domestic record the Hungarian State Opera released a unique industry all but flickered out and the recording of Erkel Bánk Bán (original version, 3 CDs) Ferenc László Opera130 CD collection, which brings together the great operas, which requires unusually extensive resources, Erkel Hunyadi László (original version, 2 CDs) Géza Fodor Mi szól a lemezen? (What’s on the record? book trilogy) performances of 200 years of Hungarian opera fell by the wayside. It is not so much the lack of the Útravaló (For the Road) 2013 (1 CD) Ferenc Fricsay–Márton Karczag–Szilveszter Ókovács Fricsay100 culture. The release entitled Magyar Opera200 23rd recording of Tosca that is so painful, since Ella Fitzgerald (live, archive, 1 CD) Márton Karczag A magyar Failoni (The Hungarian Failoni) was distributed to municipal libraries and music this is not terribly important from an international Kodály Háry János (2 CDs) Márton Karczag–Ferenc János Szabó Megfelelő ember a megfelelő institutions around the country. The first to receive perspective, but rather the fact that we are deprived Mária Gyurkovics100 (archive, 1 CD) helyen – Radnai Miklós (The right man in the right place – Miklós Radnai) the gift of this important collection was the National of recordings of the important Hungarian works of Filharmónia (1 CD) Széchényi Library, after which the Opera management the past 30 years, and an entire generation of artists Filharmónia (1 CD) visited the country’s smallest municipal library in has also been almost entirely robbed of the chance Útravaló (For the Road) 2014 (1 CD) Works in progress: Pálháza to hand over the CD collection. to achieve some measure of immortality via sound Erkel102 (live, archive, 2 CDs) recordings. The Opera Vault brand, launched in 2011, Opera130 (DVD) Márton Karczag Dr. Tóth Aladár életműve The 50+3 discs of the box set contain 35 selected aims to end both deficiencies. The Opera, thanks to Erkel Hunyadi László – excerpts (original version, 1 CD) (The life’s work of Dr. Aladár Tóth) operatic works, the purpose of which, in addition to its incredible artistic talent pool, has agreed each year Fricsay100 (1 CD) introducing and popularising our opera literature, is to to record and release an entire Hungarian opus in a Útravaló (For the Road) 2015 (DVD) encourage music fans among the public to listen to the series of its own while simultaneously producing the Dohnányi Der Tenor (2 CDs) works regularly and return to them from time to time. work itself on stage. We will make a live recording of Erkel Dózsa György – excerpts (live, 1 CD) Volumes of the Eternal Members of the Opera series released to date: The box also contains information on each individual another Hungarian opera as a concert performance Donizetti Anna Bolena (archive, 2 CDs) opera on the CDs, including an introduction and and another as a live staged production, release one of BPO live – Mahler I (live, 1 CD) Ákos Csúri Megszólal a néma pálca (The silent baton speaks) synopsis to aid understanding. our archived radio materials and issue a memorable Útravaló (For the Road) 2016 (DVD) – conversations with Ádám Medveczky collection of recordings of an artist and a volume Shakespeare Gala with Plácido Domingo (DVD) Márton Karczag–Nóra Wellmann Simándy József arcai Sándor Balassa The Man Outside about the history of the institution. Our latest three- Goldmark Die Königin von Saba – excerpts (live, CD) (The faces of József Simándy) Béla Bartók Bluebeard’s Castle year undertaking is to conduct interviews with the Erkel Hunyadi László – excerpts (archive, CD) Zsuzsanna Réfi Lélekhangon (The sound of the soul) Máté Bella Spring Awakening Eternal Members, in which the members of the “living György Cziffra (archive, 1 CD) – conversations with Ilona Tokody Attila Bozay Attila The Last Five Scenes pantheon” will discuss their careers and help us select Útravaló (For the Road) 2017 (1 CD) Ferenc László A nagyvadak érdekelnek (The big game sing) József Czanyuga–György Orbán Prince Pikkó photos for the 30 publications we will be compiling; Wolf Mörike-Lieder (live, archive, 1 CD) – conversations with Miklós Szinetár Zsolt Durkó Moses we will also publish illustrated books about each of Udvardy100 (archive, CD) Lippe Angelika Nyílegyenesen (Straight as an arrow) – the career of Éva Andor Ernő Dohnányi Der Tenor the departed Eternal Members, with reviews and Kodály The Spinning Room (1 CD) Péter Eötvös Love and Other Demons biographies. Simándy100 (live, archive, 1 CD) Ferenc Erkel Bátori Mária (excerpts) Verdi La forza del destino (live, archive, 3 CDs) Volumes on the following artists are in progress: Ferenc Erkel Hunyadi László (original version) All the publications listed below are available for sale at Útravaló (For the Road) 2018 (1 CD) Ferenc Erkel Bánk Bán (original version) the OperaShop at the Opera House (at the Dalszínház MagyarOpera200 (box, 53 CDs) Lilla Pártay Ferenc Erkel Dózsa György (excerpts) Street entrance), in the Bartók Hall of the Erkel Mária Sudlik (1 CD) Sándor Sólyom-Nagy Ferenc Erkel King Stephen Theatre prior to and during performances, and online Opera133 (DVD) Veronika Kincses Gyula Fekete The Saved City from the Opera’s webshop. István Berczelly Károly Goldmark Die Königin von Saba (excerpts) András Mihály Samu Gryllus Two Women András Molnár Levente Gyöngyösi The Stork Calif Imre Dózsa Zoltán Kodály Háry János Attila Csikós Zoltán Kodály The Spinning Room

170 CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS 171 Zoltán Kodály Canticum Rákóczianum – Panna Cinka OPERA EXHIBITION OPERA MAGAZINE OPERA YEARBOOK László Lajtha–Ferenc Farkas The Blue Hat Exhibitions 2018/2019 Where the News Unfolds Record the Past György Ligeti Le grand macabre Iván Madarász The Last Waltz Péter Gábor Mezei Opposite the Catafalque Emil Petrovics C’est la guerre ERKEL THEATRE – Foyer In the past, the biggest Hungarian cultural The Opera seeks to reinstate the century-long tradition Emil Petrovics Lysistraté Puccini160 (1 December 2018 – the end of the season) institution’s primary use for its own magazine was of publishing yearbooks for each season, and at the same György Ránki King Pomádé’s New Clothes to offer its partners and supporters an exclusive time to revamp the format. This is why it is releasing, in József Ruzitska –József Heinisch Béla’s Flight OPERA HOUSE – Red Salon advertising platform – and also to provide some limited numbers, a series of album books comprising György Selmeczi Spiritisti Puccini at the Opera (17 May 2019 – the end of the season) information to fans. The bi-monthly periodical illustrated reports of not only the most recent season, Árpád Solti La Violetta summoned into life six years ago in 2012 has taken on but also the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 seasons. The Sándor Szokolay Hamlet a good bit more of a challenge than that. By keeping publication includes the five Opera Magazines appearing Erzsébet Szőnyi A makrancos királylány commercial considerations at arm’s length, it has during that season, the season’s Programme Calendar, Zsófia Tallér Leander and Linseed aspired to be a cultural magazine of quality and and the separately produced inserts. The freshly printed János Vajda Mario and the Magician profundity that is worthy of the entire range of the summaries of the year’s events are released at the time Judit Varga Szerelem OPERA SHOP Opera House’s programmes, as it seeks to be much of the company’s general meeting at the opening of the Overtures (Beischer-Matyó, Tallér, Varga, Madarász, Karosi) The Largest Opera Store in Hungary more than simply an opera magazine. season. Collectors can purchase or order the print version Johann Strauss Jr. Der Zigeunerbaron (excerpts) of the volume at the Opera Shop. Opera133 Issues September – November – January – March – May

The 133-year-old Opera House’s former ticket office on Dalszínház Street is now the home of a record shop with the largest opera and ballet music selection in Hungary, OPERA VAULT with CDs, DVDs, vinyl and gramophone records not only Works in Progress available for purchase, but also to listen to in store. Not to mention that this will be the only place in the world where you can purchase those special souvenirs and mementos that are unique to the Opera, for example, the Erkel Bátori Mária – excerpts (live, 1 CD) Opera’s carefully selected drinks assortment and all of Monteverdi L’incoronazione di Poppea (live, archive, 2 CDs) our publications, including records, books, programmes, Dés A Streetcar Named Desire – excerpts (1 CD) posters, yearbooks and photos with autographs, as well Erkel Bánk Bán – excerpts, in Italian (live, 1 CD) as attractive and practical accessories, including jewellery Liszt Don Sanche (1 CD) and opera glasses. Product development and production Erkel Erzsébet (live, 1 CD) is continuous. Gyöngyösi The Master and Margarita (1 CD) Puccini La fanciulla del West (live, archive, 2 CDs) The Opera Shop will continue to be open while the Opera Poldini Wedding in Carnival Time (2017, studio recording, 2 CDs) House is being renovated, and our products will also be Ránki The Tragedy of Man (1970, archive recording, live, 2 CDs) available for purchase in the 2018/19 season in the Bartók Kenessey The Gold and the Woman (2018, live, 1 CD) Hall at the Erkel Theatre. Opening hours will be depend Duke Ellington at the Erkel Theatre (1971, archive, 1 CD) on the times of the performances. The other good news Oscar Peterson at the Erkel Theatre (1972, archive, 1 CD) is that our webshop will be launched in 2018, so you will also be able to order our gift items online.

Opening hours: Every day between 10 am and 8 pm

172 CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS 173 YOU SHALL GO TO THE ÚTR AVALÓ OPEN DAYS OPERA CAFÉ BALL! (FOR THE ROAD) 2019 With Open Hearts and Minds Sitting Down with Total Art Because at the Ball, Clothes do Make the Person Music for Babies and Mothers

The theatre world is full of mysteries, and the reality Even while the Opera House is being renovated, behind the illusion is known only to a few. We have there is no need to do without the finest cakes and The Opera House takes pride in not only its own On 1 January 2013, the General Director of the numerous children’s programmes built on this refreshments. In this transition period, visitors can ball, but also in those of others. That’s why it gives Hungarian State Opera presented to the first child premise: this one, however, is aimed at adults. During choose from a fantastic selection at the Erkel Theatre (primarily) high school students and non-profit born in Hungary in the New Year the first copy of the the course of the event, visitors will get a glimpse of when performances and events are being held. When organisations – on a first-come, first-served basis and Útravaló (For the Road) CD, which was also received by the many secrets of the musical theatre, and gain a the Ybl palace on Andrássy út reopens its doors, those between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, 6 January and the family of every Hungarian new-born (whether in deeper understanding of the magic of performance meeting with friends and taking in performances can 6 March 2019 – the chance to borrow costumes from Hungary or abroad) in the so-called Promobox package. and the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. return to the café in the Opera House’s former box our collection of 400,000. These pieces, no longer The programme has been a huge success to date and is office on Hajós utca, which has been serving coffee used but kept in storage, might still be serviceable for set to continue. The recording, reproduced in 80,000 1 October 2018 International Music Day and cakes since autumn 2015 and showcases paintings the occasional ball, simply to be worn or just used as copies, will be followed by a new edition featuring brand 29 April 2019 International Dance Day of the Opera’s Eternal Members of the past 100 years decoration or for a photo opportunity. The Opera does new recordings from the ensembles and soloists of the on its interior corridor. not charge a rental fee, only a preparation fee to cover Opera. www.opera.hu expenses (Ft 2,750 per costume for cleaning), but it Partner Zsidai Gastronomy does request of the given institution or organisation While we made our selections for 2013 from among that it set up a display stand offering publications and the most popular Hungarian operas and symphonic advertising material from the Opera House at the orchestral works, the 2014 edition of Útravaló was location of the ball. composed of recent radio broadcasts of the Opera’s Philharmonic Orchestra. Útravaló 2015 was a DVD As partner to the event, the Opera House will also of the children’s opera staged at the Erkel Theatre: provide admission tickets (a box for 6 persons) to the The Magic Flute for Children. For the 2016 edition Erkel Theatre – to a performance of the Opera House’s we selected the television recording of Leander and choosing – as the grand prize for the ball’s raffle or Linseed, the fairy-tale piece commissioned by the Opera other competition. from Zsófia Tallér, and in 2017 we chose a selection of popular opera excerpts with a dedication written by clinical psychologist Dr Emőke Bagdy – who follows in From 6 January 2019 to 6 March the footsteps of Ákos Kovács, Katalin Kokas, Barnabás Kelemen and Mihály Kótai. It will be the turn of the info [email protected] Opera Chorus in 2019, when the musical material will be selected from celebrated opera choruses.

Partners Promobox Kft., Ministry for Foreign Affairs

174 CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS 175 OPERA VISIT OUR HEROES AND OUR HEROES AND THE OPERA’S Tours of the Opera in Seven Languages HEROINES HEROINES AMBASSADORS Eternal Members and Master Artists Deceased Eternal Members Service and Personal Example

Tours of the Opera House building, built 134 years It is the Eternal Members of the Hungarian State Deceased Eternal Members (as at February 2018) Karola Ágai, In autumn of 2013, the Hungarian State Opera ago by Miklós Ybl, whose 204th anniversary is currently Opera themselves, alternately with the institution’s Kálmán Alszeghy, Éva Andor, Ágoston Balogh, Alfonz Bartha, launched the “Opera Ambassador” programme, in being celebrated, are conducted – under a long-term General Director, who always choose, by secret ballot, Mária Basilides, Anna Báthy, Ferenc Begányi, András Békés, which it dispatches to all parts of Hungary those contract signed in 2009 – by an outside company. new “eternals”. Those eternal members who receive Zsolt Bende, György Bordás, Bella Bordy, Mária Budanovits, artists who have found their calling in, and who know Guided tours in English, Spanish, Italian and French the Kossuth Prize and reach an age prescribed by Attila Csikós, Andor Dárday, Rózsi Delly, Erzsébet Dénes, and love the genre and the Opera House, to introduce depart every day at 3 pm and 4 pm, with German, government decree then become Master Artists. The Gabriella Déry, Miklós Erdélyi, Sándor Erkel, András Faragó, young people to this marvellous art form. The aim of Japanese and Hungarian-language tours on alternate Opera can currently boast 20 Master Artists, all of Sándor Farkas, János Ferencsik, János Fodor, József Forgách, the programme is to help inculcate a young generation days. Group tours in any language can be organised by whom – along with the other eternal members – the Gábor Forray, Viktor Fülöp, Zoltán Fülöp, Mária Gyurkovics, of opera-goers with a wider perspective and cultural prior arrangement. Start times and languages may vary Opera’s management invites to a dinner in their honour Gitta Halász, Irén Hamala, Gyula Harangozó, Olga Haselbeck, understanding, addressing these children and young from time to time. Discounts are available for groups each year on the Tuesday following Easter Monday. Ferenc Havas, Erzsebet Házy, Ferenc Hegedűs, Róbert Ilosfalvy, people in their own element. of children and senior citizens. The programme will be The doyen of the Eternal members is Miklós Szinetár. Lászlo Jámbor, József Járay, József Joviczky, Oszkár Kálmán, adapted while the public areas of the Opera House are Béla Karizs, János Kerekes, István Kerner, Árpád Kishegyi, The Ambassadors conduct high-quality presentations undergoing refurbishment. Valéria Koltay, Pál Komáromy, Erzsébet Komlóssy, Endre Koréh, and courses as part of sessions held either inside or Eternal members (as at March 2018) Zsuzsa Barlay, István Berczelly, András Kórodi, György Korondi, Béla Környei, István Laczó, outside regular class time, based on a schedule and For more information on opening hours and precise János Berkes, Imre Dózsa, Katalin Hágai, Magda Kalmár, Gabriella Lakatos, Éva Lehoczky, György Losonczy, Ervin Lukács, format arranged specifically for that institution, for details of the Opera Visit programme, please refer to our Katalin Kasza, Ildikó Kaszás, Péter Kelen, Gábor Keveházi, Miklós Lukács, Pál Lukács, Albert Madarassy, Rezső Máder, any level from kindergarten through to high school. continuously updtate website at www.operavisit.hu. Veronika Kincses, János Kovács, Kolos Kováts, Zsuzsa Kun, Oszkár Maleczky, Tivadar Márk, Laszló Márkus, Mária Mátyás, Our ambassadors are also happy to visit retirement Margit Lászlo, Gyöngyi Lukács, Ádám Medveczky, Lajos Miller, Anna Medek, Béla Melis, György Melis, Jacqueline Menyhárt, homes, cultural centres and nonprofit organisations, Zsuzsa Misura, András Molnár, Adél Orosz, Sándor Palcsó, Imre Mészaros, Ferenc Mihályi, András Mikó, Kálman Nádasdy, and their functions also include the nurturing of talent Lilla Pártay, Ildikó Pongor, Sándor Sólyom-Nagy, György Szakály, Ferenc Nádasi, János B. Nagy, Mária Németh, Ella Némethy, and popularising the Opera Adventure series: all this Miklós Szinetár, Ilona Tokody, Mária Uzoni, Katalin Volf. Géza Oberfrank, Gusztáv Oláh, Júlia Orosz, Júlia Osváth, in more than 1000 presentations a year. Melinda Ottrubay, Klára Palánkay, Imre Palló, Lászlo Palócz, Master Artists (as at March 2018) Imre Dózsa, Katalin Hágai, Vera Pásztor, Kálmán Pataky, József Patkó, Emil Petrovics, Our ambassadors (as at March 2018) Ákos Ambrus, Maria Ardó, Magda Kalmár, Péter Kelen, Gábor Keveházi, Veronika Kincses, László Pless, László Polgár, Miklós Radnai, Magda Raskó, Jutta Bokor, Tamás Clementis, Zsuzsanna Csonka, Erzsébet Erdélyi, János Kovács, Kolos Kováts, Zsuzsa Kun, Ádám Medveczky, Gabriella Relle, Jozsef Réti, Magda Rigó, Viktor Róna, Endre Rösler, Lászlo Haramza, Anikó Kórodi, Márta Kozák, András Laczó, Lajos Miller, András Molnár, Adél Orosz, Lilla Pártay, Zoltán Sallay, Erzsi Sándor, Judit Sándor, Sára Sebeők, Anna Pánti, Katalin Pitti, Jolán Sánta, Dr Mária Temesi, Ildikó Pongor, Sándor Sólyom-Nagy, György Szakály, László Seregi, Failoni Sergio, József Simándy, Mária Sudlik, Andrea Ujvárosi, Ferenc Valter and Attila Wendler, opera singers; Miklós Szinetár, Ilona Tokody, Katalin Volf. Sándor Svéd, Karola Szalay, Irén Szecsődi, Mihály Székely, Katalin Kőszegi, Kornélia Mráz, Edit Rujsz, Csaba Solti, György Szirb, Ferenc Székelyhidy, Ferenc Szende, Margit Szilvássy, Zoltán Várkonyi and Krisztina Végh, ballet dancers; György Szirtes, Olga Szőnyi, Paula Takács, Magda Tiszay, György Käfer, clarinetist; Mária Nagy, viola player, Aladár Tóth, Tibor Udvardy, Klotild Ugray, Nelly Vágó, Pál Varga, and Etelka Szebenyi, stage manager. Italia Vasquez, Béla Venczell, Rózsi Walter, Lívia Warga, Endre Ütő, Zoltán Závodszky. Professional director Éva Bátori, opera singer Programme manager Dr. Noémi Kiszely

info [email protected]

176 CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS CALENDAR 18-19 OPERABONUS 177 CALENDAR ERKEL CALENDAR

Date Day Time Performance Price Subscription / Notes Date Day Time Performance Price Subscription / Notes

SEPTEMBER 2018 DECEMBER 2018

1. Saturday 11 a.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical M 25. Edgar 1. Saturday 7 p.m. Puccini La fanciulla del West (premiere) P 1. Mesterdalnokok

1. Saturday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 11. Triptichon 2. Sunday 7 p.m. Mozart Die Zauberflöte A 17. Parasztbecsület

2. Sunday 11 a.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical M 30. Fecske 4. Tuesday 7 p.m. Puccini La fanciulla del West A 4. Messa di Gloria

2. Sunday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 16. Mefistofele 5. Wednesday 7 p.m. Mozart Die Zauberflöte A 21. Éjszakai repülés

3. Monday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 6. Thursday 7 p.m. Puccini La fanciulla del West A 7. Pillangókisasszony

4. Tuesday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 7. Friday 7 p.m. Mozart Die Zauberflöte A 20. Francesca da Rimini

5. Wednesday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 8. Saturday 7 p.m. Puccini La bohème A 12. Bohémek

6. Thursday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 5. Gianni Schicchi 9. Sunday 11 a.m. Puccini La fanciulla del West M 24. Krizantémok

7. Friday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 37. Turandot 9. Sunday 7 p.m. Mozart Die Zauberflöte A 16. Mefistofele

8. Saturday 11 a.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical M 27. Telefon 10. Monday 730 p.m. József Antall Memorial Concert H 38. Láng

8. Saturday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 13. Thursday 7 p.m. Puccini La fanciulla del West A 6. Bajazzók

9. Sunday 11 a.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical M 28. Cristoforo Colombo 14. Friday 7 p.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E

9. Sunday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 15. Saturday 11 a.m. Puccini La bohème M 23. Traviata

22. Saturday 7 p.m. Orff Carmina Burana (premiere) P 1. Mesterdalnokok 15. Saturday 6 p.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E 37. Turandot Private event / Opera without 23. Sunday 3 p.m. Orff Carmina Burana ZK 16. Sunday 11 a.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker ZK Private event Borders 16. Sunday 7 p.m. Puccini La fanciulla del West A 14. Gioconda 24. Monday 730 p.m. Opera135 H 38. Láng 17. Monday 7 p.m. Leoncavallo La bohème H 39. Zilah hercege OCTOBER 2018 18. kedd 11 a.m. Bohemian Christmas ZK Private event

3. Wednesday 7 p.m. Orff Carmina Burana A 3. Köpeny 18. kedd 1 p.m. Bohemian Christmas ZK Private event

4. Thursday 7 p.m. Orff Carmina Burana A 2. Föld és tenger 18. Tuesday 7 p.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E

5. Friday 7 p.m. Orff Carmina Burana A 19. Wednesday 7 p.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E

6. Saturday 7 p.m. Orff Carmina Burana A 10. Adriana Lecouvreur 20. Thursday 11 a.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker P

7. Sunday 7 p.m. Orff Carmina Burana A 15. Angelica nővér 20. Thursday 7 p.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E

21. Sunday 730 p.m. Piano Arias H 15. Angelica nővér 21. Friday 11 a.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker P

21. Friday 7 p.m. Puccini A 20. Francesca da Rimini NOVEMBER 2018 La bohème - Puccini160 22. Saturday 11 a.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker P 17. Saturday 1030 a.m. Tales of Music Folk music or classical music?

