The new online series of the Hungarian State Opera kicked off on 20 September 2020. Its aim is to provide operatic experiences to fans of the genre during lockdown. The guest star of the first live broadcast was soprano Eszter Sümegi.
The Kossuth Prize recipient, double Chamber Singer of the Opera gave a recital at the Bánffy Stage of the Eiffel Art Studios compiled mostly of pieces by Verdi and Puccini, as well as arias by Catalani and Wagner. Her partners on stage was Chamber Singer Boldizsár László and young tenor, a student of the Music Academy: Barna Bartos. The show was directed by Andrea Kováts, hosted by general director Szilveszter Ókovács, featured on the piano was Kálmán Szennai.
Programme:
Verdi: Un ballo in maschera – Amelia's aria (Eszter Sümegi)
Wagner: Tannhäuser – 'Dich, teure Halle' (Eszter Sümegi)
Verdi: Un ballo in maschera – Riccardo's are from Act 3 (Boldizsár László)
Catalani: La Wally – 'Ebben? Ne andrò lontana' (Eszter Sümegi)
Schubert: Impromptu 3 in G-flat major Op. 90 D 899. (Kálmán Szennai)
Puccini: Madama Butterfly – 'Un bel dì vedremo' (Eszter Sümegi)
Verdi: Rigoletto – 'La donna è mobile' (Barna Bartos)
Puccini: Tosca – 'Vissi d’arte' (Eszter Sümegi)
Verdi: Un ballo in maschera – Riccardo és Amelia's duet (Eszter Sümegi and Boldizsár László)
The performance can be seen HERE.