Rolling in Budapest Cultural information in English … Hear everything first hand

 Ms. Gyöngyi Lukács in her title role of  Turandot at the Barcelona Opera House July, 2009. Photo by A. Bofill

NOT TOO MANY WEEKS ARE AHEAD OF US OF THIS YEAR’S SUMMERTIME, BUT STILL TO COME TWO SOPHISTICATED PERFORMANCES WILL BE ON STAGE AT THE MARGARET ISLAND’S OPEN-AIR THEATER

2012

Puccini: Turandot

Spectacular Opera

Friday, August 10 and Sunday August 12.

Puccini’s opera Turandot is one of its kind, interesting feature and despite the author’s authentic Chinese music which was motifs used in his work, the performance was banned in China for more than seventy years.

The role of Turandot will be performed by Ms. Gyöngyi Lukács, the world-class dramatic soprano singer, who beside the Hungarian State Opera house has been in the title role of Puccini’s opera at  several Opera Houses like: Palermo, Los Angeles, Barcelona (see photo above taken in 2004).

Mr. Rubes Pelizzari, Italian tenor playing in the role of Kalaf  will be first seen in Hungary.  After his debut in Budapest, he will be leaving for Japan to sing, play in the same role. The conductor will be Mr. Zubin Mehta who already conducted the opera in Beijing in the year 1998.

On this premiere  of Turandot  at the Margaret Island Open Air Theater  the  Chinese Youth Orchestra will be welcoming  at both performance upon the  arrival of the  guests. As it shows from their name the Chinese Youth Orchestra  are all youngsters from Guangdong Symphony Orchestra. They have had been winning several competitions. currently, they are on their European tour. The orchestra is  coming to Budapest from Vienna  to see the concert-opera style version of Puccini’s Turandot.

Puccini’s three act opera show will be presented in two parts. The background story may be well-known by many. Just a reminder:  More than five hundred years the place called the Forbidden City,  served as the residence of Chinese emperors.

The Turandot was the last written opera by Puccini. It was an unfinished opera because of his sudden death. Luckey from his manuscripts and notes it was possible to complete the whole opera. The premiere is dated back  to April, 25. 1926. whereas at the La Scala in Milan, Mr.Arturo Toscanini conducted the opera.

As many who have attended to any of the previous Budapest Summer Festival events surely know by now that there is a boat service on duty between the Vigadó Square (there are several other station stops, but this is the most convenient for tourist and also for the temporary foreigners staying in Budapest) to the  Margaret Island Open-Air Theater  back-and-forth. This boat service is operated by the MAHART (Hungarian Shipping Co.). Fair tickets are available at the boat station’s cashier box heading to the Margaret Island’s Open-Air Theater. Back-and-forth tickets can be purchased in advance.

Hopefully, all will be lucky enough to still get their tickets before the grand events, if not in advance then on the spot at the ticket box. Tickets are also available  through online service at   www.szabadter.hu or simply dial  through: +36 30 584 1043.

Update Aggie Reiter