Amerikai Magyar Hírlap, 2000 (12. évfolyam, 44-47. szám)

2000-12-15 / 47. szám

MEDITATIONS by Dr. Bela Bonis Pastor (562) 430-0876 First Hungarian Reformed Church, Hawthorne ADVENT offers a veritable treasure-trove of riches. These are discoveries we make by contemplating the deepest meaning of Christmas. One is expectation evidenced in preparations which reach a climax on Christmas Day. Ever is there watching, waiting, hoping, dreaming. When we look beyond beautifully wrapped packages, multi­colored lights, and lavish decorations, we discover that Christmas has long been an un­easy balance between holiday and holy day, between giving and getting, between believing and make-believing. It is the foundation of Christian faith - and a marketing strategy of un­paralleled power. But as we keep weeding religious influen­ces out of our national life in the name of diversity and politi­cal correctness, most of what will remain will be a generic "holiday." For us earnest Chris­tians, however, the celebration of the birth of Christ includes the agony of Good Friday and the wondrous joy of Easter for there is only the present filled with memories of the past and hopes for the future. In our churches and in our spiritual lives, we wait for Christ to come again to fulfill the hopes that remain unfulfilled from that initial coming. It is our responsibility to attend to all that was left undone by the One who was sent to prepare a way of justice and compassion. We, as disciples of Jesus, are not only his followers. We are leaders charged with a mission, believers filled with His spirit, messengers sent, as He was sent, to do the will of God. Jesus come and gone and com­ing again does not mean that we are alone in our struggle to make the world a better place in memory of Him. The spirit of Jesus is with us, and wonder of wonders, within us. The Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, is God’s abiding presence forever incarnate in human flesh as gift to all the ages. We see signs of a world in distress, destruction and discrimination, but there are other signs. Signs of God-with-us to deliver us from evil and inspire us to do good. Look up and see the signs. Better yet, be a sign of God’s justice and compassion, so that all who see the good we do might give glory and praise to God. Elizabeth de Charay’s Great Hungarian Christmas Show Outstanding young singers-actors rang in the holiday season with enormous success! For an objective theater critic who has been eager not to go overboard it is, indeed, difficult not to seem too enthusiastic! I have never felt that dilemma more than while reviewing Elizabeth de Charay’s, the "Hungarian Theatre and Art Associa­tion"^ extremely talented director-primadonna’s newest crea­tion, her "St. Nicholas-Christmas" cabaret and musical evening which took place in the splendidly decorated, cozy banquet hall of New York’s Independent Reformed Church, 229 East 82nd Street, Sunday afternoon. It was one of the coldest days of the year; yet, Elizabeth’s faithful and discriminating audience, Hun­garians but also many young Americans, filled every seat. The first half of this multi-faceted, highly amusing, but also very romantic and even nostalgic show was devoted entirely to the "Old Country Christmas Magic". Our "renaissance man”, Mihály Kátay, played the role of Santa and introduced the artists; beautiful soprano Gabriella Lcndvay, all dressed up in shining white, as an angel, sang lovely old Christmas songs, while pianist László Fornwald, a great soloist as well as accompanyist, treated 1 us to the most touching holiday music of the old country. Sensa- j tional and very young, pretty Eszter Biro - a celebrated star of Budapest’s operetta and musical theaters - and Janos Doczy, a very gifted darling of (for quite some time) not only Budapest, but New York’s Hungarian Theatre, too, read prose and poetry and let us all become happy and believing to be "kids", once again. It was Mihály Katay who - as always - had transformed the stage into a shining, gorgeous holiday paradise with stars and candles and Christmas figurines. He is truly a genius! Then, all those angels and St. Nicholas distributed chocolates in the audience to all "children", young and old. We could hardly wait for Part Two of the Program, a musical potpourri of fun, jokes and happiness that brought laughter and high spirits and loads of great memories... Young Eszter Biro, presenting the highlights of "Cabaret", could easily compete with all Broadway stars... she will make it here, in America, too! Judit Kerekes, one of the best-loved members of Elizabeth’s en­semble, played a schoolboy (she looked adorable in short pants, explaining her very-very bad report card and lying her(his) head off... Mimi Mautner, a serious competition to all American female comedians, was simply enchanting as the partner of marvellous actor Allan Ajtay in a sketch, one of the very best numbers of this very original program... we would hardly let this great couple of "lovers" off the stage. Gabriella Lendvay gave a