On 27 September 2020, guest star of the Masquerade programme was soprano Orsolya Sáfár. Her aria recital was streamed live from the Sándor Hevesi Stage of the Eiffel Art Studios via Facebook and Origo.hu from 8 p.m.
Orsolya Sáfár is known especially for her roles in 19th century romantic operas as well as operas by Mozart and Puccini. She is the winner of numerous competitions and recipient of several prizes such as the Chamber Singer of the Hungarian State Opera that was awarded to her in the 2018/19 season. In her Masquerade programme beside pieces by Donizetti, Gounod and Bizet she performed several arias by Puccini. In an excerpt from La bohème, her partner was Chamber Singer Gergely Boncsér. The surprise guest was young talent Alexandra Ruszó with an aria from Cavalleria rusticana. The atmosphere of the broadcast was enhanced by projected images including paintings by Vincent van Gogh and Gustav Klimt. The evening directed by Orsolya Magyar was hosted by general director Szilveszter Ókovács, featured on the piano was Anikó Katona.
Programme:
Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore – Adina's aria ('Prendi, per me sei libero')
Puccini: Turandot – Liù's aria from Act 1 ('Signore ascolta')
Gounod: Romeo et Juliette – Juliette's waltz
Bizet: Carmen – Micaëla's aria ('C'est des contrebandiers... Je dis, que rien ne m'épouvante')
Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana – Santuzza's aria ('Voi lo sapete, o Mamma') – featuring Alexandra Ruszó
Puccini: La bohème – Rodolfo's aria from Act 1 ('Che gelida manina') – featuring Gergely Boncsér
Puccini: La bohème – Mimì's aria from Act 1 ('Sì , mi chiamano Mimì')
Puccini: La bohème – Rodolfo and Mimì's duet from Act 1 ('O, soave fanciulla') – featuring Gergely Boncsér
The performance can be seen HERE.
Photo by Valter Berecz