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180 CALENDAR 18-19 ERKEL THEATRE CALENDAR 18-19 ERKEL THEATRE 181 Date Day Time Performance Price Subscription / Notes Date Day Time Performance Price Subscription / Notes

22. Saturday 6 p.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E 19. Saturday 11 a.m. Lavrovsky / Adam Giselle M 26. Giselle

23. Sunday 11 a.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker P 36. Poppea 19. Saturday 7 p.m. Lavrovsky / Adam Giselle A 32. Tündérek

23. Sunday 7 p.m. Puccini La bohème A 7. Pillangókisasszony 20. Sunday 11 a.m. Lavrovsky / Adam Giselle M 40. Operabarát 24. Monday 11 a.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E 20. Sunday 7 p.m. Lavrovsky / Adam Giselle A 36. Poppea 25. Tuesday 11 a.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E 23. Wednesday 6 p.m. Meyerbeer Les Huguenots A 3. Köpeny 24. Thursday 7 p.m. Lavrovsky / Adam A 33. Manon 25. Tuesday 7 p.m. Puccini La bohème A Giselle 25. Friday 6 p.m. Meyerbeer Les Huguenots A 22. Különös baleset 26. Wednesday 11 a.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E 26. Saturday 1030 a.m. Tales of Music Conductor - Game 26. Wednesday 6 p.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E 26. Saturday 7 p.m. Lavrovsky / Adam Giselle A 37. Turandot 27. Thursday 11 a.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E 27. Sunday 11 a.m. Meyerbeer Les Huguenots M 23. Traviata 27. Thursday 7 p.m. Puccini La bohème A 27. Sunday 7 p.m. Lavrovsky / Adam Giselle A 31. Fedora 28. Friday 11 a.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E 31. Thursday 6 p.m. Meyerbeer Les Huguenots A 4. Messa di Gloria 28. Friday 6 p.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E 29. Saturday 11 a.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E FEBRUARY 2019

29. Saturday 6 p.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E 1. Friday 730 p.m. Sümegi25 H 9. Szamosi Elza 30. Sunday 11 a.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E 2. Saturday 7 p.m. Rossini L’italiana in Algeri A 11. Triptichon 30. Sunday 6 p.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E 3. Sunday 7 p.m. Rossini L’italiana in Algeri A 18. Olasz nő 31. Monday 11 a.m. Eagling / Solymosi / Tchaikovsky The Nutcracker E 5. Tuesday 7 p.m. Rossini L’italiana in Algeri A 42. Visszanéző 31. Monday 8:30 p.m. J. Strauss II Die Fledermaus E 6. Wednesday 7 p.m. Rossini L’italiana in Algeri A 43. Visszanéző 7. Thursday 7 p.m. Rossini L’italiana in Algeri A 5. Gianni Schicchi JANUARY 2019 8. Friday 7 p.m. Rossini L’italiana in Algeri A 8. Nyugat lánya 38. Láng 1. Tuesday 730 p.m. New Year’s at the Erkel H 9. Saturday 7 p.m. Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor - with Edita Gruberova P 10. Adriana Lecouvreur 2. Wednesday 7 p.m. J. Strauss II Die Fledermaus A 21. Éjszakai repülés 10. Sunday 7 p.m. Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor A 16. Mefistofele 3. Thursday 7 p.m. J. Strauss II Die Fledermaus A 29. André Chénier 13. Wednesday 7 p.m. Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor - with Edita Gruberova P 20. Francesca da Rimini 4. Friday 7 p.m. Verdi Nabucco A 14. Thursday 7 p.m. Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor A 40. Operabarát 5. Saturday 7 p.m. J. Strauss II Die Fledermaus A 10. Adriana Lecouvreur 15. Friday 7 p.m. Zakharov / Asafyev The Fountain of Bakhchisarai A 33. Manon 6. Sunday 7 p.m. Verdi Nabucco A 14. Gioconda 16. Saturday 11 a.m. Zakharov / Asafyev The Fountain of Bakhchisarai M 11. Friday 7 p.m. Verdi Nabucco A 9. Szamosi Elza 16. Saturday 7 p.m. Zakharov / Asafyev The Fountain of Bakhchisarai A 32. Tündérek

13. Sunday 11 a.m. Verdi Nabucco M 24. Krizantémok 17. Sunday 11 a.m. Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor M 23. Traviata 35. La bohème / Orvosok 17. Sunday 7 p.m. Zakharov / Asafyev The Fountain of Bakhchisarai A 31. Fedora 18. Friday 7 p.m. Lavrovsky / Adam Giselle A Operája

Gala, special event Concert Childrens’ programme Gala, special event Concert Childrens’ programme Opera Ballet Musical Opera Ballet Musical

182 CALENDAR 18-19 ERKEL THEATRE CALENDAR 18-19 ERKEL THEATRE 183 Date Day Time Performance Price Subscription / Notes Date Day Time Performance Price Subscription / Notes

22. Friday 6 p.m. Ponchielli Gioconda (premiere) P 1. Mesterdalnokok Balanchine / Delibes | Balanchine / Tchaikovsky | Lander / Riisager 23. Saturday 7 p.m. A 10. Adriana Lecouvreur OMG (Sylvia Pas de Deux, Theme & Variations, Études) 23. Saturday 11 a.m. Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor M Balanchine / Delibes | Balanchine / Tchaikovsky | Lander / Riisager 23. Saturday 7 p.m. Zakharov / Asafyev The Fountain of Bakhchisarai A 35. La bohème 24. Sunday 11 a.m. M 26. Giselle OMG (Sylvia Pas de Deux, Theme & Variations, Études) 24. Sunday 11 a.m. Zakharov / Asafyev The Fountain of Bakhchisarai M 26. Giselle Balanchine / Delibes | Balanchine / Tchaikovsky | Lander / Riisager 24. Sunday 7 p.m. A 36. Poppea 24. Sunday 6 p.m. Ponchielli Gioconda A 14. Gioconda OMG (Sylvia Pas de Deux, Theme & Variations, Études) 25. Monday 7 p.m. Elīna Garanča concert E 25. Monday 7 p.m. Alfano Il principe Zilah H 39. Zilah hercege 27. Wednesday 7 p.m. Zakharov / Asafyev The Fountain of Bakhchisarai A 34. Tosca Balanchine / Delibes | Balanchine / Tchaikovsky | Lander / Riisager 27. Wednesday 7 p.m. A 2. Föld és tenger OMG (Sylvia Pas de Deux, Theme & Variations, Études) 28. Thursday 6 p.m. Ponchielli Gioconda A 6. Bajazzók Balanchine / Delibes | Balanchine / Tchaikovsky | Lander / Riisager 28. Thursday 7 p.m. A MARCH 2019 OMG (Sylvia Pas de Deux, Theme & Variations, Études) 29. Friday 7 p.m. Erkel Bánk Bán (The Viceroy Bánk) A 22. Különös baleset 1. Friday 6 p.m. Mozart Così fan tutte A 22. Különös baleset 30. Saturday 11 a.m. Kacsóh John the Valiant M 27. Telefon 2. Saturday 7 p.m. Italian Gala with Sonya Yoncheva E 1. Mesterdalnokok 30. Saturday 7 p.m. Verdi La traviata A 3. Sunday 11 a.m. Ponchielli Gioconda M 40. Operabarát 31. Sunday 11 a.m. Kacsóh John the Valiant M 40. Operabarát 3. Sunday 7 p.m. Mozart Così fan tutte A 17. Parasztbecsület 31. Sunday 7 p.m. Verdi La traviata A 18. Olasz nő 5. Tuesday 6 p.m. Mozart Così fan tutte A 2. Föld és tenger 6. Wednesday 6 p.m. Ponchielli Gioconda A 20. Francesca da Rimini APRIL 2019 7. Thursday 6 p.m. Bizet Carmen A 5. Gianni Schicchi 1. Monday 730 p.m. Ybl205 H 38. Láng 8. Friday 7 p.m. Mozart Così fan tutte A 9. Szamosi Elza 2. Tuesday 7 p.m. Erkel Bánk Bán (The Viceroy Bánk) A 43. Visszanéző 9. Saturday 11 a.m. Kacsóh John the Valiant M 13. Susanne titka 3. Wednesday 7 p.m. Verdi La traviata A 9. Saturday 6 p.m. Bizet Carmen A 11. Triptichon 4. Thursday 7 p.m. Verdi La traviata A 4. Messa di Gloria 10. Sunday 11 a.m. Kacsóh John the Valiant M 30. Fecske 5. Friday 6 p.m. Gershwin Porgy and Bess A 8. Nyugat lánya 10. Sunday 6 p.m. Ponchielli Gioconda A 18. Olasz nő 6. Saturday 11 a.m. Verdi La traviata M 23. Traviata 13. Wednesday 6 p.m. Bizet Carmen A 3. Köpeny 6. Saturday 6 p.m. Gershwin Porgy and Bess A 12. Bohémek 14. Thursday 7 p.m. Erkel Bánk Bán (The Viceroy Bánk) A 42. Visszanéző 7. Sunday 11 a.m. Erkel Bánk Bán (The Viceroy Bánk) M 24. Krizantémok 16. Saturday 11 a.m. Kacsóh John the Valiant - Breadcrumb Ball ZK Private event 7. Sunday 6 p.m. Gershwin Porgy and Bess A 14. Gioconda 16. Saturday 7 p.m. Erkel Bánk Bán (The Viceroy Bánk) A 19. La Wally 12. Friday 7 p.m. Verdi La traviata A 7. Pillangókisasszony 17. Sunday 11 a.m. Kacsóh John the Valiant M 28. Cristoforo Colombo 13. Saturday 1030 a.m. Tales of Music Tale - Music 17. Sunday 6 p.m. Bizet Carmen A 15. Angelica nővér 13. Saturday 6 p.m. Gershwin Porgy and Bess A 15. Angelica nővér 21. Thursday 7 p.m. Erkel Bánk Bán (The Viceroy Bánk) A 13. Susanne titka Balanchine / Delibes | Balanchine / Tchaikovsky | Lander / Riisager 14. Sunday 7 p.m. 5th Iván Nagy International Ballet Gala A 31. Fedora 22. Friday 7 p.m. A 33. Manon OMG (Sylvia Pas de Deux, Theme & Variations, Études) 16. Tuesday 6 p.m. Gershwin Porgy and Bess A 21. Éjszakai repülés

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184 CALENDAR 18-19 ERKEL THEATRE CALENDAR 18-19 ERKEL THEATRE 185 Date Day Time Performance Price Subscription / Notes Date Day Time Performance Price Subscription / Notes

17. Wednesday 6 p.m. Gershwin Porgy and Bess A 3. Köpeny 7. Tuesday 4 p.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure

18. Thursday 7 p.m. Mascagni | Leoncavallo Cavalleria rusticana | Pagliacci A 6. Bajazzók 8. Wednesday 11 a.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure

8. Wednesday 4 p.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 19. Friday 9 p.m. Gibson The Passion of the Christ V 9. Thursday 11 a.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 25. Thursday 7 p.m. Mascagni | Leoncavallo Cavalleria rusticana | Pagliacci A 29. André Chénier 9. Thursday 4 p.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 26. Friday 7 p.m. Kodály Háry János A 19. La Wally 10. Friday 11 a.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 27. Saturday 11 a.m. Kodály Háry János M 25. Edgar 10. Friday 4 p.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 27. Saturday 7 p.m. Mascagni | Leoncavallo Cavalleria rusticana | Pagliacci A 12. Bohémek 11. Saturday Choral Days ZK Private event 28. Sunday 11 a.m. Kodály Háry János M 28. Cristoforo Colombo 11. Saturday 7 p.m. Kodály Háry János ZK Private event /Choral Days 28. Sunday 7 p.m. Mascagni | Leoncavallo A 17. Parasztbecsület Cavalleria rusticana | Pagliacci 15. Wednesday 7 p.m. Seregi / Delibes Sylvia A 34. Tosca / Seregi-éj ‘19

29. Monday 11 a.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 16. Thursday 7 p.m. Seregi / Delibes Sylvia A 13. Susanne titka

30. Tuesday 11 a.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 17. Friday 7 p.m. Seregi / Delibes Sylvia A 19. La Wally

30. Tuesday 4 p.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 18. Saturday 11 a.m. Seregi / Delibes Sylvia M 25. Edgar

18. Saturday 7 p.m. Seregi / Delibes Sylvia A 32. Tündérek MAY 2019 19. Sunday 7 p.m. Seregi / Delibes Sylvia A 31. Fedora 2. Thursday 11 a.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 20. Monday 7 p.m. Puccini Messa di Gloria / Le Villi H 4. Messa di Gloria 2. Thursday 4 p.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 22. Wednesday 7 p.m. Puccini La fanciulla del West A 21. Éjszakai repülés 3. Friday 11 a.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 23. Thursday 6 p.m. Puccini Il trittico A

3. Friday 4 p.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 24. Friday 7 p.m. Puccini La fanciulla del West A 8. Nyugat lánya

4. Saturday 11 a.m. Kodály Háry János M MamaMatinée 25. Saturday 6 p.m. Puccini Il trittico A 11. Triptichon

4. Saturday 4 p.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 26. Sunday 7 p.m. Puccini La rondine (premiere) A 1. Mesterdalnokok

5. Sunday 6 p.m. Cinema Szinetár H 40. Operabarát 27. Monday 7 p.m. Puccini La rondine A 7. Pillangókisasszony

6. Monday 11 a.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure JUNE 2019

6. Monday 4 p.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 1. Saturday 6 p.m. Harangozó Jr. / Kocsák Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs A 34. Tosca

7. Tuesday 11 a.m. Kodály Háry János O OperAdventure 2. Sunday 11 a.m. Harangozó Jr. / Kocsák Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs M 30. Fecske

Gala, special event Concert Childrens’ programme Gala, special event Concert Childrens’ programme Opera Ballet Musical Opera Ballet Musical

186 CALENDAR 18-19 ERKEL THEATRE CALENDAR 18-19 ERKEL THEATRE 187 ERKEL THEATRE – BERNÁTH BUFFET CALENDAR

Date Day Time Performance Price Subscription / Notes Date Day Time Performance Price Subscription / Notes

2. Sunday 6 p.m. Harangozó Jr. / Kocsák Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs A SEPTEMBER 2018 5. Wednesday 7 p.m. Harangozó Jr. / Kocsák Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs A 42. Visszanéző 20. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 6. Thursday 7 p.m. Harangozó Jr. / Kocsák Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs A 29. André Chénier 27. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 7. Friday 7 p.m. Harangozó Jr. / Kocsák Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs A 43. Visszanéző 29. Saturday 9:30 a.m. Sing-along Baby with Daddy 1 000 HUF 8. Saturday 11 a.m. Harangozó Jr. / Kocsák Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs M 27. Telefon Hangvilla 8. Saturday 6 p.m. Harangozó Jr. / Kocsák Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs A 35. La bohème 30. Sunday 9 a.m. Enchanting Instruments – Strings 1 200 HUF 9. Sunday 11 a.m. Harangozó Jr. / Kocsák Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs M 30. Sunday 3 p.m. Afternoon Jam - Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass 1 200 HUF Fakopáncs 9. Sunday 6 p.m. Harangozó Jr. / Kocsák Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs A OCTOBER 2018 10. Monday 11 a.m. Harangozó Jr. / Kocsák Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs M Thursday 11 a.m. 1 000 HUF 10. Monday 5 p.m. Harangozó Jr. / Kocsák Snow White and The 7 Dwarfs ZK Private event 4. Sing-along Baby 14. Friday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 11. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 15. Saturday 11 a.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical M 25. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF

15. Saturday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 27. Saturday 9:30 a.m. Sing-along Baby with Daddy 1 000 HUF 16. Sunday 11 a.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical M 24. Krizantémok 28. Sunday 9 a.m. Enchanting Instruments – Woodwinds 1 200 HUF Hangvilla 16. Sunday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 28. Sunday 3 p.m. Afternoon Jam – Flute, Bassoon 1 200 HUF Fakopáncs 25. Tuesday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 26. Wednesday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A NOVEMBER 2018 27. Thursday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 4. Sunday 9 a.m. Enchanting Instruments – Brass 1 200 HUF Hangvilla 28. Friday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 4. Sunday 3 p.m. Afternoon Jam – Trumpet, Trombone 1 200 HUF Fakopáncs 29. Saturday 11 a.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical M 7. Wednesday 10 a.m. Big Projection Day ZK Private event 29. Saturday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 7. Wednesday 11 a.m. Big Projection Day ZK Private event 30. Sunday 11 a.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical M 30. Sunday 7 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical A 7. Wednesday 4 p.m. Hungarian Opera Day ZK Private event 8. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF

15. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF

22. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF

24. Saturday 9:30 a.m. Sing-along Baby with Daddy 1 000 HUF

29. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF

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188 CALENDAR 18-19 ERKEL THEATRE CALENDAR 18-19 BERNÁTH BUFFET 189 Date Day Time Performance Price Subscription / Notes Date Day Time Performance Price Subscription / Notes

14. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF DECEMBER 2018 21. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 2. Sunday 9 a.m. Enchanting Instruments – Percussion 1 200 HUF Hangvilla 23. Saturday 9:30 a.m. Sing-along Baby with Daddy 1 000 HUF 2. Sunday 3 p.m. Afternoon Jam – Percussion 1 200 HUF Fakopáncs 28. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 6. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF

8. Saturday 9:30 a.m. Sing-along Baby with Daddy 1 000 HUF APRIL 2019

13. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 4. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF

14. Sunday 9 a.m. Enchanting Instruments – Brass 1 200 HUF Hangjegy JANUARY 2019 14. Sunday 3 p.m. Afternoon Jam – Horn, Tuba 1 200 HUF Fülemüle 3. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 18. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 5. Saturday 9:30 a.m. Sing-along Baby with Daddy 1 000 HUF 25. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 6. Sunday 9 a.m. Enchanting Instruments – Strings 1 200 HUF Hangjegy

6. Sunday 3 p.m. Afternoon Jam – Guitar, Harp 1 200 HUF Fülemüle MAY 2019

10. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 16. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF

17. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 19. Sunday 9 a.m. Enchanting Instruments – Percussion 1 200 HUF Hangjegy

24. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 19. Sunday 3 p.m. Afternoon Jam – Piano 1 200 HUF Fülemüle

31. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 23. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF

25. Saturday 9:30 a.m. Sing-along Baby with Daddy 1 000 HUF FEBRUARY 2019 30. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 3. Sunday 9 a.m. Enchanting Instruments – Woodwinds 1 200 HUF Hangjegy

3. Sunday 3 p.m. Afternoon Jam – Clarinet, Oboe 1 200 HUF Fülemüle JUNE 2019

7. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 6. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 9. Saturday 9:30 a.m. Sing-along Baby with Daddy 1 000 HUF 13. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 14. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 20. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 21. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 27. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF 28. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF

MARCH 2019

7. Thursday 11 a.m. Sing-along Baby 1 000 HUF

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190 CALENDAR 18-19 BERNÁTH-BÜFÉ MŰSOR CALENDAR 18-19 BERNÁTH BUFFET 191 EIFFEL ART STUDIOS CALENDAR

Date Day Time Performance Date Day Time Performance

14. Sunday 7 p.m. Purcell The Fairy Queen JANUARY 2019 16. Tuesday World Voice Day 2019 26. Saturday Mozart263 20. Saturday 7 p.m. Bach Saint Matthew Passion 27. Sunday EIFFEL-INAUGURATION 21. Sunday 7 p.m. Mascagni Messa di Gloria / Cavalleria Rusticana 27. Sunday 7 p.m. Mozart L’oca del Cairo, ossia Lo sposo deluso (premiere) 22. Monday 7 p.m. Bach Saint Matthew Passion 30. Wednesday 7 p.m. Mozart L’oca del Cairo, ossia Lo sposo deluso 25. Thursday 7 p.m. Purcell The Fairy Queen

FEBRUARY 2019 28. Sunday 7 p.m. Purcell The Fairy Queen

1. Friday 7 p.m. Mozart L’oca del Cairo, ossia Lo sposo deluso MAY 2019 3. Sunday 7 p.m. Mozart L’oca del Cairo, ossia Lo sposo deluso 3. Friday 7 p.m. Venekei / Williams / Dés A Streetcar Named Desire

MARCH 2019 4. Saturday 7 p.m. Venekei / Williams / Dés A Streetcar Named Desire

9. Saturday 7 p.m. Pas de Quatre ‘19 5. Sunday 7 p.m. Venekei / Williams / Dés A Streetcar Named Desire

10. Sunday 7 p.m. DanceTrend ‘19 10. Friday 7 p.m. Venekei / Williams / Dés A Streetcar Named Desire

16. Saturday 7 p.m. Kenessey | Tóth The Gold and the Woman | The Tót Family 11. Saturday 7 p.m. Venekei / Williams / Dés A Streetcar Named Desire

17. Sunday 7 p.m. Kenessey | Tóth The Gold and the Woman | The Tót Family 11. Saturday European Opera Days

23. Saturday 7 p.m. Kenessey | Tóth The Gold and the Woman | The Tót Family 12. Sunday 7 p.m. Venekei / Williams / Dés A Streetcar Named Desire

24. Sunday 7 p.m. Kenessey | Tóth The Gold and the Woman | The Tót Family 18. Saturday “Puccini’s Italy” Festival /18 May - 10 June, 2019/

