The roots of the story go back to the world of commedia dell’arte: it is set among the peasantry and its characters include a profit-orientated seller of miracle cures, a rich farmer, a girl who is both attractive and wealthy but whose heart is hard to win, and a skirt-chasing soldier.

The female role will be played by Erika Miklósa who has won over the audience of the New York Metropolitan Opera, among others. Nemorino is played by Alexey Kudrya, who won the 2009 Operalia International Singing Competition, supported by Plácido Domingo.

The venue for this partially staged concert performance is the Béla Bartók National Concert Hall, where we have seen other highly successful opera productions directed by Csaba Káel. This performance of Donizetti’s masterpiece involves internationally famous singers, as well as the much respected conductor Zsolt Hamar. The opera is accompanied by the ensemble with the longest tradition for Hungarian language opera performances.

The predecessor to the Cluj Hungarian Opera gave its first performance in 1792; in 1821 it became the first standing Hungarian theatre company. Besides theatre pieces, Hungarian language premières began to assume more importance, including works by French and German composers. In the 1820s, its rich repertoire was built around prima donna Róza Széppataki Déry, creating a cradle for Hungarian language opera. The creator of Hungarian national opera, Ferenc Erkel, gained many musical experiences in Cluj and it is fitting that this performance coincides with his birth, 200 years ago to the day.

Tickets: 2500, 4200, 6900, 7900 Ft

Date: 6 November 2010,

Time: 7.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Venue: Bartók Béla National Concert Hall
Address: Budapest IX district, Komor Marcell u. 1

Donizetti: L\'elisir d\'amore – comic opera in two acts

Adina: Erika Miklósa
Nemorino: Alexey Kudrya
Dulcamara: Enzo Capuano
Belcore: Filip Bandzak
Gianetta: Mária Celeng
Choirmaster: Szabolcs Kulcsár"

Source: Palace of Arts