The Eighth Hungarian Tribe, 1985 (12. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1985-11-01 / 11. szám
HISTORY OF THE HUNGARIAN STATE OPERA-HOUSE By Dr.Zsuzsanna Agnes Berenyi Transversion by Sándor Emery and Rhonda L. Chomos. The history of opera in Hungary can be traced back to the half century following the freedom-war of Rákóczi (1703-1711). In that period of time, several families amassed considerable wealth and developed interests in the finer things in life. Large palaces and castles were constructed with luxurious furnishings, libraries and art collections. Some of these castles even maintained an orchestra or a theatre. The performers were international including French actors and opera presented by Italians. In a period spanning parts of the 18th and 19th centuries, there were more than 50 private theatres of Lords. The most important among them were the theatre of Kismarton, the Esterházy family's Esterháza, Bishop Adam Patachichs theatre of Nagyvárad (Transylvania) and John Erdody's opera in Pozsony (Czechoslovakia). The most eminent of these was the theatre of Prince Esterházy which for 30 years primarily reflected the work of Joseph Haydn. Nicolas Esterházy founded the theatre in the 17th century. His son, Paul, was an excellent musician who organized the orchestra for the theatre and composed a collection of cantatas, "Hermonia Caelestis", in 1711 for performance there. Several or Haydn's operas were performed for the first time in the Esterháza opera house. The first conductor was Joseph Haydn. He was followed by Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Heinrich Schmidt. Johann Michael Neumann, who designed the cathedral and bishop's palace In Nagyvárad was the architect for the theatre of Nagyvárad. The orchestra was conducted initially by Michael Haydn, Joseph's brother, and later by Dittersdorf. The first civil musical theater in Pest was "Rondella", where mainly ballet was performed. In Buda, Farkas Kempelen lead the construction of the new "Castle Theatre" In the former church of Carmelits. In 1784, a Salieri opera was the first one performed there. In 1788, Mozart's "Aiding the Escape from Seraglio" and "Don Juan" were performed. Works of Halevy, Donizetti, Meyerbeer and Flotow were also performed. The most well-known artist of the theatre was Fanny Elssler, a ballerina. Her dancing almost caused a revolt in the town. As theatre groups struggled to establish themselves, some were more successful than others. In Kolozsvár, the Hungarian theatre was aided financially by Nicolas Wesselényi to the extent that they were able to get a new building. In Buda, where no assistance was forthcoming, the theatre group ceased to exist. The first play sung in the Hungarian language was "Prince Pikko and Jutka Perzsi", performed May 6, 1793 by the troup of Ladislaus Kelemen. Its music was composed by Joseph Churchs, conductor at Erdody's theatre. The words of the play were translated Into Hungarian by Paul Kótsi Patkó. The beginning of the so-called "wandering theatre" can be found in these early theatres. Nicolas Wesselényi divided the 45-member Kolozsvár group into two groups. One performed in Marosvásárhely while the other participated in performances in Debrecen, Szeged, Miskolc, Pest and Buda. This group eventually settled at Rondella and included among its members Joseph Katona, who later authored one of the best Hungarian historical tragedies, "Bánk bán", and Roza Schenbach, who became the popular Mrs. Déry, a great opera star. When Rondella was demolished, the group disbanded and its members joined various other groups. Many of them, including Mrs. Déry, first went to Miskolc, then Kassa, and later, Kolozsvár. In 1827, a crisis at the theatre of Kolozsvár forced its closing and the actors moved temporarily to Pest, where they performed Rossini's "The Barber of Seville" with great success. The main actors in the group at this time were Mrs. Déry, Sigismond Szentpétery, Nicolas Udvarhelyi, Paul Szilágyi, Mrs. Kántor and Charles Megyeri. After leaving Pest, the group wandered to many places including Kassa, Eperjes, Ungvár, Beregszász and Máramarossziget. Eventually, with the help of Andrew Fáy and 6abriel Döbrentey, the group came to Buda and recruited young Francis Erkel from Kolozsvár as conductor. In 1837, the Hungarian National Theatre (officially named the "National Theatre" in 1840) opened in Pest. Mr. Gabriel Mátray was responsible for organizing the opera, including obtaining instruments and music and employing musicians. The first director of the National Theatre was Joseph Bajza, the poet, who disliked opera. Nevertheless, one or the early productions was "The Barber of Seville" which featured I'age 5 November, 1985
