Hungary - Eastern Europe - page 342

Erkel Színház (Erkel Theater) Named the “People's Opera,” the Erkel Theater is
the second home of the State Opera and Ballet. The largest theater in Hungary, it seats
as many as 2,400 people. Though it was built in Art Nouveau style in 1911, little of
its original character is apparent because of the various renovations it has undergone.
If you have a choice, go to the Opera House instead (their seasons—mid-Sept to mid-
June—are the same). Chamber orchestra concerts are also performed here. The box
office is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11am until the beginning of the per-
formance, or to 5pm, Sunday from 11am to 1pm and 4pm until the beginning of the
performance. VIII. Köztársaság tér 30. & 1/333-0540. www.opera.hu. Tickets 800 Ft-4,000 Ft
($4-$20/£2.10-£11). Metro: Keleti pu. (Red line).
Magyar Állami Operaház (Hungarian State Opera House) Completed in
1884, the Opera House is the crowning achievement of the famous Hungarian archi-
tect Miklós Ybl. It's easily Budapest's most famous performance hall and an attraction
in its own right. The lobby is adorned with Bertalan Székely's frescoes; the ceiling fres-
coes in the concert hall itself are by Károly Lotz. Guided tours of the Opera House
leave daily at 3 and 4pm; the cost is 2,000 Ft ($9/£5.15).
The splendid Opera House, home to both the State Opera and the State Ballet,
possesses a rich history. A political scandal marked the opening performance in 1884:
Ferenc Liszt had written a piece to be performed especially for the event, but when it
was discovered that he had incorporated elements of the Rákóczi March, a patriotic
Hungarian (and anti-Habsburg) melody, he was prevented from playing it. Gustav
Mahler and Ferenc Erkel rank as the Opera House's most famous directors.
Hungarians adore opera, and a large percentage of seats are sold on a subscription
basis; buy your tickets a few days ahead of time if you can. The season runs from
mid-September to mid-June. Summer visitors, however, can take in the approxi-
mately 10 performances (both opera and ballet) during the Summer Operafest, in
July or August. Seating capacity is 1,260. The box office is open Tuesday through
Saturday from 11am until the beginning of the performance, or to 5pm, Sunday
from 11am to 1pm and 4pm until the beginning of the performances. There are
occasional weekend matinees selling for 300 Ft to 3,500 Ft ($1.50-$18/80p-£9). VI.
Andrássy út 22. & 1/335-0170. www.opera.hu. Tickets 800 Ft-10,000 Ft ($4-$50/£2.10-£27). Metro:
Opera (Yellow line).
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Matthias Church A Budapest icon in the center of the historic Castle district, this
church is a neo-Gothic classic, named after Matthias Corvinus, the Renaissance king
who was married here. The church is a key location for excellent organ recitals, sacred
music concerts for a cappella choir, or orchestras. The box office is open Wednesday
through Sunday 1 to 5:30pm. I. Szentháromság tér 2. & 1/355-5657. Tickets 1,000 Ft-7,000 Ft
($5-$35/£2.70-£19). Take the Castle minibus from Moszkva tér (Red line).
Palace of Art The Palace of Art's National Concert Hall and Festival Theater
are the latest concert and performing arts venues: This is a must-see venue for visitors
to Budapest. The theaters are situated in the Millennium City Center, which seems to
grow every year. The main concert hall is the finest contemporary classical-music
venue in Budapest, and now hosts concerts from the most important orchestras from
around the world. The concert schedule varies; check out their website which has
excellent search features. IX. Komor Marcell u. 1. & 1/555-3000. www.mupa.hu. Take tram 2 from
downtown toward the Lágymányos bridge.