19. Sunday 7 p.m. Szálinger / Puccini Chrysanthemums (premiere) APRIL 2019 21. Tuesday 11 a.m. Zandonai Francesca da Rimini - Film screening Van Manen / Satie | Van Manen / Piazzola | Kylián / Reich | North / Downes GIRLS IN FOCUS 5. Friday 7 p.m. (Trois Gnossiennes; 5 Tangos; Falling Angels; Troy Game – with Amazons) 21. Tuesday 7 p.m. Szálinger / Puccini Chrysanthemums Van Manen / Satie | Van Manen / Piazzola | Kylián / Reich | North / Downes GIRLS IN FOCUS 6. Saturday 7 p.m. 23. Thursday 7 p.m. Mascagni | Leoncavallo Cavalleria Rusticana | Pagliacci - Film screening (Trois Gnossiennes; 5 Tangos; Falling Angels; Troy Game – with Amazons) Van Manen / Satie | Van Manen / Piazzola | Kylián / Reich | North / Downes GIRLS IN FOCUS 24. Friday 9 p.m. PucciniLateNight Edgar (premiere) 7. Sunday 7 p.m. (Trois Gnossiennes; 5 Tangos; Falling Angels; Troy Game – with Amazons) 25. Saturday 7 p.m. Szálinger / Puccini Chrysanthemums 12. Friday 7 p.m. Purcell The Fairy Queen 26. Sunday 9 p.m. PucciniLateNight Edgar Van Manen / Satie | Van Manen / Piazzola | Kylián / Reich | North / Downes GIRLS IN FOCUS 13. Saturday 11 a.m. 27. Monday 7 p.m. Catalani (Trois Gnossiennes; 5 Tangos; Falling Angels; Troy Game – with Amazons) La Wally - Film screening Van Manen / Satie | Van Manen / Piazzola | Kylián / Reich | North / Downes GIRLS IN FOCUS 28. Tuesday 7 p.m. Boito Mefistofele - Film screening 13. Saturday 7 p.m. (Trois Gnossiennes; 5 Tangos; Falling Angels; Troy Game – with Amazons) 28. Tuesday 9 p.m. PucciniLateNight Edgar

Gala, special event Concert Childrens’ programme Gala, special event Concert Childrens’ programme Opera Ballet Musical Opera Ballet Musical

192 CALENDAR 18-19 EIFFEL ART STUDIOS CALENDAR 18-19 EIFFEL ART STUDIOS 193 OPERA CALENDAR

Date Day Time Performance Date Day Time Performance

29. Wednesday 7 p.m. Cilea Adriana Lecouvreur - Film screening MAY 2019 30. Thursday 7 p.m. Alfano Il principe Zilah - Film screening 17. Friday 6 p.m. Puccini Manon Lescaut (premiere) Open dress rehearsal

JUNE 2019 18. Saturday 7 p.m. Puccini Manon Lescaut

1. Saturday 11 a.m. Franchetti Cristoforo Colombo - Film screening 19. Sunday 7 p.m. Puccini Tosca

1. Saturday 7 p.m. Monteverdi L’incoronazione di Poppea (premiere) 22. Wednesday 6 p.m. MacMillan / Massenet / Yates Manon

2. Sunday 7 p.m. Dallapiccola Volo di notte - Film screening 23. Thursday 7 p.m. Puccini Manon Lescaut

2. Sunday 7 p.m. Monteverdi L’incoronazione di Poppea 24. Friday 6 p.m. MacMillan / Massenet / Yates Manon

3. Monday 11 a.m. Coronaro Un curioso accidente - Film screening 25. Saturday 11 a.m. Puccini Tosca

4. Tuesday 11 a.m. Menotti The Telephone - Film screening 25. Saturday 7 p.m. Puccini Manon Lescaut

4. Tuesday 7 p.m. Monteverdi L’incoronazione di Poppea 26. Sunday 7 p.m. Puccini Turandot

5. Wednesday 7 p.m. Puccini La bohème 1937 - Film screening 29. Wednesday 7 p.m. Puccini Turandot

6. Thursday 11 a.m. Verdi La traviata - Film screening 30. Thursday 7 p.m. Puccini Manon Lescaut

7. Friday 11 a.m. Wolf-Ferrari Il segreto di Susanna - Film screening 31. Friday 7 p.m. Puccini Madama Butterfly

7. Friday 7 p.m. Giordano Fedora - Choral Artists’ Mini-Festival JUNE 2019 8. Saturday 11 a.m. Boito Mefistofele - Film screening 1. Saturday 6 p.m. Ponchielli Gioconda 8. Saturday 7 p.m. Monteverdi L’incoronazione di Poppea 2. Sunday 11 a.m. Puccini Manon Lescaut

9. Sunday 7 p.m. Giordano Fedora - Choral Artists’ Mini-Festival 2. Sunday 7 p.m. Puccini Madama Butterfly

11. Thursday 7 p.m. Primavera ‘19 3. Monday 7 p.m. Puccini Lieder

12. Wednesday 7 p.m. Primavera ‘19 5. Wednesday 6 p.m. Ponchielli Gioconda

13. Thursday 7 p.m. Primavera ‘19 6. Thursday 7 p.m. Puccini La bohème 2.0

14. Friday 7 p.m. Primavera ‘19 7. Friday 7 p.m. Giordano Andrea Chénier

15. Saturday 7 p.m. Primavera ‘19 8. Saturday 7 p.m. Puccini La bohème 2.0

16. Sunday 7 p.m. Primavera ‘19 9. Sunday 7 p.m. Giordano Andrea Chénier

10. Monday 7 p.m. Vittorio Grigolo - Puccini aria recital

11. Tuesday 4 p.m. Night of Stars Gala Private event

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194 CALENDAR 18-19 EIFFEL ART STUDIOS CALENDAR 18-19 OPERA HOUSE 195 Date Day Time Performance Date Day Time Performance

14. Friday 7 p.m. Verdi Un ballo in maschera 14. Sunday 7 p.m. Verdi Rigoletto

15. Saturday 7 p.m. Verdi Un ballo in maschera 19. Friday 7 p.m. Verdi Rigoletto

16. Sunday 7 p.m. Verdi Un ballo in maschera 20. Saturday 7 p.m. Verdi Rigoletto

22. Saturday 6 p.m. MacMillan / Liszt / Lanchbery Mayerling (premiere) 21. Sunday 7 p.m. Verdi Rigoletto

23. Sunday 11 a.m. Verdi Un ballo in maschera 26. Friday 7 p.m. Verdi Rigoletto

23. Sunday 6 p.m. MacMillan / Liszt / Lanchbery Mayerling 27. Saturday 7 p.m. Verdi Rigoletto

25. Tuesday 6 p.m. MacMillan / Liszt / Lanchbery Mayerling 28. Sunday 7 p.m. Verdi Rigoletto

26. Wednesday 6 p.m. MacMillan / Liszt / Lanchbery Mayerling

27. Thursday 6 p.m. MacMillan / Liszt / Lanchbery Mayerling

28. Friday 6 p.m. MacMillan / Liszt / Lanchbery Mayerling

29. Saturday 11 a.m. Verdi Un ballo in maschera OTHER VENUES

29. Saturday 6 p.m. MacMillan / Liszt / Lanchbery Mayerling

30. Sunday 11 a.m. MacMillan / Liszt / Lanchbery Mayerling Date Day Place Performance

30. Sunday 7 p.m. Verdi Un ballo in maschera AUGUST 2018 JULY 2019 31. Friday Székely Land Donizetti L’elisir d’amore 2. Tuesday 6 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical SEPTEMBER 2018 3. Wednesday 6 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical 1. Saturday Székely Land Donizetti L’elisir d’amore 4. Thursday 6 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical 2. Sunday Székely Land Donizetti L’elisir d’amore 5. Friday 6 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical 3. Monday Székely Land Donizetti L’elisir d’amore 6. Saturday 11 a.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical 4. Tuesday Székely Land Donizetti L’elisir d’amore 6. Saturday 6 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical 5. Wednesday Székely Land Donizetti L’elisir d’amore 7. Sunday 11 a.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical 6. Thursday Székely Land Donizetti L’elisir d’amore

7. Sunday 6 p.m. Sir Elton John / Lee Hall Billy Elliot – The Musical 7. Friday Székely Land Donizetti L’elisir d’amore

12. Friday 7 p.m. Verdi Rigoletto 8. Saturday Székely Land Donizetti L’elisir d’amore 9. Sunday Székely Land Donizetti L’elisir d’amore 13. Saturday 7 p.m. Verdi Rigoletto

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196 CALENDAR 18-19 OPERA HOUSE CALENDAR 18-19 OPERA HOUSE & OTHER VENUES 197 MÜPA BUDAPEST CALENDAR

Date Day Place Performance Date Day Time Performance Price Subscription / Notes

OCTOBER 2018 JANUAR 2019

1. Monday St. Stephen’s Square International Music Day 9. Wednesday 7 p.m. Wagner The Flying Dutchman MÜ 40. Operabarát 10. Thursday 7 p.m. Verdi Simon Boccanegra MÜ 39. Zilah hercege NOVEMBER 2018 13. Sunday 6 p.m. Goldmark Die Königin von Saba MÜ 2. Friday Vác Verdi Requiem 4. Sunday Cegléd Verdi Requiem

MARCH 2019 OPERA OUTSIDE THE OPERA HOUSE!

20. Wednesday Underground Bach in the Subways / Coffee Cantata 23. Saturday Underground Bach in the Subways / Coffee Cantata Date Day Time Place Performance

JUNE 2019 SEPTEMBER 2018 9. Sunday St. Stephen’s Basilica Children’s Choir Devotion - Choral Artists’ Mini-Festival 1. Saturday 7 p.m. Beregszász Erkel Bánk Bán (The Viceroy Bánk) 21. Friday Margaret Island Rossini Il barbiere di Siviglia 7. Friday 7 p.m. Kecskemét Classic and Modern - Ballet show 23. Sunday Margaret Island Rossini Il barbiere di Siviglia 8. Saturday 7 p.m. Tatabánya Symphonic concert 28. Friday Margaret Island Mozart Le nozze di Figaro 9. Sunday 7 p.m. Békéscsaba Classic and Modern - Ballet show 30. Sunday Margaret Island Mozart Le nozze di Figaro 14. Friday 7 p.m. Győr Puccini Turandot – Concert performance 15. Saturday 7 p.m. Zalaegerszeg Symphonic concert 16. Sunday 7 p.m. Tata Puccini Turandot – Concert performance 22. Saturday 7 p.m. Szekszárd Symphonic concert 23. Sunday 7 p.m. Salgótarján Classic and Modern - Ballet show 29. Saturday 7 p.m. Kaposvár Symphonic concert 30. Sunday 7 p.m. Tatabánya Classic and Modern - Ballet show

OCTOBER 2018

1. Monday 7 p.m. Eger Classic and Modern - Ballet show 6. Saturday 7 p.m. Veszprém Symphonic concert 7. Sunday 7 p.m. Nyíregyháza Classic and Modern - Ballet show 8. Saturday 7 p.m. Kecskemét Symphonic concert 12. Friday 7 p.m. Szeged Puccini Turandot – Concert performance

Gala, special event Concert Childrens’ programme Gala, special event Concert Childrens’ programme Opera Ballet Musical Opera Ballet Musical

198 CALENDAR 18-19 OTHER VENUES CALENDAR 18-19 MÜPA BUDAPEST & 199 OPERA OUTSIDE THE OPERA HOUSE! OPERA OUTSIDE THE OPERA HOUSE! OPERA OUTSIDE THE OPERA HOUSE!

Date Day Time Place Performance Date Day Time Place Performance

14. Sunday 7 p.m. Miskolc Puccini Turandot – Concert performance 12. Saturday 7 p.m. Salgótarján “Puccini’s Italy” Opera Gala

19. Friday 7 p.m. Tatabánya Classic and Modern - Ballet show 16. Wednesday 7 p.m. Veszprém Puccini Tosca – Concert performance

20. Saturday 7 p.m. Szekszárd Classic and Modern - Ballet show 19. Saturday 7 p.m. Békéscsaba “Puccini’s Italy” Opera Gala

21. Sunday 7 p.m. Pécs Puccini Turandot – Concert performance 21. Monday 7 p.m. Nyíregyháza Puccini Tosca – Concert performance

27. Saturday 7 p.m. Salgótarján Symphonic concert 28. Monday 7 p.m. Eger Puccini Tosca – Concert performance

NOVEMBER 2018 FEBRUARY 2019

4. Monday 7 p.m. Nyíregyháza “Puccini’s Italy” Opera Gala 16. Friday 7 p.m. Debrecen Puccini Turandot – Concert performance 6. Wednesday 7 p.m. Szekszárd “Puccini’s Italy” Opera Gala 17. Saturday 7 p.m. Zalaegerszeg Classic and Modern - Ballet show 8. Friday 7 p.m. Hódmezővásárhely Puccini La bohème - Concert performance 18. Sunday 7 p.m. Szolnok Puccini Turandot – Concert performance 11. Monday 7 p.m. Salgótarján Puccini La bohème - Concert performance 18. Sunday 7 p.m. Veszprém Classic and Modern - Ballet show 13. Wednesday 7 p.m. Kecskemét Puccini La bohème - Concert performance 19. Monday 7 p.m. Eger Symphonic concert 15. Friday 7 p.m. Komárom Puccini La bohème - Concert performance 23. Friday 7 p.m. Székesfehérvár Puccini Turandot – Concert performance 18. Monday 7 p.m. Békéscsaba Puccini La bohème - Concert performance 24. Saturday 7 p.m. Nyíregyháza Symphonic concert 21. Thursday 7 p.m. Veszprém “Puccini’s Italy” Opera Gala 24. Saturday 7 p.m. Kaposvár Classic and Modern - Ballet show MARCH 2019 25. Sunday 7 p.m. Szombathely Puccini Turandot – Concert performance 2. Saturday 7 p.m. Dunaszerdahely Puccini La bohème - Concert performance 30. Friday 7 p.m. Tatabánya Puccini Tosca – Concert performance 4. Monday 7 p.m. Kecskemét “Puccini’s Italy” Opera Gala DECEMBER 2018 8. Friday 7 p.m. Újvidék Puccini La bohème - Concert performance

2. Sunday 7 p.m. Békéscsaba Symphonic concert 11. Monday 7 p.m. Tatabánya “Puccini’s Italy” Opera Gala

3. Monday 7 p.m. Nagykanizsa Puccini Tosca – Concert performance 22. Friday 7 p.m. Nagyvárad Puccini La bohème - Concert performance

10. Monday 7 p.m. Zalaegerszeg Puccini Tosca – Concert performance 25. Monday 7 p.m. Eger “Puccini’s Italy” Opera Gala

17. Monday 7 p.m. Szekszárd Puccini Tosca – Concert performance 29. Friday 7 p.m. Szatmárnémeti Puccini La bohème - Concert performance

JANUARY 2019 APRIL 2019

4. Friday 7 p.m. Kaposvár Puccini Tosca – Concert performance 2. Tuesday 7 p.m. Zalaegerszeg “Puccini’s Italy” Opera Gala

7. Monday 7 p.m. Sopron Puccini Tosca – Concert performance 23. Tuesday 7 p.m. Kaposvár “Puccini’s Italy” Opera Gala

Gala, special event Concert Childrens’ programme Gala, special event Concert Childrens’ programme Opera Ballet Musical Opera Ballet Musical

200 CALENDAR 18-19 OPERA OUTSIDE THE OPERA HOUSE! CALENDAR 18-19 OPERA OUTSIDE THE OPERA HOUSE! 201 TICKET INFORMATION, SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DISCOUNTS SUBSCRIPTIONS BONUS FLEXIBLE SUBSCRIPTION The names of subscriptions for the 2018/19 seasons All purchasers of subscriptions with a card includes a Last season, our patrons were invited to sample are inspired by the themes of the season, but their AND BONUSES code providing a 30% discount for the same number Flexible Subscriptions, which turned out to be very code numbers remain unchanged. of individual bonus performances at the Opera House popular. After the close of the several-month-long as the number of performances on their subscription. period for purchasing subscriptions, patrons can 1. Mesterdalnokok (formerly Siegfried) (For example, by using the card, the purchaser of a four- purchase Flexible Subscriptions for remaining seats 2. Föld és tenger (formerly Arthemis) In the 2018/2019 season, the Hungarian State Opera performance subscription for the Erkel Theatre may at the Erkel Theatre for six performances of their 3. Köpeny (formerly Tio Lukas) offers a choice of different subscriptions for old and buy discounted tickets for four performances at the choosing. We will provide a total discount of 15% for 4. Messa di Gloria (formerly Achilleus) new patrons. This season, the institution will once Opera House.) The bonuses can be used at the Opera the six tickets, which must be paid for in a single sum 5. Gianni Schicchi (formerly Tommaso) again issue collectible plastic cards of unique design House, which will reopen in the spring of 2019. in advance. Perhaps more importantly, we also reward 6. Bajazzók (formerly Oberon) and bearing the holder’s name, which primarily allow Flexible Subscription holders with the 30% discount 7. Pillangókisasszony (formerly Íphigeneia) returning Hungarian guests to obtain substantial BONUS+ from the list price on six additional individual tickets 8. Nyugat lánya (formerly Jászberény) discounts. We’ve linked each of the subscription options to a single to six different performances at the Opera House (Bonus). 9. Szamosi Elza (formerly Helene) special opera event, which the holder of the given pass 10. Adriana Lecouvreur (formerly Tata) can register to attend at half price. This means we’ve SIX-PERFORMANCE CARD 11. Triptichon (formerly Hedwig) supplemented each subscription series with a Last but not least, the Six-Performance Card will 12. Bohémek (formerly Paul) 50% discount for each of our subscriptions. (One be available for sale starting on 2 July 2018. This will 13. Susanne titka (formerly Von Wenkheim) subscription allows one bonus ticket to be purchased be of interest to those of our patrons who missed the 14. Gioconda (formerly Nietzsche) at the Hungarian State Opera box offices. Tickets subscription deadline for any reason or who only oc- 15. Angelica nővér (formerly Tante Emma) are available in limited numbers: requests will be casionally visit the Opera House. Anyone who collects 16. Mefistofele (formerly Lord Ruthven) processed according to the time of booking; for further six full-priced performances at either the Opera 17. Parasztbecsület (formerly Sir Humphrey) information on the booking system and the conditions House or Erkel Theatre, may also purchase an ad- 18. Olasz nő (formerly Marietta) of card use, visit www.opera.hu/vasarloiaszf. Tickets ditional individual ticket for each of six Opera House 19. La Wally (formerly Kapitány) can be purchased from 2 July 2018.) productions at a 30% discount on their Six-Perfor- 20. Francesca da Rimini (formerly Fatima) mance Card. (Since the Six-Performance Card is linked 21. Éjszakai repülés (formerly Puck) to an individual name, the owner only becomes eligible 22. Különös baleset (formerly Zuniga) PERFORMANCES ELIGIBLE FOR BONUS+ for the discount after attending six productions.) 23. Traviata (formerly Gyula) 24. Krizantémok (formerly Brünnhilde) GENERAL CONDITIONS OF CARD USE 25. Edgar (formerly Hagen) Date Venue Performance Each plastic card bearing the holder’s name entitles 26. Giselle (formerly Alberich) the purchaser to one ticket for each performance. 27. Telefon (formerly Schlendrian) 10 December 2018 (Mon), 7.30 pm Erkel Theatre József Antall (Family members, friends, students and accompany- 28. Cristoforo Colombo (formerly Boszi) Memorial Concert ing guests can take out a card free of charge and then 29. André Chénier (formerly Robert) 17 December 2018 (Mon), 7 pm Erkel Theatre Leoncavallo collect points on it or pay with it.) 30. Fecske (formerly Gunther) La bohème Pre-purchased tickets can be transferred to 31. Fedora (formerly Grófné) 9 January 2019 (Wed), 7 pm Müpa Wagner anyone as we cannot and do not wish to check guests’ 32. Tündérek (formerly Cinna) Budapest The Flying Dutchman identities before performances. 33. Manon (formerly Márta) 10 January 2019 (Thu), 7 pm Müpa Verdi 34. Tosca (formerly Licinius) Budapest Simon Boccanegra 35. Bohémélet (formerly Sebastiano) 13 January 2019 (Sun), 6 pm Müpa Goldmark 36. Poppea (formerly Julia) The Queen of Sheba 37. Turandot (formerly Pedro) 25 March 2019 (Mon), 7 pm Erkel Theatre Alfano 38. Láng (formerly Malwina) Il principe Zilah 39. Zilah hercege (formerly Professzor) 20 May 2019 (Mon), 7 pm Erkel Theatre Puccini 40. Operabarát Messa di Gloria / Le Villi

