Photo by Szilvia Csibi, Attila Nagy

 

On the evening of Tuesday, October 30th, at the David Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, the U.S. debut of the Hungarian State Opera inaugurated an exciting series of events (which will also include the debut of the Hungarian National Ballet) beginning with a stellar performance of the powerful, exceedingly beautiful 19th century opera by Ferenc Erkel, Bánk Bán. The program was introduced by the Hungarian ambassador to the United Nations and she highlighted several state dignitaries who were in the audience as well as legendary tenor Plácido Domingo who is serving as the Patron of the New York tour.

 

This magnificent work, which deserves an honored place in the classical repertory, is rarely staged outside of Hungary and was not performed in New York until 1984, in a version with a reduced orchestra and sung in English. The opera is striking in that, apart from a few elements, dramatically and musically it is solidly in the European mainstream—its exoticism lies in its subject matter, in this case that of the malign Meranian influence on the Hungarian monarchy in the 13th century, the deploring of which here becomes a vehicle for the expression of Magyar nationalism. The libretto is adapted from the eponymous historical tragedy by József Katona, often described as the greatest Hungarian drama its century.

 

The weakest aspect of this 2018 production, directed by Attila Vidnyánszky, was its visual dimension, a perennial problem in contemporary opera and theater—although there were a few effective moments of spectacle, the art direction by Oleksandr Bilozub on the whole lacked interest. However, the costumes designed by Viktória Nagy effectively evoked the medieval setting.

 

The event was most remarkable for its extraordinary cast, who deserve enumeration, beginning with the excellent baritone—there is a long tradition of the part being sung by a tenor—Levente Molnár in the title role. His co-star, soprano Zita Szemere—as Melinda, the viceroy’s wife—was the most glorious member of the ensemble.

 

Also outstanding were: Marcell Bakonyi as King Endre II; Judit Németh as Gertrud, his queen; István Horváth as Otto, her brother; István Rácz as Tiborc, the peasant; Zsolt Haja as Petur, the leader of the nobles; and Antal Cseh as Biberach, the knight-errant. Also superlative were the fabulous musicians and singers of the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and Chorus under the sterling direction of conductor Balázs Kocsár.

 

Bánk Bánis being repeated at the same location on the evening of Saturday, November 3rd and simply must be seen.