The Hungarian community of Marosvásárhely (Târgu-Mureş, Neumarkt) was certainly in for a treat on the evening of January 22, when the Consulate General of Hungary to Csíkszereda and the local government of Maros County organized a large, festive occasion to celebrate the Day of Hungarian Culture. The highlight of the ceremony was the opera Bán Bánk, by Hungarian composer Ferenc Erkel, in which internationally recognized opera singer Levente Molnár sang the lead. The event took place in the Great Hall of the grandiose, Secession-style Palace of Culture.
The events organized to celebrate the Day of Hungarian Culture have proven to be of great interest to the community in previous years. It has undoubtedly been a good decision to host a prestigious musical event, as people really respond to it, emphasized General Consul László Tóth at a Monday press conference held in the Palace of Culture, Székelyhon.ro news portal reported.
The president of the county’s local government, Ferenc Péter, stated that culture is one of the most important things in life, yet people are never able to spend enough time on it. The Palace of Culture is a rather appropriate place to host the opera Bán Bánk, he added, as scenes from the story are depicted on the façade of the building, and even the portrait of the composer adorns one of the palace’s windows.
Opera director Péter Novák pointed out at the press conference that he really feels at home in Marosvásárhely, having spent several memorable summers of his childhood in the city (Novák is a well-known choreographer-director in Budapest, just like his father, Ferenc Novák, who was born in Transylvania).
“Bán Bánk, the opera based on the stage play written by József Katona, can speak to and touch audiences of all times, while the music of Erkel uplifts the soul to higher spheres, Novák emphasized. The main storyline of Bán Bánk is based on the assassination of Queen Gertrúd, wife of Andrew II in 1213. The opera was first performed at the Hungarian National Theater of Pest on March 9, 1861.
Szekler opera singer Levente Molnár spoke of the feeling of belonging and the joys of homecoming at the press event as well. He revealed that it is actually harder for him to sing at “home,” as he is sometimes so touched by emotions that he has to fight back tears. Nevertheless, he has promised that the audience will experience a catharsis at the performance.
The Day of Hungarian Culture has been celebrated on the 22nd of January ever since 1989. National poet Ferenc Kölcsey finalized the manuscript of the Hungarian national anthem on this day in 1823.
Title image: Internationally recognized opera singer Levente Molnár promised Marosvásárhely audience an artistic catharsis at the performance of Bán Bánk
Source: erdon.ro