204 CALENDAR 18-19 TICKET INFORMATION CALENDAR 18-19 TICKET INFORMATION 205 OPERA FROM THE OPERA! OPERA FOR EVERYONE

A BRAND-NEW SUBSCRIPTION PROGRAMME SEE IT AGAIN SERIES HELP FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED A BOX FOR THE DISABLED It would be amiss to paraphrase a famous poet and put The Opera is a huge but diverse institution, which The surtitle screens suspended above the stages of the Our institution tries to make it easier for those living forward that only a madman would put on opera in Hun- regards its almost 1,200 employe and as authorities on Opera House and the Erkel Theatre are a great help in with disabilities to access our performances. Since the gary, as this brings with it a great many missionary obli- the topic of opera no matter what position they work understanding the works for those who can hear, but refurbishment, a special lift has been installed at the gations. In his unusual pair of years when the Hungari- in. A new programme, the See It Again series, gives especially important for the hearing impaired. Our main entrance of the Erkel Theatre, and in the newly an State Opera must largely do without the Opera House, an artist or employee of the Opera the opportunity to visually impaired guests arriving in groups can enjoy modernised Opera House, a so accessing seats will we have the opportunity to take the essence of our work watch three performances regularly and thus assess opera performances too: they will be informed about no longer be a problem. After the modernisation is to Hungarians beyond our borders and the wider world, their own work – of course, this is part of their profes- the events on the stage with commentary through in- completed, our disabled guests will be able to use the as well as to rural areas and opera-starved cities in lesser sional activities and is regarded as work time. And let ear monitors while being able to fully enjoy the music. lifts located in the staircases at the Hajós Street and Hungary. This is the goal of the “Opera from the Opera!” everyone bring a person from their family or friends, The venue for this experimental project is the Erkel the Dalszínház Street entrances to reach the gallery four-performance subscriptions, which will run in paral- to be able to bond with the Opera! Theatre and it is led by Ervin Bonecz. There are 40 on the third floor. The elevators installed in the rooms lel to the “Puccini’s Italy” season and will be expanded to available spots for each performance. next to the two entrances will help our guests to ten county capitals for this season – and which we intend SELECTED PERFORMANCES AT THE ERKEL THEATRE: enter the auditorium, where the special seats with a to repeat in 2021/22, when the Erkel Theatre is sched- good view of the stage, designated for them and their uled to be closed for renovation. THE SEASON’S NARRATED, ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES AT companions, are located. Disabled lavatory facilities Date Performance THE ERKEL THEATRE: will also be available on the balcony level. THE STOPS ON THE “OO SUBSCRIPTION” WILL BE THE FOLLOWING COUNTY CAPITALS: 5 February 2019 (Tue), 7 pm Rossini L’italiana in Algeri 6 February 2019 (Wed), 7 pm Rossini L’italiana in Algeri Date Performance • Veszprém • Szolnok 14 March 2019 (Thu), 7 pm Erkel Bánk Bán • Kaposvár • Salgótarján 08 September 2018 (Sat), 11 am Sir Elton John / Lee Hall 2 April 2019. (Tue), 7 pm Erkel Bánk Bán Billy Elliot – The Musical • Szekszárd • Eger 5 June 2019 (Wed), 7 pm Harangozó Jr./ Kocsák • Zalaegerszeg • Nyíregyháza 16 February 2019 (Sat), 11 am Zakharov/Asafiev Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs • Kecskemét • Békéscsaba The Fountain of Bakhchisarai 7 June 2019 (Fri), 7 pm Harangozó Jr./ Kocsák 23 February 2019 (Sat), 11 am Donizetti Lucia di Lammermoor Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs PROGRAMME: 3 March 2019 (Sun), 11 am Ponchielli La Gioconda Ballet Gala (classical pas de deux dances and 17 March 2019 (Sun), 11 am Kacsóh János vitéz contemporary single-act performances) COME ON IN! 4 May 2019 (Sat), 11 am Kodály Háry János Symphonic Evening (opera overture, classical concerto with Performances at the Opera House have been easily a solo from a leading opera artist, vocal scene, symphony) accessible for young audience members and students 15 June 2019 (Sat), 11 am Sir Elton John / Lee Hall “Puccini’s Italy” opera gala (excerpts from popular since March 2012. Student tickets are, of course, avail- Billy Elliot – The Musical operas by Puccini and his Italian contemporaries, with able this year too during the modernisation of the orchestral accompaniment and three soloists) building – this time at the Erkel Theatre. The tickets, Puccini Tosca / La bohème (concert opera perfor- which are available in limited numbers, cost 300 for- mance with a choir, children’s choir, orchestra and ints (or 1 euro for international visitors) and are valid soloists, in Italian with Hungarian surtitles) for seats at the top of the balcony and the wing boxes. Thanks to the shoebox-like shape of the auditorium, DATES AND VENUES: it should also be noted that the acoustics of the Erkel 7 September 2018 – 23 April 2019, in the theatres and Theatre are best from these seats. Student tickets can concert halls of Hungary’s county capitals. be purchased in person at any of the box offices of our theatres two hours prior to the beginning of the per- Our partner Filharmónia Magyarország Nkft. formances.

206 CALENDAR 18-19 TICKET INFORMATION CALENDAR 18-19 TICKET INFORMATION 207 TICKET PRICES 2018/2019

TICKET PRICES AT THE ERKEL THEATRE ERKEL THEATRE SEATING CHART

Places Rows A M E H P STAGE

1 1

1 1 2 Price category I 2 ORCHESTRA 2 2 3 3 1 2 2 1 3 3 3 3 4 5 4 6 6 5 4 4 7 8 9 8 7 1 9 Orchestra level ROWS 1-11 2 1 2 3 5 12 13 14 2 1 4 4 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 3 4 5 1 1 5 4 6 7 7 6 8 9 10 9 8 7 200 HUF 3 600 HUF 14 400 HUF 5 700 HUF 8 600 HUF 1 2 10 1 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 3 2 4 5 10 5 4 6 7 2 2 6 8 9 9 8 7 Centre balcony box ROW 1 1 10 11 11 10 2 1 14 2 1 3 4 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 3 5 6 3 3 6 5 1 7 8 8 7 1 9 10 10 9 1 1 11 11 1 2 3 1 2 3 5 13 14 15 3 2 1 4 5 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 1 2 6 4 4 6 5 1 7 8 8 7 2 1 9 10 10 9 1 Price category II 2 3 11 11 2 4 1 2 3 4 13 14 15 16 4 3 3 5 6 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 5 1 7 5 5 6 3 1 8 9 9 8 7 1 10 11 12 11 10 1 2 2 3 12 2 2 UPPER WING BOXES 2 4 1 2 3 14 15 4 3 5 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 5 2 1 6 7 6 6 6 1 8 9 9 8 7 Orchestra level ROWS 12-16 2 1 10 11 12 11 10 1 2 3 2 12 2 2 3 4 1 2 3 15 16 3 3 5 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 4 2 6 7 7 7 7 6 8 9 9 8 BALCONY WING BOXES 1 10 11 11 10 1 3 2 12 12 2 1 3 1 2 3 16 17 3 3 1 4 5 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 5 4 6 7 8 8 6 Balcony seat ROWS 1-6 5 800 HUF 2 900 HUF 11 600 HUF 4 600 HUF 6 900 HUF 8 9 8 7 2 1 9 3 2 10 11 11 10 1 2 1 3 12 12 3 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 13 14 15 16 5 4 1 6 7 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 7 6 3 8 9 9 9 9 8 2 3 2 10 11 11 10 3 3 12 13 13 12 2 1 17 Centre balcony box ROW 2 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 10 1 3 1 2 2 1 3 1 3 4 4 3 4 5 6 6 5 4 2 7 7 8 9 9 8 2 1 1 10 11 10 2 12 13 13 12 11 2 1 1 4 3 4 1 18 4 3 3 5 2 3 4 5 15 16 17 5 4 6 7 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 3 Price category III 2 8 11 11 8 7 9 10 9 2 1 2 11 12 12 11 10 1 3 13 13 3 2 4 1 2 3 16 17 4 1 3 5 6 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 6 5 1 7 8 12 12 8 7 3 1 2 9 10 10 9 1 3 11 12 13 12 11 3 2 2 4 13 4 5 5 6 1 2 3 4 16 17 18 6 5 2 5 1 7 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 7 Orchestra-level seats ROWS 17-21 8 9 13 13 9 8 1 1 10 11 12 11 10 1 3 2 13 13 12 2 3 4 14 14 4 3 3 5 2 5 1 2 18 19 5 5 6 7 3 4 5 6 7 13 14 15 16 17 6 2 8 9 14 8 9 10 11 12 14 9 8 7 1 10 11 12 11 10 1 2 3 13 14 13 12 2 1 3 4 14 4 3 UPPER WING BOXES 5 1 2 18 5 3 1 Balcony seat ROWS 7-10 6 7 3 4 5 6 7 12 13 14 15 16 17 7 6 1 8 9 15 8 9 10 11 15 9 8 6 2 10 11 11 10 2 1 6 2 3 12 13 13 12 3 4 5 14 14 4 2 1 6 1 2 18 19 6 5 1 3 000 HUF 1 500 HUF 6 000 HUF 2 400 HUF 3 600 HUF 7 8 3 4 5 6 7 13 14 15 16 17 8 7 9 10 16 8 9 10 11 12 16 9 3 6 1 2 11 12 11 10 1 6 2 3 13 14 13 12 2 3 BALCONY WING BOXES 4 15 15 14 4 3 2 Balcony wing box ROWS 1 5 6 1 2 3 18 19 20 6 5 7 8 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 8 7 1 9 10 17 17 10 9 1 3 2 11 12 11 2 1 1 3 13 14 14 13 12 3 3 4 5 5 4 6 7 1 2 3 4 17 18 19 6 2 8 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 8 7 7 1 9 10 18 18 10 9 2 7 1 2 11 12 11 2 1 Centre orchestra box ROWS 1 3 13 14 14 13 12 3 1 4 5 5 4 3 7 6 1 2 17 18 6 7 8 3 4 5 6 7 12 13 14 15 16 8 7 7 3 2 9 19 8 9 10 11 19 9 1 10 10 1 2 2 11 12 13 12 11 2 3 4 14 14 13 4 3 5 6 5 1 3 7 1 2 3 17 18 19 6 8 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 13 14 15 16 8 7 3 1 9 10 20 9 12 20 10 9 11 12 12 11 Price category IV 8 1 13 14 14 13 1 2 2 2 8 3 1 2 3 3 2 1 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 21 21 2 1 1 3 3 1 2 3 3 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 2 1 1 3 2 3 3 2 1 1 Balcony seat ROWS ROWS 11-14 2 3 3 2 1 2 3 3 2 1 1 Level I wingbox ROWS 1 1 500 HUF 500 HUF 3 000 HUF 1 200 HUF 1 800 HUF 2 13 3 12 4 10 11 Centre orchestra box ROW 2 1 15 2 14 1 2 3 13 1 3 12 3 2 1 2 4 11 1 3 5 3 2 1 1 2 6 7 8 9 10 2 1 1 2 3 1 1 3 2 3 1 2 3 3 2 3 2 1 2 2 1 2 1 3 3 1 2 2 1 3 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 2 1 3 2 1 3 1 1 3 2 3 3 2 TICKET PRICES AT MÜPA BUDAPEST 1 2 2 1 LEFT 3 1 2 1 3 RIGHT 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 2 1 3 2

1 2 3 2 1 for the “Opera at Müpa” series 4 5 4 3 6 6 5 7 8 CENTRE WING BOXES 8 7 1 2 9 10 11 10 9 1 3 4 12 13 14 13 12 11 3 2 5 6 14 5 4 7 1 2 3 4 5 15 16 17 18 7 6 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 9 8 11 12 1 1 11 10 13 14 1 14 13 12 1 2 17 18 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 2 2 2 2 1 3 4 2 4 3 5 6 6 5 Price category I 5 700 HUF 7 8 8 7 1 9 10 9 1 2 11 12 12 11 10 2 3 4 13 14 15 14 13 4 3 5 6 15 6 5 7 8 1 2 3 4 17 18 19 20 8 7 1 9 10 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 9 1 2 11 12 3 3 12 11 10 2 3 4 13 14 15 14 13 4 3 Price category II 4 600 HUF 5 6 3 15 6 5 7 8 1 2 3 18 19 20 7 9 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 8 1 1 2 11 12 4 4 12 11 10 3 2 3 4 13 14 15 4 15 14 13 5 4 5 6 20 7 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 16 17 18 19 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 10 9 Price category III 2 400 HUF 1 11 12 5 5 12 11 2 13 14 15 14 13 2 1 3 4 15 5 16 4 3 5 6 1 2 18 19 20 6 5 7 8 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 7 9 10 6 11 6 9 8 1 11 12 12 11 10 1 2 3 13 14 15 6 14 13 3 2 Price category IV 1 200 HUF 4 5 16 16 15 5 4 6 7 1 2 3 18 19 20 7 6 8 9 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 8 10 11 7 7 11 10 12 13 13 12 14 15 16 7 16 15 14 1 2 3 18 19 20 Price category V 800 HUF 8 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 1 2 8 1 3 8 3 2 4 5 5 4 6 7 7 6 8 9 9 8 1 10 11 11 10 1 2 3 12 13 12 2 4 14 15 16 15 14 13 4 3 5 6 17 17 16 6 5 7 8 1 2 3 4 20 21 22 8 7 1 9 10 5 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 9 2 11 12 9 10 11 12 9 12 11 10 2 1 3 13 14 15 14 13 3 4 5 16 17 9 17 16 15 5 4 6 7 1 22 7 6 8 9 2 3 4 5 6 17 18 19 20 21 9 8 1 10 11 10 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 11 10 2 12 13 10 12 2 1 3 14 15 16 15 14 13 3 4 5 17 10 17 16 5 4 6 7 1 2 3 4 20 21 22 7 6 8 9 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 9 8 Date Performance 1 10 11 11 11 11 10 1 2 3 12 13 12 2 4 14 15 16 11 15 14 13 4 3 5 6 17 17 16 6 5 7 8 1 2 3 21 22 8 7 9 10 4 5 6 7 8 9 16 17 18 19 20 9 11 12 12 10 11 12 13 14 15 12 12 11 10 13 14 15 14 13 16 17 12 17 16 15 1 2 3 4 20 21 22 13 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 13 13 1 2 3 4 20 21 22 5 February (Tue), 7 pm Wagner The Flying Dutchman 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 14 14 6 February (Wed), 7 pm Verdi Simon Boccanegra

14 March (Thu), 6 pm Goldmark The Queen of Sheba Only for sale on the day of the performance

208 CALENDAR 18-19 TICKET INFORMATION CALENDAR 18-19 TICKET INFORMATION 209 TICKET INFORMATION 2018/2019

TICKETS: FURTHER INFORMATION:

OPERA SALES CENTRE E-mail [email protected] 1061 Budapest, Hajós utca 13–15, Ground Floor, Door 1, (buzzer 90) Website www.opera.hu Tel. +36 1/332 7914 Central telephone number +36 1/332 7914 Open Monday – Friday, 10 am – 5 pm Online ticket sales www.opera.hu

OPERA HOUSE BOX OFFICE Group bookings can be made for all performances across the entire season 1061 Budapest, Andrassy út 22 by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. Open Monday – Sunday, noon – 6 pm All our box offices accept payments by bank card. We accept the following card types: ERKEL THEATRE BOX OFFICE Visa | MasterCard | American Express | PayPass 1087 Budapest, II. Janos Pál pápa tér 30 Tel. +36 1/332 6150 The theatre accepts the following vouchers at its box offices: Open Monday – Sunday, 10 am – 8 pm Edenred Gift and Shopping vouchers | Edenred Culture and Sport vouchers | Gift Erzsébet vouchers | Culture Erzsébet vouchers On a performance day, until the end of the first interval, depending on the | OTP SZÉP cards | OTP Cafeteria cards | MKB SZÉP cards | performance. Erzsébet Plusz vouchers

For half an hour prior to a performance, advance sales are suspended and It is also possible to purchase gift vouchers at our box offices in only visitors arriving for the day’s performance are served. We appreciate denominations of 1 000, 2 000, 5 000 and 10 000 forints. your understanding. The Hungarian State Opera is under no obligation to refund tickets and subscriptions. The Hungarian State Opera reserves the right to make changes ALLEE SHOPPING CENTRE BOX OFFICE to the programme. 1117 Budapest, Október huszonharmadika utca 8–10 Open Monday – Sunday, 11 am –7 pm

210 CALENDAR 18-19 TICKET INFORMATION CALENDAR 18-19 TICKET INFORMATION 211 THE ARTISTS

212 CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS 213 Kamen Chanev Pagliacci, Il tabarro Álmos Gyarmati Gianni Schicchi István Kovács The Gold and the Woman, SOLOISTS Zsuzsa Csarnóy Der Zigeunerbaron András Hábetler La bohème, Der Zigeunerbaron, Un ballo in maschera, Edgar, L’oca del Cairo, Opera Antal Cseh Andrea Chénier, Bánk Bán, Háry János, The Marriage of Figaro, Háry János, The Tót Family St Matthew Passion, Tosca Les Huguenots, Mario and the Magician, La fanciulla del West, Zsolt Haja Pagliacci, Bánk Bán, La bohème, István Kovácsházi Ariadne auf Naxos, L’italiana in Algeri, Tosca La bohème 2.0, Carmina Burana, Edgar, Háry János, Die Fledermaus, Jenůfa, Tosca, Turandot Balázs Csémy Háry János, Mario and the Magician Porgy and Bess, The Spinning Room Kolos Kováts Bánk Bán Alexandru Agache Andrea Chénier, Pagliacci, Bánk Bán, Krisztián Cser Ariadne auf Naxos, Un ballo in maschera, László Haramza Tosca András Kőrösi La bohème, Gianni Schicchi, Gioconda, Gioconda, Nabucco La bohème, La bohème 2.0, The Marriage of Figaro, Gioconda, Péter Haumann János vitéz Háry János, János vitéz, La fanciulla del West, Salome Antal Bakó The Gold and the Woman La fanciulla del West Melinda Heiter La fanciulla del West, La traviata István Kristóf Rigoletto Anikó Bakonyi L’oca del Cairo, Porgy and Bess Ferenc Cserhalmi The Gold and the Woman, La bohème, Lilla Horti La bohème, Così fan tutte Ferenc Kristofori Gioconda, Les Huguenots, Manon Marcell Bakonyi Bánk Bán, La bohème, János vitéz, La bohème 2.0, Les Huguenots, Nabucco, Madama Butterfly, István Horváth Ariadne auf Naxos, Bánk Bán, Lescaut, Nabucco, La fanciulla del West, St Matthew Passion, L’italiana in Algeri, Porgy and Bess, Tosca Salome, Die Königin von Saba La bohème, La bohème 2.0, Carmina Burana, L’oca del Cairo, Porgy and Bess Kornélia Bakos Suor Angelica, Rigoletto Gábor Csiki Les Huguenots, Salome Lucia di Lammermoor, Nabucco, Rigoletto, Salome, Kinga Kriszta Turandot Éva Balatoni Andrea Chénier, Suor Angelica, László Csurka Háry János The Barber of Seville, Turandot Ágnes Anna Kun Suor Angelica, Lucia di Lammermoor, Der Zigeunerbaron, The Marriage of Figaro, János vitéz, Zoltán Daragó L’incoronazione di Poppea, The Fairy Queen Gergely Irlanda Bánk Bán Salome Jenůfa, Cavalleria rusticana, L’incoronazione di Poppea, Jenő Dékán Háry János, Les Huguenots András Káldi Kiss Bánk Bán, Carmen, Der Zigeunerbaron, Béla Laborfalvi Soós Les Huguenots Rigoletto, Salome, The Barber of Seville, The Spinning Room, Attila Dobák La bohème, L’italiana in Algeri, Hunyadi László, La fanciulla del West, Rigoletto, La traviata Boldizsár László Ariadne auf Naxos, Bánk Bán, La traviata L’incoronazione di Poppea, Salome Artúr Kálid Porgy and Bess La bohème, La fanciulla del West, Cavalleria rusticana, Péter Balczó Pagliacci, Bánk Bán, L’oca del Cairo, Nóra Ducza The Marriage of Figaro, The Fairy Queen Péter Kálmán Così fan tutte, Gianni Schicchi, Madama Butterfly, Porgy and Bess, Die Königin von Saba, Lucia di Lammermoor, La fanciulla del West, Porgy and Bess, Sándor Egri La bohème, Madama Butterfly, The Barber of Seville The Tót Family, La traviata Salome Rigoletto, Salome, Turandot Mihály Kálmándy Un ballo in maschera, Gioconda, Gabriella Létay Kiss Pagliacci, La bohème, Gabriella Balga Ariadne auf Naxos, Attila Erdős La fanciulla del West Lucia di Lammermoor, Rigoletto, Tosca Les Huguenots, Manon Lescaut, Porgy and Bess Così fan tutte, Edgar, The Marriage of Figaro, Mária Farkasréti Andrea Chénier, Suor Angelica, Zsófia Kálnay Carmen, Háry János, Cavalleria rusticana Gyöngyi Lukács Turandot Háry János, Les Huguenots, Hunyadi László, Gianni Schicchi, Háry János Vassilis Kavayas L’italiana in Algeri Júlia Magassy Suor Angelica L’italiana in Algeri, The Barber of Seville, La traviata, Attila Fekete Un ballo in maschera, La bohème, Zoltán Kelemen Ariadne auf Naxos, Bánk Bán, Mykhailo Malafii Un ballo in maschera The Magic Flute Hunyadi László, Manon Lescaut, La fanciulla del West Hunyadi László, Cavalleria rusticana, Die Königin von Saba, Gianluca Margheri The Fairy Queen Zoltán Bátki Fazekas Carmen, Die Fledermaus, Attila Fenyvesi Les Huguenots La traviata, Turandot Erika Markovics Suor Angelica, Jenůfa, La traviata Gianni Schicchi, Háry János Beatrix Fodor Edgar, Porgy and Bess, The Magic Flute Márta Kempf Suor Angelica Júlia Megyesi Schwartz Háry János Éva Bátori La fanciulla del West Gabriella Fodor St Matthew Passion, Porgy and Bess Alasdair Kent L’italiana in Algeri Zoltán Megyesi Ariadne auf Naxos, Carmen, Zsuzsanna Bazsinka Suor Angelica Anatoly Fokanov Madama Butterfly, Rigoletto, Tosca, Judit Kerék Les Huguenots St Matthew Passion, Madama Butterfly, Salome, Tosca, László Beöthy-Kiss The Gold and the Woman, La traviata Bori Keszei Gianni Schicchi, L’oca del Cairo, Turandot, The Magic Flute La bohème 2.0, Manon Lescaut Péter Fried Lucia di Lammermoor, L’incoronazione di L’incoronazione di Poppea, L’elisir d’amore, Andrea Meláth Die Fledermaus, Porgy and Bess Gergely Biri Lucia di Lammermoor, L’elisir d’amore Poppea, Die Königin von Saba, Turandot, The Fairy Queen The Fairy Queen Viktória Mester Andrea Chénier, Carmen, Nikoletta Bolya Papp Suor Angelica Máté Fülep Ariadne auf Naxos, Un ballo in maschera, András Kiss Gianni Schicchi, Les Huguenots, L’italiana in Algeri, Rigoletto Gergely Boncsér La bohème, Carmen, Les Huguenots, Hunyadi László, L’oca del Cairo, Manon Lescaut, La fanciulla del West, L’incoronazione di Poppea, Erika Miklósa Carmina Burana, Die Fledermaus, Carmina Burana, Der Zigeunerbaron, Gioconda, Porgy and Bess, La traviata Rigoletto, La traviata, L’elisir d’amore, Turandot Hunyadi László, Rigoletto, La traviata Les Huguenots, Manon Lescaut, Salome, La traviata Géza Gábor Háry János, Il tabarro, La fanciulla del West, Atilla Kiss B. The Gold and the Woman, Jenůfa, Tosca Adrienn Miksch Un ballo in maschera, Csilla Boross Gioconda, Il tabarro Rigoletto Péter Kiss János vitéz, Rigoletto, Salome, Turandot, The Marriage of Figaro Gábor Bretz Carmen, Jenůfa Erika Gál Háry János, Gioconda, Nabucco, The Magic Flute Ágnes Molnár Suor Angelica, Rigoletto Szabolcs Brickner Die Fledermaus, Gianni Schicchi, Die Königin von Saba Tivadar Kiss The Gold and the Woman, Háry János, Levente Molnár Un ballo in maschera, Bánk Bán, L’incoronazione di Poppea Francesco Pio Galasso Carmen Les Huguenots, La fanciulla del West, Porgy and Bess, La bohème, Carmen, Manon Lescaut Mónika Budai-Langermann Suor Angelica, Nabucco Lajos Geiger Andrea Chénier, Bánk Bán, Turandot, The Magic Flute Haris Nadin Suor Angelica Attila Búra Les Huguenots La fanciulla del West, Der Zigeunerbaron, Tamás Kóbor Salome Dániel Viktor Nagy Porgy and Bess Gabriella Busa The Magic Flute Mario and the Magician, Porgy and Bess, The Barber of Klára Kolonits Die Fledermaus, Les Huguenots, Zoltán Nagy Così fan tutte, Háry János Tamás Busa Andrea Chénier, Gianni Schicchi, Seville, L’elisir d’amore, Turandot Lucia di Lammermoor Zsófia Nagy Carmen, L’incoronazione di Poppea, Háry János, Tosca, The Tót Family Zoltán Gradsach The Spinning Room Ildikó Komlósi Suor Angelica, Bánk Bán, The Magic Flute Marcelo Cake-Baly Porgy and Bess Edita Gruberová Lucia di Lammermoor Bluebeard’s Castle, Cavalleria rusticana, Salome Helga Nánási Un ballo in maschera, The Tót Family

