As one of the most monumental buildings of Magyar architecture, the Hungarian State Opera House is one of Budapest’s most iconic sights, and it’s also the city’s premier venue for opera and ballet. The 2014-15 opera season promises some firsts as well as the reworking of popular favorites – the operas of Mozart, Bizet, Donizetti, Haydn, Stravinsky and others will dazzle and entrance audiences. Thousands of locals and visitors enjoy moving performances at both the State Opera and its more modern sister venue, the Erkel Theater, to enjoy works of some of Europe's finest opera singers, musicians, and dancers.
While the Opera House's stunning interior, lavish costumes and sets, and formal attire of the audience all contribute to what is a delectable experience for all the senses, the Erkel has a more relaxed feel, aiming to bring opera and drama to the masses. Despite these differences, both offer world-class productions. Earlier, We Love Budapest took a tour of the opera building and its backstage areas, but here is a look at what awaits audiences in the coming months:
FREE: Freedom OperaGala – September 6Marking 25 years since Hungary opened its borders to the West, the Freedom OperaGala can be viewed freely by the public this weekend at a special stage on Andrássy Avenue. The show stars Anja Kampe, Piotr Beczala, Ferruccio Furlanetto, and internationally acclaimed Hungarian soprano Andrea Rost. Music from Beethoven, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, and Wagner will make this a magical evening, while Hungarian music from Lehár, Kodály, and Erkel add a local touch. This special event takes place on September 6 at 8pm.
Opera and ballet at the Opera House
In a tradition that’s just two years in the making, the season opener on September 13 (at 3pm) will be shown on a huge screen on Andrássy Avenue, with that section closed to traffic. This season it’s a free public screening of Mascagni's "Cavalleria rusticana" and
Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci" that launch
the new season.
For ballet lovers, "Troy Game" is a one-act work performed by male dancers that explores the everyday routine and moves of dancers inspired by martial arts and ancient Greek war games. This is performed along with "La Sylphide", set in Scotland and exploring human emotions through a man torn between his bride and his image of an ideal woman. This back-to-back
performance is on select dates in September (including 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 20).
Over the coming months there’ll be an assortment of fine opera evenings to choose from, too, including Puccini’s "Tosca", Mozart’s "Requiem"
(performed by the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra), and Strauss’ "The Woman Without a Shadow". Of course,
not to be missed is Tchaikovsky's ever-popular ballet "The Nutcracker". These performances, and many others, take place many times over the coming months;
visit the official
program website
for details.Shows at the Erkel TheaterBeginning September 12, the recently renovated Erkel Theater also roars back to life with thousands of theatergoers expected over the coming months. In the months leading up to Christmas, Verdi’s "Don Carlo", Dohányi’s "Der Tenor", Donizetti’s "L’elisir d’amore", Bizet’s "Carmen", a rendition of Lehár’s "The Merry Widow", and Mozart’s "The Magic Flute" are among the many shows on offer. Like the Opera House, it's also worth securing tickets for the Erkel as early as possible.
Securing tickets and getting to the venues
You can
buy tickets here
on the Opera website.
Many of the performances are eagerly anticipated,
and can sell out days or even weeks in advance.
The Opera House is at a prime location on Andrássy Avenue between Oktogon and Erzsébet
Square. The nearest metro stop is right outside the building –
take the “Opera” exit
on the yellow M1 line. It’s also just a short walk from the Deák Ferenc tér metro stop on the M2 and M3 lines.
The closest metro stop to the Erkel Theatre is II. János Pál pápa tér on the new M4 line. Alternatively, the Blaha Lujza metro stop on the M2 line or Blaha Lujza tram stop (where trams 4 and 6 stop) are just a ten-minute walk away.
