Háry János
Details
In Brief
A century ago, the world first encountered this remarkable opus, a work that soon became one of the cornerstones of twentieth-century musical innovation. Premiered in 1926, the singspiel is a milestone in Hungarian music history: its composer, Zoltán Kodály, fulfilled his aspiration to elevate Hungarian folk song of ancient origin to the same status as classical music, by virtue of its equivalent values, placing it on the stage of the nation’s Opera House. The Hungarian historical tale woven from folk songs blends elements of science fiction, the absurd, and at times painful historical reality, yet remains firmly grounded in love of homeland and pure love. The main roles of the hundred-year-old work are performed by two Hungarian artists from beyond our borders: Csaba Sándor from Transylvania and Gabriella Balga from Slovakia. It is staged by Transylvania-born Attila Béres, director of the Miskolc National Theatre, as his first production at the Opera House. His interpretation respects the spirit of the original while remaining open to the possibilities of the present. This centenary staging invites audiences to rediscover the opera’s timeless beauty, cultural significance, and extraordinary ability to build a bridge between past and present through the universal language of music. At the conductor’s podium stands Péter Halász, the OPERA’s principal guest conductor and former music director.
Rights of Zoltán Kodály were brokered by the Hartai Music Agency.
Parental guidance
Events
Premiere: Oct. 17, 2026
Synopsis
Prologue
At the refreshment room of Nagyabony railway station, the local regulars are waiting for old János Háry, who entertains them with his incredible tales every evening. The old man arrives, and when the conversation turns to Emperor Napoleon, Háry asks for some wine and begins to tell his story. It took place a time long ago, in Háry’s youth, when he was serving as a hussar and met the great Napoleon himself, and single-handedly captured him...
Adventure One
At the Russian border, a Hungarian border guard is talking to his Russian counterpart. The Russian guard is in a foul mood and refuses to let anyone across, not even the recently arrived Empress Marie Louise, despite the fact that she is the daughter of Emperor Francis of Austria and the wife of Napoleon, Emperor of France. Háry arrives to take over the guard duty, but he first sees his beloved Örzse, who has followed her sweetheart all the way from their native village of Nagyabony. When Háry learns from Uncle Marci, Marie Louise’s Hungarian coachman, that the Empress and her retinue are stranded in the Russian border hut and cannot get home, he single-handedly pulls the hut across the border, with the Empress and everyone inside it. His heroic deed is rewarded: Marie Louise takes Háry to Vienna, where he joins the imperial guard. At Háry’s request, Örzse accompanies them, and they all set off together. Only Baron Ebelastin, the Empress’s jealous chamberlain, views the Hungarian hussar’s success with disapproval.
Adventure Two
At the Hofburg in Vienna, General Crucifix is making preparations for the arrival of Marie Louise and her entourage. The returning Empress and her attendants are welcomed by her imperial parents. Háry immediately becomes the elderly Empress’s favourite, not only because he rescued Marie Louise, but also because he recommends an excellent remedy for the old Emperor’s gout. They listen to the famous Viennese musical clock, then the Empress gives Háry a tour of the palace. Örzse is left alone. When Lucifer, the wildest horse in the imperial stables, suddenly breaks loose, Háry immediately gives chase and, after a superhuman struggle, manages to tame him. Out of gratitude, Marie Louise presents him with a single violet, and this revealing gesture of affection further enrages the jealous Ebelasztin. The chamberlain proposes an alliance to the equally offended and humiliated Örzse, but she rejects him, knowing that Háry loves only her. Ebelasztin then exploits the authority granted to him by Napoleon and, seeking revenge, declares war on Austria. Háry is appointed captain and immediately sets off with his fellow soldiers to fight Napoleon.
Adventure Three
Near Milan, the hussars await the battle and think of their loved ones back home. With Háry’s help, General Crucifix is working on the battle plan when Napoleon’s army suddenly attacks. Háry single-handedly takes on the entire French army and defeats it. He captures Napoleon and orders him to pay a war indemnity of fifty thousand thalers, as well as sending a gold watch to the innkeeper in Nagyabony. Marie Louise then arrives at the camp and announces that she is divorcing the defeated Napoleon at once. Crucifix renounces his rank and has Háry appointed general. Celebrations begin, and Háry dances with Marie Louise when Örzse arrives. The two women openly quarrel over Háry. Örzse has nobody and nothing in the world but János; the Empress, by contrast, offers Háry both the Empire and herself. Háry gently rejects Marie Louise, who then sets off towards the ends of the earth, the nix, intending to throw herself off the edge and take her own life. Háry has no choice but to follow her. He saves her and agrees to return with her to Vienna, where he promises to settle everything.
Adventure Four
At the Viennese palace, everyone is preparing for the wedding of Marie Louise and Háry. The imperial couple host the groom at a grand luncheon, where the young princes are also introduced to him. The Emperor gives a speech and offers Háry his daughter’s hand in marriage as well as half of the Empire. Háry accepts neither: he already has a fiancée whom he loves, and a man of such humble origins is not suited to marry an Emperor’s daughter. Although Marie Louise bursts into tears, the Emperor realises that the marriage cannot be forced and agrees to release Háry from the remainder of his military service. Örzse then arrives to say farewell, unwilling to stand in the way of Háry’s good fortune. But János, whom she had believed to be unfaithful, entrusts Marie Louise to Baron Ebelasztin, takes his leave of everyone with honour, and sets off with his betrothed for home in Nagyabony.
Epilogue
Háry reaches the end of his tale at the Nagyabony station refreshment room. The regulars listen in fascination, even though that famous gold watch from Napoleon never reached its intended recipient, and Örzse has long since died. There is no witness to Háry’s adventures. There is, however, an audience, and for them, the spoken word is enough to believe that when a person is carried away by the momentum of a soaring tale, even a wretched life can blossom.