214 CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS 215 Judit Németh Bánk Bán Csaba Szegedi Ariadne auf Naxos, Bánk Bán, János Kovács La bohème, La bohème 2.0, Mónika Németh Les Huguenots La bohème, Carmina Burana, The Marriage of Figaro, CONDUCTORS Die Fledermaus, Die Königin von Saba; András Palerdi Bluebeard’s Castle, Lucia di Lammermoor, Manon Lescaut, La fanciulla del West, Opera, ballet and concert conductors An Evening with Juan Diego Flórez, DanceTriptych, Lucia di Lammermoor, Manon Lescaut, Mario and the Cavalleria rusticana, Porgy and Bess, The Barber of Seville V4 Opera Gala Magician, Nabucco, L’italiana in Algeri, Porgy and Bess, Zita Szemere Un ballo in maschera, Bánk Bán, Géza Köteles Billy Elliot - The Musical, Chrysanthemums; The Barber of Seville, The Magic Flute Così fan tutte, L’italiana in Algeri, Puccini Italy Roadshow Polina Pasztircsák Carmen, La traviata L’incoronazione di Poppea, Rigoletto Tibor Bogányi Carmina Burana Francesco Lanzillotta L’italiana in Algeri Gyula Rab Così fan tutte, The Fairy Queen Károly Szemerédy Il tabarro, Porgy and Bess, Salome Paolo Carignani Messa di Gloria Michelangelo Mazza Netrebko & Eyvazov Gala Evening Illés Rácz Il tabarro, Manon Lescaut, La fanciulla del West László Szentimrei Gianni Schicchi Karel Mark Chichon Aria Evening with Elīna Garanča Ádám Medveczky Bánk Bán, Háry János, Tosca, István Rácz Bánk Bán, Carmen, Hunyadi László, János Szerekován Andrea Chénier, Der Zigeunerbaron, Francesco Ciampa Aria Evening with Erwin Schrott Turandot; Zemplén Festival Magic Manon Lescaut, Mario and the Magician, The Marriage of Figaro, Gianni Schicchi, Háry János, Marco Comin Cavalleria rusticana, Pagliacci Pier Giorgio Morandi Aria Evening with Joseph Calleja Rigoletto, Turandot, The Magic Flute Il tabarro, Porgy and Bess, Tosca Ádám Cser L’elisir d’amore Pál Németh L’oca del Cairo Rita Rácz Ariadne auf Naxos, La bohème, Dávid Szigetvári St Matthew Passion Gábor Csiki St Matthew Passion Tamás Pál Bánk Bán, Erzsébet La bohème 2.0, Carmina Burana, The Marriage of Figaro, Tamás Szüle Andrea Chénier, Ariadne auf Naxos, István Dénes La bohème, Carmen, The Marriage of Figaro, Nimrod David Pfeffer Bernstein100 János vitéz, The Fairy Queen La bohème, La bohème 2.0, Die Fledermaus, Porgy and Bess; Opera on Margaret Island Petr Popelka Jenůfa, The Spinning Room Szilvia Rálik Un ballo in maschera, Jenůfa, Nabucco, Gianni Schicchi, Rigoletto, Tosca András Déri The Nutcracker, Sylvia; Yannis Pouspourikas The Fountain of Bakhchisarai La fanciulla del West, Turandot László Szvétek Andrea Chénier, Der Zigeunerbaron, 5th Iván Nagy International Ballet Gala Márton Rácz János vitéz Róbert Rezsnyák János vitéz, La fanciulla del West, The Marriage of Figaro, Háry János, Jenůfa, L’elisir Oliver von Dohnányi Les Huguenots István Silló Billy Elliot - The Musical, Madama Butterfly, Die Königin von Saba, L’elisir d’amore d’amore, Tosca, The Tót Family, Turandot, The Magic Flute Dániel Erdélyi Fedora Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs Rafael Rojas Turandot Bruno Taddia L’italiana in Algeri Alpaslan Ertüngealp Requiems Stefan Soltész Opera135 István Róka Turandot Botond Takács Porgy and Bess Péter Halász Die Frau ohne Schatten, Tosca, The Magic Flute Kálmán Szennai The Merry Widow Dániel Roska Les Huguenots Andrea Tallós Die Fledermaus Zsolt Hamar New Year’s Day at the Erkel Levente Török Háry János Andrea Rost Madama Butterfly, Salome, Tosca, Franz Tscherne Ariadne auf Naxos Máté Hámori Candide, Háry János, Gergely Vajda The Fairy Queen The Magic Flute Viktor Tóth Porgy and Bess Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs Peter Valentovič Lucia di Lammermoor; V4 Opera Gala Orsolya Hajnalka Rőser Bánk Bán, La bohème, Gergely Ujvári Andrea Chénier, Die Fledermaus, János vitéz, Domonkos Héja Der Zigeunerbaron, Giselle, Mayerling, Alberto Veronesi Musical Harvest in Pécs Der Zigeunerbaron, Hunyadi László, Mario and the Magician, Lucia di Lammermoor, Manon Lescaut, La fanciulla del West, Nabucco, Turandot; Barefoot on the Meadow Andriy Yurkevych Three Tenors Porgy and Bess, The Magic Flute Porgy and Bess, L’elisir d’amore, The Spinning Room, Gábor Hollerung The Master and Margarita – live recording Orsolya Sáfár La bohème, La bohème 2.0, La traviata, Turandot József Horváth La rondine Gianni Schicchi, L’italiana in Algeri, Porgy and Bess, Andrea Ulbrich Un ballo in maschera, Jenůfa, Zsolt Jankó The Gold and the Woman, Giselle, The Tót Family The Spinning Room, Turandot Madama Butterfly, The Spinning Room Gábor Káli Edgar DIRECTORS Csaba Sándor La bohème, La bohème 2.0, Júlia Vajda The Tót Family Gergely Kesselyák Suor Angelica, La bohème, Creators of this season’s productions Les Huguenots, The Magic Flute Zita Váradi Suor Angelica, The Gold and the Woman, The Flying Dutchman, Don Quixote, Gianni Schicchi, Atala Schöck Ariadne auf Naxos, Ariadne auf Naxos, La bohème, Carmen, Háry János, Gioconda, Il tabarro, Manon, Nabucco St Matthew Passion, The Spinning Room, Tosca L’oca del Cairo, L’elisir d’amore Balázs Kocsár Andrea Chénier, Ariadne auf Naxos, Gerhard Siegel Salome Éva Várhelyi Háry János, Jenůfa, Lucia di Lammermoor Bánk Bán, La bohème, The Marriage of Figaro, Swan Lake, András Almási-Tóth Porgy and Bess, The Fairy Queen Krisztina Simon Jenůfa, L’italiana in Algeri, Rigoletto, Péter Vida Die Fledermaus Hunyadi László, Jenůfa, Bluebeard’s Castle, Manon Lescaut, Ferenc Anger Suor Angelica, Ariadne auf Naxos, La rondine, La traviata Bernadett Wiedemann Un ballo in maschera, Mario and the Magician, La fanciulla del West, Gianni Schicchi, Gioconda, Il tabarro, La traviata Eszter Sümegi Andrea Chénier, Der Zigeunerbaron, Gianni Schicchi, Gioconda, Il tabarro The Barber of Seville, Simon Boccanegra, The Spinning Room, Vasily Barkhatov La fanciulla del West Gioconda, Die Königin von Saba, Tosca Eszter Zavaros Suor Angelica, Ariadne auf Naxos, La traviata; József Antall25+ Memorial Concert, András Békés The Barber of Seville Tünde Szabóki Ariadne auf Naxos, Háry János, Turandot János vitéz, Jenůfa, Madama Butterfly, Rigoletto, La bohème, Cura and Vargas, Night of Stars, Fabio Ceresa Un ballo in maschera Ildikó Szakács La bohème, Der Zigeunerbaron Die Königin von Saba, L’elisir d’amore 3rd International Éva Marton Singing Competition, Georges Delnon Cavalleria rusticana, Pagliacci Tamás Szalma Háry János Helena Zubinovich Jenůfa Olasz farsangi est Sonya Yonchevával, OperaFüred, Ring Nina Dudek Fedora Andrea Szántó L’incoronazione di Poppea, Géza Zsigmond Andrea Chénier, Les Huguenots, The Tót Family Concerts, World Voice Day, Ybl205, Zemplén Festival Magic, Péter Galambos Bluebeard’s Castle, Porgy and Bess, Rigoletto Orchestra Concert at Carnegie Hall Mario and the Magician Tibor Szappanos The Marriage of Figaro, Hunyadi László, Imre Kollár Études, Sylvia Pas de Deux, Judit Galgóczy The Marriage of Figaro Lucia di Lammermoor, La traviata, The Fairy Queen, Theme and Variations Mária Harangi Rigoletto The Magic Flute

216 CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS 217 Csaba Káel The Gold and the Woman, Die Königin von Zsolt Juhász The Spinning Room, Dance Suite Male Principals Attila Szakács Saba, The Tót Family Gábor Katona L’italiana in Algeri Máté Bakó András Szegő Miklós Gábor Kerényi Madama Butterfly Gergely Csanád Kováts Hunyadi László Gergő Ármin Balázsi Gábor Szigeti Gergely Kesselyák Nabucco Attila Kozma Nabucco Gergely Leblanc Carlos Taravillo Mahillo Balázs Kovalik Turandot Árpád Könczei Bánk Bán Zoltán Oláh Géza M. Tóth St Matthew Passion Jiří Kylián Falling Angels Dmitry Timofeev Character Semi-soloists (female) Damiano Michieletto La bohème 2.0 Harald Lander Études Igor Tsvirko Sára Weisz Kálmán Nádasdy La bohème Leonid Lavrovsky Giselle Viktor Nagy Tosca Jenő Lőcsei Die Fledermaus, Rigoletto Character Principals (female) Character Semi-soloists (male) Pál Oberfrank Carmen Sir Kenneth MacMillan Manon, Mayerling Karina Sarkissova Bálint Katona Sándor Palcsó János vitéz Andrea P. Merlo János vitéz Alekszandr Komarov György Selmeczi Andrea Chénier Michael Messerer Don Quixote Character Principals (male) Máté Szabó Lammermoori Lucia, Manon Lescaut, Gábor Mihályi Der Zigeunerbaron Levente Bajári Corps de Ballet (female) L’italiana in Algeri András Nádasdy Andrea Chénier, The Marriage of Miklós Dávid Kerényi Yuiko Adachi Kriszta Székely L’incoronazione di Poppea Figaro, János vitéz, Jenůfa, The Magic Flute Nika Afonina János Szikora Les Huguenots, Salome Robert North Troy Game Female Soloists Csilla Arany Bálint Szilágyi Chrysanthemums Lilla Pártay Salome Cristina Balaban Yuka Asai Miklós Szinetár Der Zigeunerbaron, Così fan tutte, Die Marius Petipa Don Quixote Ildikó Boros Dorisz Bedő Fledermaus, Rigoletto, The Magic Flute Toer van Schayk Swan Lake Jessica Carulla Leon Jiyoun Chung Tamás Szirtes Billy Elliot – The Musical Csaba Sebestyén Carmina Burana, Così fan tutte, Lili Felméry Nika Kristina Crnić Gábor Szűcs Hunyadi László Les Huguenots, Lammermoori Lucia Adrienn Pap Vivien Csokán Attila Toronykőy L’oca del Cairo, L’elisir d’amore László Seregi The Miraculous Mandarin, Sylvia Dace Radina Edit Darab-Fehér Ádám Tulassay Edgar Csaba Solti Bluebeard’s Castle, Mario and the Magician Louise Ducreux Attila Vidnyánszky Bánk Bán, Háry János, Jenůfa Tamás Solymosi The Nutcracker Male Soloists Lea Földi Michał Znaniecki The Spinning Room Ákos Tihanyi Billy Elliot – The Musical Iurii Kekalo Polen Gezmis Obengül Hans van Manen Five Tangos, Black Cake, Ievgen Lagunov Danielle Gould Trois Gnossiennes Mikalai Radziush Rita Edit Hangya Marianna Venekei Ariadne auf Naxos, The Gold and Adrienn Horányi CHOREOGRAPHERS the Woman, Carmen, Gioconda, Die Königin von Saba, La Female Semi-soloists Futaba Ishizaki Creators of this season’s productions traviata, The Tót Family, A Streetcar Named Desire Artemisz Bakó-Pisla Eszter Kazinczy Rosztyiszlav Zaharov The Fountain of Bakhchisarai Elizaveta Cheprasova Ágnes Kelemen Olga Chernakova Barbara Kerényi Andrea Erdős Anastasiia Konstantinova George Balanchine Sylvia Pas de Deux, Theme and Yuliya Golovyna Anna Krupp Variations BALLET COMPANY Zsófia Gyarmati Kseniia Kulikova Dóra Barta Porgy and Bess Dancers Minjung Kim Yourim Lee Gai Behar Bedroom Folk Diana Kosyreva Eszter Lovisek Rudi van Dantzig Swan Lake Krisztina Pazár Dorottya Medvecz (née Atinay) Wayne Eagling The Nutcracker Enikő Somorjai Anna Melnikova Sharon Eyal Bedroom Folk Female Principals Kristina Starostina Angela Mingardo William Forsythe The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude Alexandra Kozmér Liudmila Mizinova Pál Frenák The Wooden Prince Tatiana Melnik Male Semi-soloists Anri Okada Péter Gemza Háry János Aleszja Popova Dmitry Diachkov Adema Omarova Kasyan Goleizovsky Don Quixote Aliya Tanykpayeva Balázs Majoros Zsuzsanna Papp Alexander Gorsky Don Quixote József Medvecz Gabrielle Patricia Perkins Gyula Harangozó Jr. Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs Boris Myasnikov Tiffany Pesel Anita Johan Inger Walking Mad András József Rónai Rosa Pierro

218 CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS 219 Polina Podolskaya Roland Vékes Johanna Márta Szántó (née Tóth-Kiss) Attila Kovács Ellina Pokhodnykh Ricardo Vila Manzanares Enikő Tury Szilvia Kovács Eszter Pőcze Gabriella Ürmösi Farkas Attila Lukács Lilla Purszki Balázs Mészáros Ágnes Riedl Second Principal violin Antal Molnár Viktória Barbara Rohonczi ORCHESTRA Áron Dóczi Kornélia Sidló Bianka Rotter PatriciaFahidi Jenő Sörös Nadezhda Sorokina Dávid Pintér Balázs Tóth Adrienn Szekeres Nóra Stankowsky Mátyás Török Zsófia Szeregnyi Concertmaster Zsófia Winkler Ilona Szigeti-Scanlon Kelsey Galina Danyilova Second violin tutti Réka Szilágyi-Sári Alexandre Anatolii Dimcevski Zsuzsanna Bákor Solo cello Miyu Takamori Ernő Kállai Anna Bereczky László Pólus Kateryna Tarasova Ágnes Kovács (neé Soltész) Katalin Fenyő Anna Tkeshelashvili Haruka Nagao Ferenc Gazdag Solo cello Emi Uehara Lilla Haraszti (née Gulyás Nagy) Endre Balog Judit Varga First Principal violin Dóra Hargitai Endre Ferenc Stankowsky Annamaria Voltolini Anikó Ecseki Noémi Huszár Éva Mihályi Ádám Kiss Cello tutti Corps de Ballet (male) Imola Rajka Éva Kozári (née Terman) István Balázs Umberto Aragno Magdolna Tomsics (née Závodszky) Orsolya Márton Eszter Baráti Benjamin Zoltán Babácsi Dávid Molnár Hosung Chung Mark James Biocca First Violin tutti Sándor Molnár Ágnes Andrea Czeglédi (née Fodor) German Borsai Anna Bánfalvi Mónika Müller Dóczi Péter Theo Bourg Tamás Bíró Ágnes Nagy János Fejérvári Michele Ciacci Beatrix Bugony Tícia Puskás Béla Gál Gabriele Consoli Hajnalka Csikós Tamás Rigó Erika Kádi Gaetano Cottonaro Sára Katalin Deák Béla Sárközi Dénes Karasszon Pierpaolo D’Amico Péter Foskolos Anna Mária Svantek Gábor Magyar Dénes János Darab Károly Gál Géza Szajkó Anita Miskolczi Dániel Fodor Andrea Haffner András Tallián Domonkos Nagy Péter András Hajdu Éva Hartenstein Ildikó Rönkös Dmitrij Kirejko István Horváth Solo viola Anikó Sabján István Kohári Noémi Huszár Veronika Botos Tibor Wambach Noel Ágoston Kovács Erzsébet Zsuzsanna Hutás Maksym Kovtun Márta Kisfaludy Principal viola Principal double Bass Balázs Krajczár Ibolya Kiss (née Igaz) Anita Inhoff Péter Boldoghy Kummert Gábor Lajti Judit Krisztina Kovács Péter Kondor Péter Bucherna Vladyslav Melnyk Flóra Borbála Kovács-Buizer Dénes Ludmány Alajos H. Zováthi Dávid Molnár Zsuzsa Laskay-Monoki Dávid Hornyák Ryosuke Morimoto Zsófia Maros (née Molnár) Viola tutti Double bass tutti Kristóf Morvai Zita Novák Csaba Babácsi Dinah Hew Sin Ying Gábor Németh László Nyuli Mónika Bán László (née Bódi, Dr.) Péter Kőszegi Takaaki Okajima Éva Paul Gabriella Orsolya Bartis-Gémesi Csaba Magyar Valerio Antonio Palumbo József Rácz Zsuzsanna Belényi Laura McCreery Francesco Sardella Ljudmila Romanovszkaja Blanka Bozzay Attila Miklós Yuya Takahashi Manuéla Simon Éva Kóra Zoltán Miklós

220 CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS 221 László Nyári Ágnes Jandácsik (née Breszka) Third trombone CHORUS Lóránt Patay Aladár Tüske Barnabás Brindás Gábor Szántó Lajos Fülöp First French horn Dávid Sztranyák First flute Péter Locksmith Soprano I Evelin Balog Bálint Tóth Tuba Krisztina Andrássy-Neuenstein Zsófia Katalin Bíró Gábor Tóth Gábor Adamik Gabriella Baukó Zsuzsanna Menyhárt Miklós Wrchovszky Zsuzsanna Bazsinka János Rácz Second French horn Edina Bernáth-Kersák Kata Scheuring András Balogh Timpani Mónika Budai-Langermann Tamás Gáspár Attila Csige Katalin Cserhalmi (née Lénárd) Second flute Lehel Béla Rónai László Béla Juhász Éva Dunai Dóra Ács (née Gjorgjevic) Gábor Szabó Miklós Kovács Gabriella Érdi Zsuzsanna Ittzés Ádám Balázs Maros Szilvia Fehér (née Szentidai, Dr.) Márta Kunszeri Third French horn Irma Háberl Bernadett Nagy Benyus János Pál Percussion Rita Hertelendy Csilla Somodi (née Somogyvári, Dr.) Endrődy Sándor, Dr. András Császár Emese Kovács Flammer István Gusztáv Péter Cser Györgyi Kovács First oboe Attila László Andrea Kozári Nóra Baráth Fourth French horn Gáspár Szente Tünde László József Erős Tamás Melega János Tóth Monika Leblanc Eszter Horváth Zsolt Végh Zoltán Vámosi Györgyi Murár Csenge László Filoretti Óhegyi First trumpet Harp Mrs. Attila Sebes First clarinet Zsolt Czeglédi Emese Virág Bajtala Renáta Seres-Németh Gábor Galavics Bence László Horváth, Dr. Júlia Boros (née Szilvásy) Márta Stefanik Sándor Kiss Tibor Péter Király Ágnes Juhász (née Peták) Beáta Szepessy Balázs Rumy Mihály Könyves-Tóth Katalin Töreky Beáta Várnai Balázs Winkler Klára Vajda Makiko Yoshida Second clarinet Second trumpet Péter Csongár Ferenc Ács Soprano II Zsolt Mersei Tamás János Dávida Györgyi Avvakumovits András Péter Novák Bence Kirsch Katalin Balogh Gergely Parlagi Csaba Nagy Tünde Bognár Csaba Pálfi Tamás Póti Nikoletta Bolya-Pap István Sztán Inez Adrienn Dörgő First bassoon Ilona Erdősi (née Piszter) István Hartenstein First trombone Magdolna Halász (née Adamovits) Zoltán László Kovács Csaba Bencze Éva Hamar Bálint Döme Mohai János Sutyák Nadin Haris Judit Polonkai Tibor Ujj Erika Horváth Katalin Kákay Second bassoon Second trombone Márta Kempf József Bánfi Balázs Kovács Csilla Lengyel Bálint Fábry Róbert Lugosi Linda Magyar László Hunyadi Sándor Szabó Eszter Magyari

