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by Liz-Beth
St-Bruno-de-Montarville, Quebec
December 13, 2002
The building itself is worth a visit. I bought the cheapest seat, which gave me a good view at the beautifully painted ceiling.
If possible, leave the jeans and t-shirt in the suitcase and put on the nicest suit you brought. If you don't have anything other than jeans and t-shirt, be prepared to be looked at as a disgusting alien and sent to the side door to the balcony (I speak by experience).
I had the chance to listen to a Hungarian opera, by Kodaly. There is no translation, but the program (costs 250ft, about 1.25$) provides a short resume of the plot in English. The second part was a ballet, also by a Hungarian composer. Both performances were of very high quality and could satisfy connoisseurs.
If you are afraid of Hungarian unknown operas, know that more famous operas are also performed. The previous night had Mozart's La Nozze di Figaro on its programm.
From journal Between West and East
by estnet
menlo park, California
May 4, 2001
Tickets are not expensive - the highest are US $20. I went twice - the first night was an (strange IMHO) opera Bluebeard's Castle which is described in the program as "having no plot...everything visible on stage involves the symbolic actions of two symbolic figures in a symbolic space, in symbolic time." Well - just don't ask me what the story line was , but it sure was a unique experience, especially the contrast of seeing this ultramodern starkly staged piece in an opera house with classical ornate designs, small boxes with elegant velevet hangings and the feel that I had been transported back in time 100 or 200 years.
The second night was magical...a Hayden opera (L'infedelta delusa which apparently doesn't translate into English from Hungarian as best anyone could translate was "Thwrated faithlessness". The orchestra appeared with white wigs and in period costume! Now I KNEW I had been transported back to an earlier century. This opera did have a story, actually quite a funny one, was staged well, with excellent costumes.
There are tours - but if you are there when anything is going on go to a performance and then look around. It is a great place.
From journal Budapest - am I in a time warp?