Non-season ticket concert
Operetta Composers on the Concert Stage
Hector Berlioz: Roman Carnival – overture
Ferenc Lehár: Gold and Silver – waltz
Ferenc Lehár: Concertino for Violin and Orchestra
Jacques Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld – overture
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Johann Strauss Jr: Die Fledermaus – overture
Ferenc Lehár: Vilja Song – excerpt from The Merry Widow
Lehár Ferenc: Giuditta ‒ Meine Lippen
Léo Delibes: Lakmé ‒ Flower Duett
Johann Strauss Jr: Blue Danube Waltz
Johann Strauss Jr: Bauern-Polka (Peasant Polka)
Vilmos Szabadi violin
Polina Pasztircsák soprano
Atala Schöck alto
Host: Ádám Bősze
Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Dániel Dinyés
How else could the Hungarian National Philharmonic, dedicated as it is to the culture of classical music, celebrate the beginning of the carnival season than with pieces that are light, entertaining and relaxing – without sacrificing one bit of good taste or the need for perfectionism in one’s workmanship. The programme, which will be conducted by music director Dániel Dinyés, predominantly offers works by artists who were somehow connected to the world of the classics.
The carnival season is a period with a great tradition that, in spite of the carefree fun that is part and parcel of it, is inseparable from Christianity, as it lasts from the Epiphany until Shrove Tuesday. Why did people long ago hold carnivals? To make sure they could enjoy plenty of good times before the start of Lent. The word “carnival” itself is not coincidentally a reminder of the approaching period of fasting, as it stems from the Latin carne and vale, meaning “meat” and “farewell” – particularly in reference to its last three days. As the HNP has never held a concert to open the carnival season before, this year’s event offers the audience a novelty. Our composers are not just anybody: The greatest admirer of Johann Strauss was Brahms, Offenbach’s was Debussy, and Dvořák encouraged Franz Lehár to start composing instead of playing violin. One of the sensations promised by this programme is Lehár’s rarely heard Concertino, as performed by the versatile virtuoso Vilmos Szabadi. Performing the vocal operetta passages will be such stars of the opera world as Polina Pasztircsák and Atala Schöck. The informal atmosphere will be supplied by the host, the popular radio and television personality Ádám Bősze.