222 CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS 223 Ildikó Nagy Mrs. Kálmán Szennai Sándor Dobos Hanyu Bao Mónika Németh Tünde Sziklás Károly Fekete Ernest Bangó Anikó Péter Sylvia Szőnyi Álmos Gyarmati Enikő Barcs Gabriella Szili Orsolya Uitz Péter Illés Éva Zseraldin Bánszky Mária Tempfli Gergely Irlanda Richárd Márk Bede Mrs. Tamás Varga Tenor I István Kristóf Csenge Besenyei Zsuzsanna Zsigmond Imre Ambrus Attila Sándor Ollé Barbara Daniella Bódi András Farkas Zoltán Somogyi Levente Bodó Contralto I János Gál Dávid Tarnai Hanna Liza Borbás Annamária Bócz Zoltán Pál Garamvölgyi Gábor Tóth Czifra Vanessza Chamfrault Péterné Borsányi Zsombor Haraszti Zsolt Trócsányi Laura Melinda Czövek Gabriella Busa István Kéringer Géza Ferenc Zsigmond Borbála Csalog Nóra Csádi Gyula Kovács Jázmin Csorba Diána Döbörhegyi Zoltán Kovács Bass Luca Csörgeő Eszter Márta Forgó András Kozári Péter Balás Krisztina Csubrikova Éva Fülöp Krisztián Gergely Kuthi István Beregszászi Emma Dakó Diána Hajdú György Mann Csaba Deák Nelli Dakó Mrs. Ferenc Halász Márió Matyó Gábor Farkas Márton Dávida Ágota Kádár János Novák János Fátrai Panni Dávida Klára Kneusel-Herdliczka Illés Rácz Sándor Péter Fekete Andrea Roxána Deák Veronika Laskovicz (née Kuzder) Adrián Dániel Roska Attila Fenyvesi András Deim Edit Kata Mátrai Attila Sebők György Gogolyák Zoltán Deim Katalin Réder Zoltán Szabó Dávid Nagy Edina Dénes Julianna Scheili János Tandari Árpád Levente Olcsvári Patrícia Dénes Henrietta Hajnalka Skrabán Atilla Tillai Jenő Schild Nóra Dudás-Szarvas Csilla Sziklás Gergely Ujvári Pál Sebestyén Antónia Éliás Zsuzsanna Takács János Vince László Szentimrei Daniela Engel Katalin Mária Takáts (née Hajdu) Béla Tóth Zsófia Lilla Ercsey Judit Wiedemann Tenor II Csaba Tóth Zsuzsanna Júlia Ercsey Gábor Andrónyi Zoltán G. Tóth Sarolta Fekete Contralto II Imre Bedics Bettina Dzsenifer Foskolos Viktória Terézia Avedikian József Csobolya Diána Foskolos Judit Anna Dévényi Ferenc Herczeg Ramóna Foskolos Anna Viola Farkas Gábor Jenny CHILDREN’S CHOIR Cecilia Briana Földessy Stiegemeier Ágnes Hanuska Ferenc Molnár Mária Anna Földessy Stiegemeier Eszter Heresznyei György Tamás Nótás Gabriella Gajdics Andrea Illés Miklós Reményi Kíra Zsuzsanna Gálbory Beáta Kovács Richárd Rest Anna Katalin Abonyi Dzsesszika Márta Hankó Szabina Kristóf Balázs Somogyi Csaba Botond Abonyi Eszter Róza Haraszti Éva Leszkovszki-Tóth András Gyula Takács Míra Ábrahám Júlia Haraszti Júlia Magassy Árpád Tóth Aletta Borbála Babai Violetta Éva Haraszti Evelin Máthé Dániel Bacsur Tibor Hornyák Ildikó Mónus Baritone Izabella Bakos Dorina Horváth Gabriella Nagy Antal Bakó Olívia Bakos Lídia Huiber Erika Pádár (née Kiss) Sándor Csaba Bartus Anna Bali Berta Júlia Ittzés MonikaPastyik Oreszt Bodnár Sutka Jázmin Balogh Klára Zsófia Ittzés Ágnes Pataki Attila Búra Petra Vivien Balogh Georgina Jenei

224 CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS 225 Dominik Jobbágy Szilvia Diána Sárkány-Vieira Péter Manninger, Dr. Occupational Health and Galatea Anna Kalmár Milán Schweitzer GENERAL DIRECTORATE Safety Physician Lili Kalmár Laura Terézia Sieferer Alexandra Markovics Ticket Distributor Kitti Kaltenecker Robin Stefan Sieferer Zsófia Mendelényi HR Coordinator Máté Gergő Kamarás Melinda Lilla Simondán Júlia Menyhárt Ticket Distributor Anna Karácsonyi Csenge Sitkei-Magyar Szilveszter Ókovács General Director Zsuzsanna Mermeze Box Office Sales Consultant Patricia Kinga Karádi Zsófia Sőreg Virág Főző, Dr. Deputy General Director Gábor Miklós Production Coordinator József Karczagi Sándor Suke András Aczél Head Stage Manager Éva Mikos-Tekker Ticket Distribution Department Manager Rebeka Borbála Kécza Róbert Suke Bettina Angeli Box Office Sales Coordinator György Mikulás Warehouse clerk Hanna Killeen Bence Szabó Franciska Azumah HR Assistant Anett Molnár Production Coordinator Lilian Killeen Dávid Márton Szabó Ágnes Bagi Box Office Sales Consultant Róbert Ádám Nagy Vehicle Fleet/ Jázmin Kirsch-Veszeli Veronika Noémi Szabó József Baráth Box Office Cashier Material Procurement Manager Anna Tímea Kiss Fanni Szalai Attila Béres, Dr. Legal Counsel Miklós Ágoston Nagyszentpéteri Head Usher Helga Kiss Anna Katalin Szász Dorina Bognár Event Organiser Zsófia Nemes Ticket Distribution Department Nikolett Kleineizl Sebestyén Gábriel Személyi Krisztina Mária Bordás Procurement Specialist Deputy Manager Rozi Panna Kótai Domonkos Szilvágyi Krisztina Böröczki HR Facilitator Emőke Nyáguly Artist Coordinator Polína Kozlova Fanni Szlaukó Annamária Csonkaréti Artist Coordinator Réka Anna Pávó Directorate Assistant Virág Vivien Lázók Botond Márton Takács Mónika Farkas Human Resources Management Klára Reiniger Lami, Dr. Legal Specialist Lucrezia Marcotulli Anna Talabér Department Manager Viktória Anna Sándor-Sipos Event Organiser Hanna Vera Mándoki Laura Tímár Szilvia Farkas Procurement Specialist Adrienn Krisztina Schmidt Procurement Facilitator Réka Medveczki Gergely Richárd Tóth Tibor Fazekas Warehouse Supervisor Zsuzsanna Sebők (née Tóth) Box Office Cashier Orsolya Kinga Melis Viktor Tóth Katalin Fehérváry Event Organiser Marina Szabó (née Tamási) Box Office Cashier Lívia Eszter Mester Vivien Tóth Barbara Fejér Medical Assistant Olga Szabó, Dr. jogtanácsos Boróka Mikusi Hanga Anna Vallejos Rita Márta Fejes-Luczás Medical Assistant Krisztina Szarencsev-Dimitrov Box Office Cashier Benjamin Minar-Bacsó Dzsenifer Szilvia Vane Judit Frankó (née Gyaraky, Dr.) Legal Counsel Tamás Szénégető Secretarial Assistant Kyara Liliana Murray Kamilla Beatrix Vane Dóra Kinga Goitein (née Dezséri) Box Office Cashier Béla Szilágyi Head Usher Boglárka Tünde Nagy Sára Vardabasso Ágota Hegedűs Office Administrator András Szomolányi Vehicle Fleet/ Hajnalka Eszter Nagy Virág Napsugár Varga Péter István Horváth Head Internal Auditor Material Procurement Manager Júlia Boglárka Nagy Zsuzsanna Horváth Box Office Cashier Réka Tarnóczi-Harsányi Ticket Distributor Sarolta Nagy Albert Imreh Procurement Specialist Mrs Sándor Tóth Procurement Facilitator Akira Nakayama Enikő Imreh Internal Auditor Erika Tóth (née Zubán) HR Facilitator Lili Hanna Németh István Dezső Kákay Artist Coordinator Enikő Tőkési Directorate Assistant Bernadette Júlia Oppitz Judit Kalauz Box Office Cashier Lejla Török Production assistant Laura Edina Oppitz Mónika Kalmár HR Coordinator Renáta Trajter Directorate Assistant Márton Sebestyén Osztovits Márton Karczag Archive Manager Beáta Trecskó Directorate Assistant Laura Őrfi Xénia Katona-Pecze, Dr. Directorate Assistant Franciska Vecsei (née Hajas, Dr.) Personal Assistant Gréta Papp Dóra Kiss, Dr. Procurement Department Manager Noémi Vörös-Bak, Dr. International Coordinator Panni Tara Paschall Rita Kiss Event Organiser Dalma Závodszky Production Assistant Barnabás Pál Noémi Kiszely, Dr. Erkel Programme Office Manager Eszter Pál Krisztina Koncz Production Coordinator Sára Pigniczki Zsófia Kovács, Dr. Chief Legal Counsel Dorottya Pintér Beáta Kuczka Head of Event Organisation Department ARTISTIC DIRECTORATE Nikolett Rácz Lilla Kuczka Event Organiser Petra Boglárka Rácz Csilla Kun Box Office Cashier Gréta Virág Rákóczi Emese Zsófia Kurcz Ticket Distributor Orsolya Richter Dóra Láving Box Office Cashier Ferenc Anger művészeti igazgató Elina Rohonczi Tamás Lisznai Copyright Administrator Rita Bányai főPrompter

226 CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS 227 Dóra Borbély (née Sezanyi) Artist Coordinator Kálmán Szennai Head Répétiteur Gábor Áprily Lighting Technician László Csányi Stage Manager PRINCIPAL MUSIC Katalin Anna Szirtes Répétiteur Erzsébet Auer Maintenance Technician Ilma Dóra Császár Cultural Manager Csaba Tóth Sámuel Répétiteur József Attila Babusa Set Carpenter Andrea Dávid Artist Coordinator DIRECTORATE Margit Váraljai-Bátki Artist Coordination Secretary Tamás Bácskai Props and Furniture Stagehands Dóra Érsek Prompter Erika Vasvári Artist Coordinator András Bálint Set Carpenter Balázs Fehér Stage Manager Amelie Weidinger Artist Coordinator Demeter András Bálint Mechanic Gábor Fias Stage Manager Dóra Zech Head Music Archivist Ferenc Balla Decorator Tibor Gusztáv Frigyesi Artistic Assistant Balázs Kocsár Principal Music Director Balázs Péter Balog Decorator Szilvia Gábor Artistic Assistant László Bartal Répétiteur András Balogh Assistant Decorator Lóránt Gazsik Stage Manager Ivánné Benedek Bookbinder Bernadett Balogh Assistant Dresser Mária Harangi Artistic Assistant Balázs Bessenyei Artist Coordinator BALLET DIRECTORATE Gabriella Balogh Dresser Tamás Herzog Supernumeraries Organiser Valéria Anna Csányi Music Archive Musical Consultant József Balogh Decorator Jerne Horváth Artist Coordinator Gábor Csiki Chorus director Mihály Bandi Lighting Technician Boglárka Kalmus Artist Coordinator Melinda Csongárné Bődi Music Archive Musical Consultant Róbert Sándor Bánházi Decorator/Control System Manager Judit Kenesey Dramaturg Erika Dallos Répétiteur Tamás Solymosi Ballet Director István Bánrévi Decorator Katalin Kovács Assistant Director Gábor Devich Orchestra Director Roland Csonka Artist Coordination Secretary Csaba Sándor Bányai Maintenance Technician Carpenter Krisztián Attila Kovács Assistant Director Katalin Doman Répétiteur Éva Gabriella Füzi (née Baranya) Artist Coordinator Erzsébet Ildikó Bányai Women’s Costume Fabricator Mária Anna Kovács Assistant Director Julianna Egressy Music Archivist Éva Hajnal Répétiteur Izabella Barabás Dresser Judit Kováts Andrea Head Artistic Assistant Dániel Erdélyi Chorusmaster Eszter Kiss Artist Coordinator Dániel Zoltán Baranyi Assistant Decorator Fruzsina Borbála Körmendi Assistant Director Andrea Joy Fernandes Répétiteur Angéla Mária Kövessy Ballet Master Baranyi Krisztina Assistant Dresser Katalin Lázár Assistant Director Károly Gjorgjevic Music and Instrument Handler György Lázár Répétiteur Szilvia Barna Dresser Gábor Lengyel Prompter Nikolett Hajzer Chorusmaster of the Children’s Chorus György Leányvári Audio and Video Technician Éva Báró Wigmaker Csilla Lenhardt (née Zsilavecz) International Specialist Pálma Hidegkuti Répétiteur Edit Marosi Ballet Master Péter Tamás Báró Painter Márton Magyar Stage Manager Franciska Hillier Artist Coordinator Gabriella Milković International Cultural Manager Gergely Barta Painter Magyar Orsolya Assistant Director Orsolya Imre Assistant to the Director Nagyezsda Ronavári Répétiteur János Bartha IT Department Head Albert Mányik Assistant Director Natasa Janklovics Artist Coordinator Ágnes Katalin Sárközy-Holler Artist Coordination Szilvia Bartók Cleaner Magdolna Mészáros Prompter Balázs Dénes Kálvin Répétiteur Secretary Péter János Bartucz Assistant Decorator Melánia Miklós Dramaturg Hedvig Ildikó Károly Chorus Secretary László Schnitzler Audio and Video Technician Nikolett Basahidi-Bodnár Wigmaker Krisztián Nagy Head Supernumeraries Organiser Gergely Kesselyák Principal Conductor Szonja Ilona Stella Cultural Manager Nikolett Bati Costume Fabricator Judit Niklai Assistant Director Boldizsár Kiss Répétiteur Zsófia Szabó Artist Coordinator Zsófia Bazsó Assistant Dresser Ágnes Nyilassy international Specialist Krisztina Kiss Artist Coordinator Zsanna Vaszilenkó Répétiteur Péter Bekő IT Technician Eszter Orbán Dramaturg Attila Péter Kopasz Masseur Marianna Venekei első Ballet Master Attila Benedek Head Men’s Costume Fitter Beáta Pintér Dramaturg Ágnes Kovács Répétiteur Anna Eszter Zeller International Cultural Manager Dávid Benke Assistant Decorator Richárd Pál Sipos Stage Manager Áron Kovács Music and Instrument Handler Eszter Benkő Assistant Dresser Edit Somogyi Artist Coordination Secretary Géza Köteles Répétiteur Mária Benkő (née Micheller) Men’s Costume Fabricator Emese Soós Artist Coordination Secretary Dávid Gergely Mákos Music and Instrument Handler Brigitta Benkucs (née Kántor) Shoe Upper Fabricator Tibor Stefán Stage Manager Julianna Martin Music Archivist TECHNICAL DIRECTORATE Szabolcs Berei Lighting Technician Vilmos Szabó Head Stage Manager Robin Megyesi Music Archive Musical Consultant Tamás Bertha Head Painter Dóra Szanka Artist Coordinator Éva Mencser Artist Coordinator László Bertók Caretaker Zsuzsanna Szeőke Supernumeraries Organiser Szilvia Mikó Répétiteur Zoltán Barna Biás Assistant Dresser Anna Szilágyi (née Barcsák) Prompter László Adrián Nagy Répétiteur László Abonyi Decorator Béla Attila Binges Maintenance Technician Carpenter Zsófia Tímár Dramaturg Péter József Oberfrank Répétiteur Judit Beáta Ábrahám (née Bojtár) Dresser Andrea Ilona Biró Painter Erika Tóth Artistic Assistant Gyula Pfeiffer Répétiteur Richárd János Alexa Men’s Costume Fabricator Nóra Biró szcenikus Judit Török (née Komódi) Prompter Richárd Szilárd Riederauer Chorusmaster Tamás Alexa Decorator Sára Krisztina Bíró Women’s Costume Fabricator Ágnes Vághelyi (née Szóka) Stage Manager Márton Szabó Music and Instrument Handler Ágnes Ambrus (née Rálik) Dresser Kinga Bittsánszky (née Mohari) Women’s Costume Fitter Bence Vasdinnyey Stage Manager Zoltán Szabó Music and Instrument Handler Dénes Antal Assistant Decorator Gergely Bódis Decorator Mihály Zemlényi Stage Manager Attila Szász Music and Instrument Handler Enikő Aponyi Costume Fabricator Sándor Bodzsár Decorator

228 CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS 229 László Bokros Shoemaker László Földvári Costume Painter Gábor Hüttl Head Audio Technician Gabriella Kiss (née Weiner) Costume Fabricator Sándor Bóné Props Warehouse Manager János Sándor Franzoni Stoker (Mechanic) Brigitta Zsófia Illés Men’s Costume Fitter Joel Klein Szabolcs Costume Warehouse Manager Bence Borda Decorator János Freiberger Stoker (Mechanic) Erika Ilyés Set Seamstress Judit Koc Men’s Costume Fabricator Tamás Borda Decorator/Flyman János Fresli Set Carpenter Sándor Ivády Maintenance Technician Locksmith Éva Kócsák Scenic Administrator Zoltán Borics Set Carpenter Ildikó Fresli (née Szabó) Set Seamstress Sándor Iván Stoker (Mechanic) Barnabás Kocserha Dresser András Both Lighting and Audio Warehouse Manager Attila Füleki Set Locksmith Erzsébet Jacsó Operations Secretary Viktor Kolyvek Decorator Attila Brindza Decorator/Control System Manager Zoltán Gál Stage Engineer András Jäger Props and Furniture Stagehands Péter Kónya Props and Furniture Stagehands Katalin Brózik Costume Fabricator István Galántai Decorator Gusztáv András Jancsó Lighting Technician Barbara Kósa Hairdresser Gabriella Bukovinszky (née Miskolczy) Sculptor Ágnes Klára Gál (née Hugyecz) Costume Fabricator Zsolt Jócsik Assistant Decorator Mihály Kósa Decorator Andrea Kinga Cucer Men’s Costume Fabricator Edina Galyas Assistant Dresser János Jolsvai Decorator Attila Kovács Decorator/Control System Manager Ilona Viktória Czibere Assistant Hairdresser Géza Galyas Set Locksmith Anka Józsa Architect Erika Kovács Hairdresser László Czigner Head Caretaker Attila Gáspár Plumber Olivér Józsa Assistant Lighting Technician Ferenc Zoltán Kovács Props and Furniture Stagehands Gyöngyi Csilla Cs. Tóth Head Women’s Costume Fitter Zoltán Gergely Decorator Gábor Juhász Decorator István Kovács Decorator Zsolt Csapó Decorator/Flyman Krisztina Gérnyi Dresser Tamás Zoltán Juhász Assistant Dresser József Kovács Head Mechanic Flóra Csépányi Milliner Pál Gábor Gilicza Decorator Péter Géza Jutasi Maintenance Technician Electrician Klaudia Kovács Dresser Szabolcs Csillik Decorator Tamás Gorzó Decorator Tamás Kálóczi Decorator Kolos Kovács IT Technician Béla Tamás Csizmazia Decorator/Fly Master Barbara Gosztony Hairdresser Tibor István Kaltenecker Dresser Krisztián Gábor Kovács Props and Furniture Stagehands Gergely Csonka Assistant Props and Furniture Stagehands Attila Göblyös Deputy Caretaker Ildikó Andrea Kapalyag-Princz Men’s Costume Mária Kovács Painter Lilla Csukás (née Huszár) Costume Administrator Béla Gömöri Props and Furniture Stagehands Fabricator Norbert Kovács Decorator Katalin Darányi Men’s Costume Fabricator Balázs Göncöl Lighting Technician Zsolt Kálmán Kapás Decorator Noémi Kovács (née Benedek) Dresser János Daróczi Electrician Zsuzsanna Beatrix Greiner (née Teési-Vass) István Kapusi Set Carpenter Ilona Julianna Kovács (née Szedlár) Dresser Andrea Dezső Set Seamstress Men’s Costume Fabricator László Karászi Maintenance Technician Painter Mária Enikő Kovics Dresser Vilmos Dibusz Painter László István Gulyás-Szabó Maintenance Zsuzsanna Klára Karsay Dresser József Kőműves Stage Master Ferenc Domozi Costume Administrator Technician Painter Nikolett Kató Hairdresser Viktória Kőműves Office Administrator János Döbrei Stoker (Mechanic) Ferenc Guzsván Assistant Decorator Sándor Kató Maintenance Technician Carpenter Mária Krisán Erika Dresser Győző Duba Decorator/Control System Manager Jennifer Gyenes Hairdresser Ferenc Benjámin Katona Assistant Hairdresser Mrs. Tibor Ferenc Kuhár Women’s Costume Fabricator Zsuzsanna Ecet Maintenance Technician Krisztina Gyovai Assistant Dresser Magdolna Kelemen Costume Administrator Ilona Kul Women’s Costume Fitter Mrs. Csaba Erdei Men’s Costume Fabricator Zsolt Győr Men’s Costume Fabricator Zsolt Keleight Control Technicianmen Lighting Franciska Kump (née Kis) Costume Fabricator Attila Erdős Props and Furniture Stagehands Antal Hajdu Head Lighting Technician Technician Vilibald Kun Stage Master Péter Mihály Erdős Audio Technician Vivien Mária Harmati Dresser Ferenc Kemerle Props and Furniture Stagehands Gábor Kutasi Lighting Technician Gergely Fábián Props and Furniture Stagehands Tibor Hárshegyi Maintenance Technician Electrician Henrietta Kemerle Dresser Dávid László Dresser Mrs. János Fábián Men’s Costume Fabricator Anasztázia Hataier Women’s Costume Fabricator Ferenc Kerekes Lighting Technician Doru László Painter Fábiánné Budai Tímea Erzsébet Dresser Botond Hegedüs Props and Furniture Stagehands Szilárd Kerekes Mechanic Zsolt László Decorator Ferenc Fáczán Maintenance Technician Mrs. Endre Péter Herczeg Costume Fabricator László Kerepesi Decorator László Laukó Stoker (Mechanic) Dénes Faragó Decorator Szabolcs Herfert Light Control Technician Annamária Kéri (née Székely) Painter/ Mária Lauter Costume Fabricator Tamás Faragó Maintenance Department Manager Viktor Hideg Assistant Decorator Ornamental Painter István László Lázár Deputy Caretaker Zsófia Farkas Milliner Péter Hipszki IT Technician Attila Károly Kernács Lighting Technician Edit Gabriella Leéb Dresser Judit Farkas (née Szabari) Women’s Costume Fabricator Pál Hlovoska Hairdresser Bence Kertész Audio Technician Zsigmond Leidl Dresser-Maintenance Technician Éva Fazekas Milliner Réka Homolyová Hairdresser László Kertész Decorator Tibor Lénárd Head Light Control Technician Ádám Fejes Maintenance Technician Electrician Hunor Horog Assistant Decorator Zoltán Keserű Shoemaker Gábor Lencsés IT Technician György Fejes Technician Dóra Horvárth Assistant Dresser Bozóki Tünde Királyné Costume Fabricator Károly Lengyel Decorator Zsófia Fekete (née Tirbusz) Hairdresser Béla Horváth Stage Master Erika Király-Szabady Dresser Piroska Lengyel (née Bari) Deputy Caretaker Sándor Fenesi Decorator Csaba István Horváth Maintenance Technician Carpenter Gyöngyi Valéria Kiss Hairdresser Éva Libor Shoemaker Szabolcs Ferenczi Assistant Dresser Imre Horváth Set Carpenter Gyula Kiss Decorator Dániel Lokár Decorator László Fericián Painter János Horváth Lighting Technician István Kiss Maintenance Technician Mónika Lovas (née Kótai) Dresser Tamás Filák Lighting Technician Zoltán Horváth Decorator János Kiss Set Carpenter Katalin Lovász Dresser Gábor Fintor Men’s Costume Fitter Andrea Hronyán Lighting Technician László Kiss Decorator Mrs. Árpád Lőrincz Dresser Zoltán Fokta Caretaker Katalin Huszti Props and Furniture Stagehands Szintia Kiss Assistant Dresser Emil Lucsik Props and Furniture Stagehands

