On the National Holiday of 15 March 2021, the highlights from Bánk Bán (The Viceroy Bán) by Ferenc Erkel were streamed from the Sándor Hevesi Stage of the Eiffel Art Studios from 8:00 p.m. on Facebook and Origo.hu.
Bánk Bán (The Viceroy Bánk) is the most important piece both in Hungarian drama literature and opera history. A story about the oppression of the tormented Hungarian people is told with obsessive sincerity by József Katona, and by Ferenc Erkel’s moving, passionate music. A Hungarian lord’s professional and private lives are both influenced by the uncontrolled reign of foreigners. He must take action. But is one man enough to bring justice to people, and will the tragedy of an innocent family change the fate of Hungarians?
The title role of the opera in the concert performance was sung by István Kovácsházi, his partners were Ildikó Komlósi (Gertrud), Ingrid Kertesi (Melinda), Krisztián Cser (Endre II), István Horváth (Ottó), Mihály Kálmándy (Tiborc), Zoltán Kelemen (Petur) and Lajos Geiger (Biberach) accompanied on the piano by Anikó Katona. The viola'd amore solo was performed by Veronika Botos.
Artistic director of the performance: Katalin Kovács
Hosted by Melitta Gyüdi
The performance can be viewed HERE.
Photo by Péter Rákossy