Budapest Spring Festival
The Spring Festival in Budapest is a popular event every spring welcoming tourists to Budapest, and extending the tourist season of every year. It is in fact so popular, that almost every event is sold out on tickets, and if tourists are not out in good time, they will probably end up watching the outside of the buildings, instead of sitting inside. The most popular places during the Spring Festival are the National Theatre, the Palace of Arts, the State Opera, St. Stephens Basilica and the Thalia Theatre.
This year Budapest Spring Festival 2010 is colored in red and white, or with Danes. The Royal Danish Ballet, the Danish National Chamber Orchestra, Ars Nova Copenhagen and Trio con Brio Copenhagen will perform in addition to many other artists and musicians.
In March 2010, for the thirtieth time, farewell will be bided once again to winter with a festival the modest celebration will be prepared. Tourists will fall into a mood of nostalgia. The Stravinsky Evening to be given by "twin", the 30-year-old Gy?r Ballet will in a way be a reminder of the early days of Budapest festival, but even more of the mutual inspiration of Classicism and Modernity that could even be the motto of the festival. It is considered to transmit classical values on a high standard and to ensure scope for new impulses.
For three decades the Budapest Festival Orchestra and the Hungarian National Philharmonics have been stable pillars of the Budapest celebration of spring. The former figures in the program with a Beethoven Evening and the latter with a Bart?k concert traditionally held on the anniversary of the composer's birth and this time promising surprises.
This year the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra are going to appear at the final concert of the festival with two world famous young artists, pianist Denis Matsuev and trumpet player, G?bor Boldoczki.
It is expected to have guests from Denmark. This Nordic country known for its colorful culture will be sending the Royal Danish Ballet, one of the oldest ballet companies, and Hotel Pro Forma, a highly original formation that defies genre classification, to delight tourists with their classical and disturbingly beautiful productions. The world famous Ars Nova Copenhagen choir brings a blend of old and new, archaic and modern. The Danish National Chamber Orchestra will perform works by the modern classic of Danish music. For lovers of chamber music the Trio con Brio Copenhagen are bringing a program that includes a composition by Bent S?rensen, an outstanding figure of new Danish music.
In keeping with tradition, guest country this year is bringing not only music and dance programs but also art exhibitions. The gala opening event of the festival will be held in the Ludwig Museum where visitors can see the work of Danish artists and art groups. The exhibition titled Power Games examines current social and political problems as well as the role of contemporary art. The public has become accustomed to the appearance of a whole series of world stars at the Spring Festival. "Meeting of Worlds" is a title of grouped programs of outstanding figures of the international arts world.
Yuri Bashmet, the most sought after viola player will return to Budapest to give a concert at the head of the Moscow Soloists. The playing of the Italian ensemble Il Giardino Armonico has long been enjoyed not only by the cognoscenti. They are bringing to Budapest a wonderful early Handel oratorio, La Resurrezione. The international team of young soloists is all artists who could become big stars in the future. Virtuoso percussionist Evelyn Glennie is already a well known personality. The highly versatile artist regards her body as a resonator and generally performs barefoot because she feels the deep notes through the soles of her feet. Emma Kirkby, Michael Chance and the Florilegium early music ensemble are also coming from England. They will perform rare works by Vivaldi and Pergolesi. Nigel Kennedy and Paco de Luc?a represent the peak of refined entertainment. In his latest program Kennedy plays Baroque and jazz, Bach and Duke Ellington. Festival-goers can meet the master of stirring Andalusia rhythms and melodies, Paco de Luc?a in the Palace of Arts. Admirers of Spanish temperament should definitely not miss the Ballet Flamenco de Andaluc?a's Lorca evening either. And for fans of modern dance there is a performance by the Arnie Zane Dance Company with choreographies by Bill T Jones.
The year 2010 brings many musical history anniversaries and true to its traditions the Spring Festival is paying tribute to great achievements of the past with a rich program.
Festival's major project will be the fullest possible presentation of the oeuvre of Ferenc Erkel who was born 200 years ago. The program features six of his operas: besides the popular Hunyadi L?szl? and B?nk b?n. There will be introductory discussions to keep the mood light before the performances.
Encouraging social responsibility is one of the most important missions of the arts today. A series of events titled "I Am Gypsy - I Am Hungarian" will present the work of creative artists of Roma origin. During the festival it is planning to hold the premi?re in the Arizona Studio of Th?lia Theatre of Feather Picking, a new work by the young Roma actor-director Rodrig? Balogh dealing with the recent Roma murders. An ensemble formed of young Roma musicians who have graduated from the Academy of Music has brought a new color to the range of chamber ensembles. The Roma Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra will be playing a program of popular Baroque concertos. On the same theme there will be an exhibition in the Karinthy Salon titled Roma Genre Scenes where visitors will be able to admire the works of Mara Ol?h, a contemporary Roma painter.
The International Theatre Festival was launched last year as a festival in the festival to fill a gap. Now, in co-operation with the National Theatre, companies experimenting in the theatre genre and internationally acclaimed productions were invited. Operation: Orfeo, an unusual production by the Danish theatre company Hotel Pro Forma, is built up from the play of lights, sounds, movements and words. The Thalia Theater Hamburg is bringing a piece premiered in September by one of the most renowned directors, Luk Perceval. The truth about THE KENNEDYS, based on documents of the period, presents the major episodes in the 160-year history of the Kennedy family like a contemporary "royal drama". The Zajc Croatian National Theatre (Rijeka) is coming with Turbo Folk, a mould-breaking play that shows the dark remnants of the Yugoslav legacy in a way that is both shocking and refined. The guest performance by the Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollack Dance Company, Hydra, was inspired by the Japanese tale and is a blend of dance, mime and acrobatics.
The Budapest Spring Festival 2010 will bring to Central and Eastern Europe a real celebration. In addition to music (classical, musical or jazz) and dance performances, a unique exhibitions, a bustling festival atmosphere and comfortable apartments are waiting for tourists.
|