230 CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS 231 Tamás Lugosi Receptionist/Switchboard Operator Katalin Nagy Women’s Costume Fabricator Zsófia Ágnes Radnai Assistant Dresser László Szebenszki Decorator Edit Luka Financial and Materials Manager Lajos Nagy Decorator Donát Rajnai Decorator Márton Székely Props and Furniture Stagehands Gábor Lukács Lighting Technician Vitold Nagy Decorator/Flyman Péter Rápich Maintenance Technician Gábor Szekeres Props and Furniture Stagehands Attila Lukácsi Props and Furniture Stagehands András György Nagy-Eiben Set Locksmith Katalin Ildikó Récsi Women’s Costume Fabricator Éva Szemerei Women’s Costume Fabricator Katalin Márta Lukács (née Fürtös, Dr.) Hairdresser György Tamás Nagypál Lighting Technician Krisztina Reich (née Várszegi) Costume Fabricator Bernadett Széplaki Wigmaker Eszter Magyar Assistant Dresser Tamás Nánási Props and Furniture Stagehands Coordinator Zita Ágota Szeredi Scenic Administrator Julianna Major Costume Fabricator Tünde Naszvadi (née Vasadi) Costume Fabricator Ferenc Rekenei Head Costume Fitter János Szick Head Set Carpenter Károly Major Men’s Costume Fitter Sándor Nemes Decorator Miklós Resz Scenic Artist Gyula Szigethy Sculptor Mariann Makláry Hairdressing Supply Manager Mrs. József Német Women’s Costume Fabricator Gábor Réthy Decorator Zoltán Szikszai Decorator Renáta Mán Dresser István Németh Audio Technician Gábor Révész Decorator Zoltán Tamás Szikszai Assistant Decorator József Mandl Decorator Timea Németh Dresser Simkó Dóra Ritzné Hairdresser Ivett Szilágyi fényszabályzó-vezető Zoltán György Marczy Maintenance Technician Carpenter Balázs Neruda Decorator/Control System Manager Enikő Rostás Dresser Ágnes Szilvási Hairdresser László Markos Props and Furniture Stagehands Andrea Noszkó-Horváth Directorate Assistant Gábor Sáfrán Electrician Pál Szinvai Sculptor Márton Marót Assistant Audio Technician Mrs. Árpád Nyerges Scenic Administrator Ferenc Sági Maintenance Technician Locksmith Tamás Szmerek Assistant Dresser András Martincsák Decorator Naómi Ibolya Nyiri Dresser Ferenc Sáránszki Head Electrician László Szoták Dresser Tamás Martini Stage Engineer István József Olácsi Light Control Technician István Sárkány Stage Master Iván Szubin Head Dresser János Matuz Head Audio Technician János Oláh Men’s Costume Fitter Roland András Sárosi Decorator János Gábor Szuda Set Carpenter Mária Medve Dresser Zsófia Orlóci Men’s Costume Fabricator Imre Schaul Decorator/Flyman Ferenc Tamás Stoker (Mechanic) Richárd Meixler Decorator Zoltán Osztolykán Maintenance Technician Electrician Kinga Schmidt-Kámán Set Seamstress István Tamás Maintenance Technician Endre Mészáros Upholsterer István Ősz Decorator Dániel Schnitzler Decorator János Tamási Lighting Technician Tibor Mészáros Dresser Zoltán Pál Audio Technician Attila Selyem Head Set Locksmith Brigitta Erzsébet Tatár-Marin Set Seamstress Zsolt Mészáros Mechanic Mrs. László Palágyi Women’s Costume Fitter István Senkó Lighting Technician József Teklovics üdülőCaretaker Gyenes Ilona Mészárosné Dresser Szilvia Pálinkás Assistant Dresser Emese Seregi Women’s Costume Fabricator János Topor Set Carpenter Annamária Mezőfi Set Seamstress Lilla Panyik Tóth Head Lighting Technician Attila Siági Set Locksmith-Welder Zoltán Topor Bus Chauffeur Ágnes Mittelholcz Costume Fabricator István Papp Lighting Technician Gábor Skultéti Head Props and Furniture Stagehands Nóra Tordai Dresser Fanni Viktória Molnár Costume Fabricator József Papp Decorator Nóra Somlai Dresser Attila Tóth Maintenance Technician Electrician Ferenc Molnár Set Locksmith-Welder József Papp Assistant Decorator József Somogyi Maintenance Technician Electrician Imre Tóth Set Carpenter Gergely Ákos Molnár Props and Furniture Stagehands Zsolt Pasa Decorator Erzsébet Spanyol Dresser Mónika Tóth Head Milliner Jenő Molnár Stoker (Mechanic) Zoltán Dávid Pataki Decorator Zsuzsanna Stári Set Seamstress Norbert Tóth Assistant Decorator József Molnár Set Locksmith-Welder Gyula Pauscher Head Shoemaker Tibor Stefaich Assistant Dresser Sándor János Tóth Assistant Lighting Technician Judit Molnár Assistant to the Director Károly Péntek Maintenance Technician Electrician Szilvia Suga Hairdresser Zoltán Tóth Props and Furniture Stagehands Krisztina Molnár Dresser Adorján Pentz Decorator Erika Sugta Milliner Hedvig Tölgyszéki-Pap Women’s Costume Fabricator Jenes Katalin Molnárné Women’s Costume Fabricator Dániel Pergel Lighting Technician István Suhajda Assistant Decorator Szilvia Tuba Shoemaker Gyula Mórocz Dresser Zoltán András Pérk Decorator István Ferenc Süle Maintenance Technician Electrician Gabriella Turtegin Dresser Barbara Irma Morzsa Dresser András Petelen Props and Furniture Stagehands Eszter Szabados Costume Administrator Imre Tibor Ujj Assistant Decorator Mrs. József Mravik Women’s Costume Fabricator Marianna Petke Decorator/Control System Manager Péter Szabó Maintenance Technician Mrs. Imre Tibor Ujj Dresser-Maintenance Technician Bence Mucsi Assistant Dresser György Róbert Petrányi Dresser Sándor Szabó Men’s Costume Fabricator Márton Uzsaly Painter Miklós Mucsi Head Lighting Technician Tamás Pillinger Lighting Technician Veronika Erzsébet Szabó Dresser-Maintenance Technician Gábor Vad Technical Engineer Mária Antónia Mucsi (née Kovács) Dresser Szilvia Podhorszki Dresser Zoltán Szabó Set Carpenter Zsuzsanna Vadászi Costume Fabricator József Muladi Dresser József Poszt Lighting Technician Zoltán Gábor Szabó Props and Furniture Stagehands Szilvia Vagányi (née Füzesi) Women’s Costume Fabricator Erika Erzsébet Muschici Costume Fabricator Attila Potyka Decorator Mrs. Zoltán Szabó Hairdresser András Vágó Decorator Axel Muth Assistant Lighting Technician Nándor Pungor Set Carpenter Veronika Szakács Dresser József Vajda Decorator András Nagy Decorator József Pyka Stage and Electrical Maintenance Technician Olivér Szakál Decorator Gábor Valek Mechanic Anna Emőke Nagy Surtitles Zoltán Rab Lighting Technician Gábor Zoltán Szántai Shoemaker Gergely Várda Stage Master Béla Nagy Dresser Csaba Sándor Rácz Decorator Norbert Szarvas Props and Furniture Stagehands István Varga Props and Furniture Stagehands Dániel Nagy Stoker (Mechanic) Márk Radics Props and Furniture Stagehands Mrs. József Szász Set Seamstress István József Varga Plumber Gábor Nagy Dresser Sándorné Radics Cleaner Péter Szász Lighting Technician Kornél Varga Props and Furniture Stagehands József Nagy Decorator Mrs. László Radnai Dresser-Maintenance Technician Zoltán Szatmári Stoker (Mechanic) Róbert Varga Props and Furniture Stagehands

232 CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS 233 Zoltán Varga Decorator BUSINESS DIRECTORATE Zoltán Vass Decorator Antal Végh Stage Master Ferenc Krisztián Veréb Decorator Andor Veres Painter Beáta Veresné Jakubovics Men’s Costume Fitter Mária Apkó Accounting Facilitator Csilla Veszprémi Milliner Mrs. Sándor Bende Financial Facilitator Anna Mária Villányiné Szántó Head Wigmaker Krisztina Cziráki (née Mátrai) Financial Facilitator Sándor Zsolt Vincze Maintenance Technician Electrician Mrs. Tibor István Csik Payroll Administrator Gábor Viszkok Set Carpenter Orsolya Ágnes Dér Accounting Department Manager Krisztina Vlasicsné Elbert Dresser-Maintenance Technician Katalin Egri Financial Facilitator Marcell Vörösmarty-Stefán Lighting Technician Anikó Egyed Accounting Facilitator Lívia Zsuzsanna Weigand Costume Fabricator Tünde Éva Fodor (née Szabó) Accounting Facilitator Workshops Manager Krisztina Funtha Accounting Facilitator Mrs. Gábor Zoltán (née Zaicsek) Dresser Katalin Grosz (née Kovács) Financial Facilitator Miklós Zálogh Assistant Dresser Edit Gulyás Payroll Administrator Ottó Zeffer Decorator Ildikó Hajnóczi Registrar Balázs Péter Zeke Maintenance Technician Carpenter Erika Halász (née Szmola) Payroll Administrator Sándor Zöldi Maintenance Technician Locksmith Krisztina Herczeg (née Kovács) Financial Facilitator Zsolt Zsindely Lighting Technician Balázs Husztik Payroll Specialist László Zsupkó Assistant Dresser Rita Kelemen (née Surányi) Financial Facilitator Viktória Kósá (née Kurucz) Assistant to the Director Mrs. László Kovács Accounting Facilitator Rita Liebhauser Payroll Administrator MARKETING AND Mrs. János Moldován Accounting Facilitator Géza József Nagy Office Assistant COMMUNICATION Tibor Pap Accounting Facilitator Katalin Pap (née Kiss) Financial Facilitator DIRECTORATE Ágnes Proszammer Payroll Administrator Gábor Sári HR-controller Klára Simon (née Gebri) Accounting Facilitator Nikolett Szabó Accounting Facilitator Monika Turkovics, Dr. Director of marketing and Communication Alexandra Éva Száraz Human Resources Boglárka Erdei Marketing Project Manager Management Department Manager Zoltán Ficsor Event Marketing Project Manager Mrs. József Szatmári Head Financial Facilitator Viktória Filip Copywriter, Communication Manager Szilvia Szilágyi Registrar Zsanett Gerliczki Event Marketing Manager Krisztina Éva Tóth (née Pogrányi) Controller Zsuzsanna Gulyás Marketing and Communication Ildikó Gyöngyi Trégel (née Vincze) Office Assistant Project Manager Éva Mária Varga, PhD. Registrar Melitta Gyüdi Protocol Officer, OperaClub Manager Anna Vogyerák (née Reményi) Accounting Facilitator Jozefa Iványi Museologist, Archive Manager Ilona Zajacz Financial Facilitator György Jávorszky International Communication Project Manager Tamás Mákos Communication Manager Dániel Mona Copywriter, Communication Manager Orsolya Nagyhegyesi Online Marketing Project Manager Norbert Nagy MarketingManager András Oláh Communication Project Manager

234 CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS CALENDAR 18-19 THE ARTISTS 235 OPERATIC EMPIRE THE OPERA HOUSE ERKEL THEATRE The Ybl Palace on Andrássy Avenue II. János Pál Pápa Square

Hungary’s first opera house, and still the only one The theatre with the largest number of seats in Hungary, to be built in the country, was inaugurated after and even in Central Europe, was formerly known as the almost 15 years under construction on 27 September Népopera (People’s Opera). It was built in less than nine 1884. Only Hungarian artisans were allowed to work months on a plot donated by Budapest in 1911. During on its construction, using Hungarian technology the colourful history of the private enterprises that ran and Hungarian materials – with a few exceptions – the business, operas, concerts, operettas, ballets, jazz according to the patriotic regulations of the Board of concerts, dramatic plays, cabarets and musicals were Public Works of the Capital City. Miklós Ybl’s Neo- staged here, as well as boxing matches, fashion shows Renaissance building immediately became a landmark and party conferences. The theatre even operated as a of Budapest, and is still the second most visited and cinema and entertainment venue. Initially, the venue the most important representative public building had 3400 seats, but due to the introduction of stricter after the Parliament. At the time of its closure in June fire prevention regulations and a more comfortable 2017, its auditorium had a capacity of 1236 and the seating layout, the capacity has since been reduced venue ranked among the world’s top opera houses. to 1819, but it still preserves its leading position and The largest secco in Hungary can be seen here: legendary acoustics, and, with extra chairs, it can be Károly Lotz painted the apotheosis of music in a enlarged to comfortably fit 2000. The Városi (City) painting with a perimeter of 45 metres on the ceiling, Theatre, which was renamed the Erkel Theatre in 1951, with excellent Hungarian artists simultaneously has been operated by the Hungarian State Opera since working in other rooms, including Bertalan Székely, 1949. Reiner, Toscanini, Furtwängler, Fricsay, Mór Than, Árpád Feszty and György Vastagh. Gardelli, Ferencsik and Bernstein have conducted The most famous guest singer was Enrico Caruso here and the greatest tenors, di Stéfano, Aragall, and several world premieres of Hungarian works were Carreras, Gedda, Pavarotti and Domingo have sung staged inside these historic walls (Bluebeard’s Castle, on its stage, as have Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington Háry János, The Spinning Room, The Wooden Prince, and Oscar Peterson. The theatre was closed down King Pomade’s New Clothes, Blood Wedding, C’est la in 2007, but reopened in 2013 after several months guerre, and Mario and the Magician). of refurbishment. Ever since, it has been operating as The Opera House was last refurbished between 1980 an affordable theatre for Hungarian opera and ballet and 1984. Scheduled work to modernise the building lovers, and this is the place where we nurture our has been underway since summer 2017. In addition to future audiences. Folk dance and high-quality pop general restoration work, all the stage machinery and music productions appear here, too, as do opera and mechanical and electrical systems will be replaced, ballet performances from other companies. Almost several rooms will be given new functions, the one million guests have been through the doors since acoustics will be improved, the historical layout of the the reopening, and they can now come to the theatre stalls will be restored and the orchestra pit expanded. by underground too. During the renovation of the In addition, smart seats will improve audience Opera House, the Erkel Theatre will host most of the comfort, low-voltage wiring will be installed and the productions of the “Puccini’s Italy” season. We plan limestone façade will also be renewed. to carry out substantial renovation work on the Erkel Theatre to make its stage equivalent to that of the Opera House in 2021/22, so the venue will remain in operation until 31 December 2020.

238 CALENDAR 18-19 OPERATIC EMPIRE CALENDAR 18-19 OPERATIC EMPIRE 239 EIFFEL ART STUDIOS ORCHESTRAL CENTRE ADMINISTRATIVE Kőbányai Road Jókai Street BUILDING Hajós Street

The largest indoor complex in Hungarian railway The centre where the triple-sized orchestra of the Opera, history, a system of vast covered spaces unique in the first and largest philharmonic ensemble in Hun- Europe, and the Northern Railway Maintenance and gary, rehearses for performances, galas and its own Before the refurbishment of the Opera House in Engineering works was built between 1884 and 1886. concerts, is located in Jókai Street near the , not 1980, a 12-storey building was constructed opposite As activities on the 22 hectare site ceased in 2009, the government offered 6.7 hectares of the area to the far from the Opera House. The building, which used to the artists’ entrance in Hajós Street. The building, Opera together with the five-nave core repair complex function as the headquarters of a trade union, has been with its more than 4,000 square metres, was built in of 22,000 square metres, named after Gustave Eiffel, managed by our institution since 2004 and is scheduled place of a demolished tenement, and it houses several two auxiliary buildings, and a complete train station. for refurbishment in the summer of 2019. According offices, dressing rooms and rehearsal rooms of the The rehearsal, production and storage centre for the to the Opera Development Programme, in addition to institution. The chorus rooms of the Hungarian State opera is being built here where the Bánffy Stage, with the spacious Ferencsik Hall in the building, the Failoni Opera Chorus and the Children’s Chorus can be an auditorium with 400 seats, will be constructed Chamber Hall will also be operated by the orchestra. found here, and the Opera House is heated from the to include a rehearsal stage of the same size as the stage of the Opera House and a music studio suitable The building houses the offices and archives of the Bu- boilers located on the top floor of the Administrative for recordings. In addition to moving all of its nine dapest Philharmonic Society, and – according to further Building. The heating and cooling systems of the production workshops, all of its sets, costumes and acquisition plans – rehearsal rooms of several hundreds building, constructed in 1979, are extremely poor, props here, the institution will also create a memorial of square metres will also be built on the premises. the equipment is outdated and its refurbishment, the room for János Feketeházy, the designer of both renewal of its façade and the change of function of this building and the Opera House’s iron skeleton. some of its rooms, are important parts of the Opera’s The Eiffel Hall, which was large enough to repair up modernisation programme. A special feature of the to 96 huge steam locomotives at a time, will house a restaurant (in a vintage railway car made of teak), Administrative Building is its connection to the Opera where guests can marvel at the legendary No. 327,.141 House by a tunnel under Hajós Street, which provides Hungarian steam locomotive in the atrium and the a safer route for transporting musical instruments No. 006 “Biatorbágy” steam locomotive of the 301 OPERA SALES CENTRE and, in rainy and cold weather, a more comfortable series in the park. There will also be a costume rental Hajós Street way to reach the other building. Fireworks to celebrate shop and a visitor centre. The training centre for the the New Year are let off from its more than 30-metre- Opera will be established here too, comprising the high roof every year. Opera Studio, the Opera Music School and the Opera Education Center. The production studios will also When this publication went to press, the Hungarian function as a practical training centre, as we would Opposite the side entrance in Hajós Street, there is a State Opera had no choice but to rent property like to train future generations of professionals in block of flats designed by Miklós Ybl with for its shoe workshop (Révai Street), one of the the ways of theatre production ourselves. A car park Károly Lotz’s frescos under the entrance. The dressmaker’s shops (Kenyérmező Street), the prop with a capacity for 200 vehicles will be built next to a opera has been renting spaces in the building for storeroom (Lázár Street) and all the set storerooms park of three hectares where the famous viticulturist some time, and in the autumn of 2014 we opened (six different premises in Budapest and Pest county, Károly Bakonyi’s grapes will grow together with our modern Sales Centre, which is charged with the and ten buildings in all). In addition, we also regularly Gergely Márk’s roses. A playground will be built surrounded by the halls, which will operate in a spirit highly responsible job of organising audiences and rehearse in other rented locations, such as the Tivoli of environmental awareness. selling single and subscription tickets. Moving the Theatre, the Bárka Theatre, Duna Television, Hun- The Eiffel Art Studios project will be completed in locksmith’s workshop from this building to the Eiffel gexpo, a rapid-response police building, RTL and the the autumn of 2019 and, once the entire complex has Art Studios will allow us to move other functions here, Hungarian Radio – and will continue to do so until the been inaugurated, work will begin on the adjacent and the sales offices will be connected directly to Ha- Eiffel Art Studios are opened in autumn 2019. We will Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology and jós Street. then return “home” to our new and renovated venues Transport. from 21 different properties.