wonderful rendition of old evergreen operetta music and nostal­gic songs. Erzsi Varga contributed with her very witty and charming own humorous stories and the very talented Anna Dömösi (with partner János Dóczy) were more than funny, put­ting on cow masks and "Madam Cow,” in love, and "Mr. Steer” whom she cannot conquer. Guitarists Miklós Újváry and János Baranyai played magnificently and László Fornwald received never ending applause for his solo renditions. Now, last but not least, it was the absolute highlight of this sensational evening when Elizabeth de Charay, the Hungarian Theatre’s genius director, discussed a recently published, very nicely illustrated book about her theatrical career and New York’s Hungarian Theatre; sitting on the stage, sh answered questions from the audience in a witty and yet very modest way. She looked radiant when she described the many difficulties, but also the cultural triumph of her theatre. Let us hope that the "Hungarian Theatre and Art association will continue "forever" to turn New York City, cultural center of the world, into an even more excit­ing and attractive place. Once again: bravissimo! G.A. Cserey Erzsi (jobb o.) Neszlényi Judittal és Czövek Istvánnal a "Dankó Pista" előadáson, amelynek egyik narrátora volt. SEASON’S GREETINGS TO OUR HUNGARIAN FRIENDS AND CUSTOMERS and Best Wishes of Good Health, Wealth and Happiness for the coming New Year 2001 from ARTHUR FRIEDBERG HUNGARIAN COINS Official Representative Office f P.O. BOX 1071, Clifton, New Jersey 07014 : Phone (973) 471-1441 Fax (973) 471-1062 Toll Free: 1-800-421-1866 E-mail: coincurin@aol.com * New Jersey residents should add 6 % sales tax. Major credit cards are accepted. Add $4.50 to each order for shipping and handling. Hungarian 3,000 Forint Coin for 125th Anniversary of Franz Liszt Academy of Music One-third of mintage sold on day of issue Franz Liszt (1811-1886), the Hungarian pianist, composer and teacher has long been celebrated as one of Hungary's great con­tributions to art and culture. In addition to his numerous works for the piano, he wrote two orchestral symphonies, a large number of choral compositions and a number of pieces for the organ. In addition, he was a writer and critic, a transcriber of organ works by J.S. Bach and violin etudes by Paganini, a conductor and a sponsor of the work of Richard Wagner in the musical theater. Yet, to Hungarians, he means even more. In 1875, he was the founding chairman of the Hungarian Royal Academy of Music, the nation's first conservatory. Today, on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Academy, the National Bank of Hungary is issuing a 3000 forint silver coin designed by Emma Egyed. The obverse is a tribute to the founder, who is shown in a pensive, half-length portrait. The facade of the Academy is on the reverse. The Bank set an issue limit of only 6,000 coins @ 3,000 in proof and 3,000 in brilliant uncirculated quality. The demand in Budapest was so great that 2.000 coins were sold immediately upon their release on November 6. The coin is made of sterling (.925) silver, weighs 31.46 grams and is 38.61 mm 1.52 inches) in diameter. Proof versions are $49.50 each, uncirculated specimens cost $42.50. To order, or for more information on these and other coins of Hungary, contact the Coin & Currency Institute at P.O. Box 1057, Clifton, NJ 07014. Toll-free 1-800-421-1866. Fax 973- 471-1062. E-mail: mail@coin-currency.com . Add $4.50 to each order for shipping and handling. New Jersey residents add 6% sales tax. See the coins on the web site of The Coin & Currency Institute http://www.coin-currency.com Those desiring to receive information and photographs electronically on a regular basis are asked to provide their e-mail address to mail@coin-currency.com Joining Liszt in the foundation of the Academy was its first director, Ferenc Erkel, who was himself the subject of a gold 10.000 forint coin in 1993. In 1880, the Academy moved from its first home at the Hal tér to the comer of Vörösmarty utca and Andrássy út. In 1887, the School of Theater was merged into the Academy, and in 1908 it moved to its present home, the Palace of Music, at Ferenc Liszt Square in Budapest. On its fiftieth anniversary the Academy added the name of its founder to its title and it is now known as the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music. It is Hungary's largest musical institution and a focal point of Budapest's concert scene. It also has the nation's largest collection of musical scores and books. The Academy building seen on the coin's reverse was designed by Flóris Korb and Kálmán Giergl in the art nouveau style and was constructed between 1904 and 1907. It is said to blend the elegance of Budapest and traditional Hungarian style with contemporary European ideas of the period. The interior, by Szilárd Zielinsky is recognized for striking a balance between intricate art nouveau detail and a novel use of reinforced concrete. AMERIKAI ~ ■■■ I . J Hi^p EH I

Next

/
  • Elrendezés
  • Igazítás
  • Forgatás
Oldalképek
Tartalom