International Miskolc Opera Festival to kick off with new Vajda symphony

A new symphony by composer Janos Vajda will open the 10th International Opera Festival in the city of Miskolc (NE) on June 9-20, organisers told reporters on Wednesday.

The piece was composed by Miskolc-born Vajda as a tribute to the city. It will be performed by the Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra of Pecs (S Hungary), which holds the title European Capital of Culture this year.

The festival's total of 65 events wil include 26 operas, 5 ballets and 23 classical concerts, with each of the 27 European Union member states responsible for a performance.

In opera the 200th birth anniversary of Hungary's noted composer Ferenc Erkel (1810-1893) will be marked. On the occasion the Csokonai Theatre of Debrecen (E) will show a major piece, Bank Ban and the Hungarian State Opera of Cluj-Napoca in Romania will present the modern version of the opera Sarolt, the organisers said.

The Richard Strauss classic Daphne, last on the Hungarian State Opera's repertoire in 1941/42, will also be performed, starring internationally-renowned Hungarian soprano Andrea Rost, the festival's general director said.

A recent opera, Wallenberg, composed by Estonia's Erkki-Sven Tuur, will be one of the highlights of the festival, Tamas Bator said.

The popular concert of the Three Tenors will be on the programme again and the Flamenco group of Antonio Marquez from Spain will also give a performance, he said.

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