240 CALENDAR 18-19 OPERATIC EMPIRE CALENDAR 18-19 OPERATIC EMPIRE 241 REVIEWS FROM ALL OVER THER WORLD

242 CALENDAR 18-19 REVIEWS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD CALENDAR 18-19 REVIEWS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD 243 REVIEWS FROM “Klára Kolonits gave a marvellous interpretation of the role “The costumes designed by Yvette Alida Kovács were abso- the two. Gergely Zöldy Z’s stage design and Bianca of Margaret of Valois, performing an ethereal, graceful lutely stunning… The characters move in front of a single Imelda Jeremias’ wonderful costumes also contribute ALL OVER THE WORLD opening aria featuring a translucent yet compelling colora- backdrop and a single painted canvas. The whole thing to re-creating Blanche’s memories and fantasies. Dés The Came, They Saw -- They Were Won Over tura, which the audience met with acclaim (and rightly so, was beautifully illuminated by János Szikora’s soberly composed a varied, multi-layered soundtrack that recre- we must add); that’s how to sing it… The minor roles were arranged production, which featured some genuinely in- ates the Southern big band jazz mood of a New Orleans also perfectly cast. Acoustically speaking, the Hungarian novative solutions. It was a beautiful performance, at once neighbourhood in the forties. As in Williams’ play the Opera House successfully met the challenges of this dif- opulent (the costumes) and reserved (the set)… The cast alternation of the rhythms, or leitmotif, follows the “Molnár brought the first night house down with his ficult work, while Meyerbeer’s music was captivating and was dominated by the two main female roles. Firstly, as characters and the situations. The final scene is great, account of Bánk’s grand aria lamenting the fate of the more than made up for some of the deficiencies in the the Queen of the Navarra (Marguerite de Valois), Klára both realistic and brutal. Should you be planning to homeland at the start of Act 2, while Zita Szemere pre- production.” Kolonits was utterly magnificent – and received well-de- visit Budapest, this is a production not to be missed.” sents an enchanting Melinda, her beautiful, gentle lyric Stefan Schmöe (Online Musik Magazin, Germany) served acclaim. Despite the incredibly difficult and danger- Katja Vaghi (Bachtrack, United Kingdom) voice and heartfelt acting making the character’s haunt- ous sections contained in the score, the coloratura soprano ing mad scene another highlight – hers is a name to “János Szikora brought Giacomo Meyerbeer’s five-act coped admirably with her usual clarity and lucidity. Here “3 Gnossiennes was tailor-made for Maria Aradi, born watch… This was a rousing, enjoyable performance of a play Les Huguenots to the stage of the Hungarian Opera she played a part which fitted her perfectly. Praise is also Hungarian, so it comes as no surprise that it was score that surely deserves, in one version or another, to House’s beautiful Erkel Theatre, with an accessible, un- due to Valentine, with Gabriella Kiss Létay bringing a chosen to open the triple bill. The piece’s cold-hearted be better known beyond its native land.” pretentious production… We can certainly say that the fresh and graceful touch to the role.” tone found an interesting echo in Aliya Tanykpayeva Hugo Shirley (Bachtrack, United Kingdom) opening night was bathed in premiere glamour, with Pierre Waline (Journal Francophone de Budapest) and Iurii Kekalo, both gorgeous dark-haired dancers. Klára Kolonits giving a tender performance in the role of With her Eastern features and penetrating black eyes, “Achieving that balance is not easy, and the première of the Queen – even in the most dramatic parts – singing in “Vocal performances were generally strong, but I have Tanykpayeva tames a fire beneath the ice. Her vigor- János Szikora’s new production for Hungarian State Op- her gentle soprano voice and with perfect articulation of to give pride of place to bass Krisztián Cser as the priest ous dancing – sharp leg lifts and sober arms – took the era, staged to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the start the legatos; Kolonits performed the slower parts with feel- Jorg, who had me sitting bolt upright in my seat from audience by surprise. Kekalo, a classical ideal of ancient of the Reformation, made a good fist of it. The principal ing and expression, a glittering and brilliant performance the moment he opened his mouth: it’s a voice with im- times, endowed the ballet with an Apollonian colour. driver of this was a truly excellent orchestral performance, which displayed a beautiful and polished vocal range.” mense power, clarity and tautness of phrasing, which The whole effect was spellbinding… Its [Black Cake] sar- conducted by Oliver von Dohnányi … Top honours went Rolf Fath (Opera Lounge, Germany) thrilled in every line... Conductor Christian Badea sum- castic humour, modern expressionism and depiction of to Klára Kolonits as Marguerite de Valois. Kolonits spar- moned up some good moments of Verdian playing from couples’ ups and downs make it the icing on the cake of kled and dazzled with her coloratura, gave us creamy soft “With a thematic link to the anniversary of the Reforma- the orchestra, from a fascinating, quiet pizzicato opening the triple bill. Aliya Tanykpayeva, back with a new outfit timbre in the lyrical passages, and turned on a sixpence to tion, the Hungarian Opera House brought a new produc- to the overture, followed by a gorgeous cantabile trumpet (a glittering ballroom dress) and a new partner (Dmitry shift moods: she could be light-hearted, coquettish, formal, tion of Giacomo Meyerbeer’s opera Les Huguenots to the solo, through to some trademark whipping up of the Timofeev) stole the show again. When, a glass of cham- friendly or regal as demanded.… Marcel, Raoul’s faithful stage of the Erkel Theatre… The production team suc- drama in Act 2 and the moving religious chorales.” pagne in hand, the dancers addressed the audience in elderly retainer, always has a chance of stealing the show, ceeded in making Queen Marguerite de Valois’s efforts David Karlin (Bachtrack, United Kingdom) a fake drunken state, Black Cake proved an appropriate and Gábor Bretz, while looking noticeably more youthful to bridge the existing and unbridgeable animosity be- toast to the evening première.” than the part demands, did exactly that, nailing his barn- tween the Catholics and the Huguenots accessible to all… “George Balanchine famously said that with dance one Jade Larine (Bachtrack, United Kingdom) storming “Piff Paff” and then remaining the pivotal figure Gábor Bretz gave an outstanding vocal performance as cannot say that they hate their mother-in-law. Well, on the Protestant side throughout Acts 4 and 5… Sets Rauol’s servant, Marcel. Onstage, Bretz attracted the at- choreographer Marianna Venekei clearly manages to “The chorus, the orchestra and the dancers: all outstand- alternate between full-stage-sized cut out lithographs of tention of the audience with both his voice and his physi- convey “I hate and desire my sister-in-law” in her ver- ing. With regards to the vocalists, Ildikó Szakács de- the period, dropped at different depths to give a decidedly cal presence… The conductor Oliver von Dohnányi stood sion of Tennessee William’s A Streetcar Named Desire. serves a special mention, playing the role of the beautiful retro flair to proceedings, and giant letters spelling out at the head of the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and A world première and Venekei’s first full-length work Szaffi perfectly. (…) The performance reached its peak the defining emotion for the act… Both types of set are at- demonstrated a certain degree of autonomy in his inter- for the Hungarian National Ballet (...) is a pearl not to in the final act, when the dancers followed each other in tractive and the period costumes are lavishly magnificent, pretation of Meyerbeer’s music. This opera is particularly be missed. (…) The ballet is full of juicy details for those performing various dances of the different regions of the with good delineation between the pleasure-loving Catho- challenging for the big chorus scenes and the coordina- who know the play and still comprehensible for those empire with great skill and light, graceful movement. It lics in white and the austere Protestants in black… The op- tion of the soloists, and though he was conducting Les unfamiliar with it. Venekei’s choreography and com- was a scene of unrestrained rhythm, and was received era progressed effectively from happy, light-hearted specta- Huguenots for the first time, Dohnányi demonstrated his poser László Dés have maintained several other details, with especially great enthusiasm by the audience.” cle in Act 1 through to genuine horror and regret in Act 5, ability both in these and other parts of the performance. and we see a lively depiction of the characteristics of the Pierre Waline (Le Journal Francophone de Budapest) with superb playing and some wonderful singing along the He treated the vocalists with genuine sensitivity, most of main characters, Blanche, Stanley and Stella. We also way. And that, surely, is what Meyerbeer is all about.” whom were singing their roles for the first time.” see the confrontational relationship between Blanche “István Rózsa created an opulent stage design. With the David Karlin (Bachtrack, United Kingdom) Klaus Billand (Der neue Merker, Austria) and Stan and Stella’s ambivalent attitude towards expression of his love for details in the oriental market

244 CALENDAR 18-19 REVIEWS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD CALENDAR 18-19 REVIEWS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD 245 place, the pirates’ hideout, the luxuriousness of Seyd’s and Gergely Leblanc shine as a solo couple – and the “The Third Iván Nagy Ballet Gala featured some very “The people on the stage and in the viewing gallery palace and the harem, Rózsa conjured a stunning array corps de ballet is also stunning.” special guests, who delighted the audience alongside experienced the same painfully beautiful feeling which of colours for the stage. With the aid of a range of tech- Ira Werbowsky (Der neue Merker, Austria) the outstanding talents of the Hungarian National Bal- cleansed the spirit and the soul, as for minutes on end nical tricks, the ship was tossed about and then found- let, primarily with excerpts from classical ballets. Two a roaring round of applause followed the performance. ered in the foreboding weather conditions. The garden “Those ballets require virtuosity in bursts, often punctu- favourites of the Vienna State Opera House, Maria For all of this to happen, and for a prominent event in the dream scene where Gulnare and Medora danced ating less onerous scènes d’action; these ballets require Yakovleva and Denys Cherevychko, gave a dizzying to burn itself into the cultural history of Háromszék, to the pasha was created with tableaux of flowers. The a lexicon of the toughest dance vocabulary, from start pas de deux from Don Quixote – the series of stunning several conditions had to be met. As well as the will- two main female characters were performed with deli- to finish. The intense concentration on classical form leaps and twists had the audience on the edge of their ingness of the motherland and local acceptance, the cate charm: Tanykpayeva Aliya is a graceful Medora makes it inconceivable that they could ever be danced seats. The host company also gave us an excellent taste Carpathian Homeland Opera Tour also required the and risks everything for her beloved Conrad, while to perfection. So, it was a brave step for the Hungarian of their ability: Tatiana Melnik and Gergely Leblanc appropriate venues for success, the talents, the prepara- Lili Felméry was utterly convincing in the role of the National Ballet to present them, together; and in three were exceptional in the pas de deux from Esmerelda, and tion and the dedication of the artists, and the presence elegant, noble Gulnare. The men caught the eye of the casts. I saw only the second cast but it was enough to thoroughly enjoyable in Gustav Mahler’s Adagietto, and enthusiasm of thousands of people.” audience with strong leaps and masculine style, with convince me that there is considerable strength-in- choreographed by Imre Dózsa. It was particularly worth Zoltán Bedő (Székely Hírmondó, Sfântu Gheorghe, Romania) Gergely Leblanc’s memorable Conrad, Balázs Majoros depth within this company. In particular, one must ap- watching the gala evening, where the orchestra gave as the odious Birbanto, and Iurii Kekalo as a shrewd plaud the excellence of the ballet masters for the overall an outstanding performance, conducted by Imre Kollár “When, for example, the monologues of the individual Lanquedem. Evgeny Lagunov, in the role of Ali’s faith- magnificence of the corps de ballet across both works.” (except for one or two excerpts played from record- characters were performed, the others almost disap- ful slave, demonstrated immense technical ability dur- Graham Watts (Bachtrack, United Kingdom) ings). The public accompanied the performance from peared from the stage so the spectator could better ing the Pas D’Esclaves.” beginning to end with huge ovations and enthusiastic focus on the soloists. And we must raise our hats to Ira Werbowsky (Der neue Merker, Austria) “It is unquestionably difficult to interpret any kind of applause.” these soloists. Tibor Szappanos, for instance, was made text for both younger and adult age groups. The play Ira Werbowsky (Der neue Merker, Austria) for the role of László the Fifth: he is a perfect lyric “The Hungarian temperament is particularly well- progresses relatively comfortably in this frame of refer- tenor, and also bears a physical resemblance to the matched to the temperament of the Italian Rossini – ence, a prime example of how to create a performance “Under the baton of Michelangelo Mazza, the enthusias- king. As Palatine Gara, Zoltán Kelemen’s voice had a which is why the new production of L’italiana in Algeri suitable for every age group of the gruesome tale of tic Hungarian State Opera Orchestra provided the mu- perfectly balanced pitch, and it is all too easy to believe (Rossini’s third most performed opera) was staged at Hansel and Gretal, dealing with work, hunger, passion sical accompaniment. The mood of the audience was that he is a power hungry, calculating careerist. Many the Erkel Theatre, the Budapest Opera’s alternative ven- and misery. There is no question that Villabos is suc- still frosty during the Nabucco overture, but after the of the people in the stalls only recognised Erika Miklós, ue while the Opera is under restoration. The result is cessful in conveying the adult truths to the youthful break the Carmen overture really got them going, and who shone like a diva in the role of Mária Gara. The or- a lively, vivacious opera performance with a full house audience… The music, directed by János Kovács, a they then applauded rhythmically to the music.” chestra, conducted by Ádám Medveczky, was stunning, every night. Under the baton of the young Italian con- revered figure of the contemporary Hungarian music Ursula Wiegand (Der neue Merker, Austria) brilliant – their playing alone would have been enough. ductor Francesco Lanzilotta, the orchestra of the Hun- scene, was superb, a perfect interpretation of post- And it was a special pleasure to see them given the ab- garian State Opera shone spectacularly, ably supported Wagnerian Romantic discourse. The noble expression, “Anna Netrebko was not alone. One of her partners, the sence of orchestra-level ticket prices. We had the chance by the brilliant performance of the vocalists.” compact and fluid sound and the orchestra directed precise Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, conducted by to marvel, for example, on how much of a role the kettle Charles E. Ritterband (Klassik Begeistert, Germany) from the conductor’s podium all make this new pro- Mazza, performed the ballet music of Aida and the Car- drum plays in the Hungarian national anthem.” duction truly special.” men overture with astounding grace.” Katalin Juhász (Új Szó, Slovakia) “While the Danish Harald Lander’s final ballet (Études) Alejandro Martínez (Platea Magazine, Spain) Christiane Tewinkel (Der Tagesspeiegel, Germany) has been part of the group’s repertoire since 2014, “Because I like the classical sound, I was very afraid George Balanchine’s masterpiece was performed here “Although the atmosphere was heavily laden with “The Csíksereda audience gave a standing ovation for of modern, gimmicky solutions. Opera houses and for the first time. Both plays are an excellent measure constantly lurking evil, the lone antidote was the bril- several minutes, and it is possible that I was not the theatres are built so that you don’t need amplifiers, the of the quality of a group, with nimble footwork and liant fireworks generated onstage by soprano Tatiana only one who had a certain sentiment. Our spirits had acoustics are so perfect. For a sports stadium, where technical exactness and perfection required for the Zhuravel. In a role that few could tackle, Zhuravel was one expression: Thank you! In this performance of they don’t put on classical music concerts, they have to performance to flow. The Hungarian National Ballet stunning in her total command of a stratospheric tes- Hunyadi Lászó, we even loved the ‘villain’, as we saw solve this issue with various techniques and electronic company meets this neoclassical challenge with balletic situra that requires her to warble like a bird and shriek and listened to the young Csaba Sándor from Csíksze- equipment. Here, they managed to produce highly de- ease… The stylish set was planned by István Rózsa, the like a banshee, as well as produce bona fide artistic ntsimon in the role of Ulrik Cillei with not a little flutter veloped and refined technical arrangements to ensure costumes were created by Nóra Rományi and the light singing. Her many Zerbinetta-esque moments shone of pride in our hearts. We also celebrated the corps de that this beautifully written Hungarian opera should be design is the work of the ballet director Tamás Solymo- like diamonds and her final aria, describing her last ballet. Csík audiences can hardly have had a compara- of such high quality and so absolutely perfect!” si. For the 12 types of musical variations prepared for day on earth, was a polished jewel.” ble experience in the past.” Father Paskó (Jó Reggelt Vajdaság, Subotica, Serbia) one theme of Tchaikovsky’s work, Aliya Tanykpayeva Alexandra Ivanoff (Bachtrack, United Kingdom) Elvira Oláh-Gál (Csiki Hírlap, Miercurea Ciuc, Romania)

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“The Hungarian State Opera and BMW Group Hun- “The Opera, which will be effectively reborn after its “As the harmony of body and soul merges in the art- “As a devoted patron of performing arts and a long- gary have been strategic partners for three years lengthy and successful modernisation project, is one ist, there is a spark and something valuable is born. term partner of the Hungarian State Opera, we are now, a successful period that has delivered countless of the most important cultural institutions in Hun- Day by day, they leave behind signs to others and to continuing our collaboration with this outstanding successful collaborations, colourful programmes and gary. Our strategic cooperation includes the recording the future. They are the artists! A sound, a melody, a cultural institution with our joint operative remarkably rich cultural experiences to our partners of selected works, as well as promotion of the Opera movement, a colour, a prop, the soft beauty that the programmes. As a responsible corporation, we are and company. We are looking forward to the new among the culture-consuming public. We will be painter’s brush leaves on the glittering white porcelain contributing to present and future lives across society Puccini season with its mouth-watering premieres counting on the Opera in the new season, just as the change, refine and develop us, and we are different through these programmes. We pay special attention and touring productions, and are sure we will be able Opera can count on each channel of the public media.” after the encounter to what we were before. Body and to those living in the most disadvantaged sub-regions to offer our clients and partners a host of attractive soul, if they have been separated so far, will now find of the country, especially to children. In connection events as part of our Art&Culture programme, which Miklós Vaszily CEO each other again. This is the power of art! The parallel with the particularly rich offering of the Opera’s has now been running for close to 50 years.” MTVA lives of artist and art traverse each other, and where programmes for children, we would like to give the this intersection lies, there is the workshop that cre- opportunity to find hope and joy in the arts of opera Massimiliano Di Silvestre ates value! Those who shake hands based on their and ballet to as many children living in difficult Managing Director of devotion to creating things of value, will allow wings circumstances as possible. Our wish is for many such BMW Group Hungary to grow out of roots, and they will be strategic partners. performances in the coming season, not only for Herend and the Opera… children but for all visitors.” On behalf of the Herend Community, I send a greet- ing to the guests visiting the Opera for the next season Nóra Horváth Magyary of value creation.” Executive Director of Communications K&H Group Dr. Attila Simon CEO Herend Porcelain Manufactury

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252 253 CLOSING THOUGHTS FROM IMPRINT GÉZA CSÁTH ON PUCCINI

“The first acts of Tannhäuser and Lohengrin are built on caressing songs. The trumpets crackle like frayed nerves, excitement, anticipation, and on the changing relations or sob behind their mutes like the repressed aches of of the situational and kinetic energy of human desires, the heart. The runs of the harp are light and airy, as if with practically Shakespearean power. But Wagner tiny, barefoot fairies were flitting across the strings, and was not always flawless in his accounting for the two they represent eager waves of great, unfulfilled desires. factors of music and drama. Puccini, however, went The double basses, along with the bassoons, bang, roar further, owing mostly to the fact that he was born with and chime… And if we peer into the score, it appears lesser musical talent than Wagner. He was born Italian, as if this music wasn’t imagined for an orchestra at all, which comes with a certain degree of artistic self-doubt, but as if the whole thing were some rare, fortunate but and a certain immoral dominance over the creative affected orchestration for improvised piano. The tones The Hungarian State Opera’s patron: work. He is aware of the fact that around three-quarters are spread thickly, even smudged. As if the composer had, of his audience is neurasthenic and hysterical, people quite unreasonably and improperly, doubled, tripled, or who are impressionable and susceptible to one another’s quadrupled certain parts. The violins climb into upper suggestions. But the work itself does in fact contain regions of intense sound. The harp, without any apparent neurasthenia and hysteria. Within the morbidly refined intent, plays in unison with some other instrument, harmonies, is not the sensual orchestration neurasthenia? comparable to a piano being placed in the orchestra and Responsible publisher The General Director of the Hungarian State Opera Is the prominent positioning of sexual issues, the torture given a melody to be played on only a single finger. And Management of the Hungarian State Opera: Editing of manuscript finalised on: 15 March 2018 scene in Tosca and the mauling of human souls found in yet everything is in its ideal place, at its perfect pitch, Szilveszter Ókovács General Director English translation Gyula Hegedűs, Arthur Roger Crane all of his operas not hysteria? in its most natural state. After all, every student of Dr. Virág Főző Deputy Director Typographic and graphic design Mátai és Végh Kreatív Műhely music knows that the higher tones of the oboe are shrill, Balázs Kocsár Principal Musical Director Text by Szilveszter Ókovács “Puccini’s musical construction is cunning, and that the flute is weak in its lower register, and that in Tamás Solymosi Ballet Director Editing by Dániel Mona perhaps immorally, even femininely illogical. But his lower positions the horn tends to crackle and is hard to Ferenc Anger Artistic Director Photography by László Emmer unconditional mastery and control over his material control, etc. But beyond this knowledge, for someone to Dr. Monika Turkovics Marketing and Communication Director Printed by Keskeny és Társai 2001 Kft. and his own intentions ensure that it appears honest, understand the nature of so many instruments so well, brutally straightforward and dazzlingly logical. His and to feel them so naturally as Puccini did, is truly rare. orchestration is thus among the most brilliant, interesting The orchestras of Wagner and Goldmark are similarly and sensationally detailed of all new composers. In this colourful, but when placed side by side, their colours lack regard, only Wagner, Goldmark, Delibes and Tchaikovsky the airy, magnificently brilliant economy of Puccini’s. come close to him. The cantilena of his violins is superbly intense and sweet. His flutes, oboes and clarinets inspire “Today, he is among the greatest. And whether he will uniquely strange and distinguished perfumes. The cellos, be great tomorrow, or the day after – why should this bolstered by the horns and bassoons, swell with soft and concern us?” www.opera.hu | www.facebook.com/Operahaz CALENDAR 18-19 REVIEWS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD