Macbeth hears a prophecy from three strange witch-like figures that he will become king of Scotland. The news triggers a series of brutal thoughts and actions in him and even more so in his wife, Lady Macbeth. It was not by chance that Verdi chose this Shakespeare text as the basis of his opera: the title character goes through the hell of spiritual depth, doubts and ruthlessness, unearthly forces, dramatic murders, and psychic turmoil again and again. Situation and motifs that yearn for an opera stage and unfold to music. The production is staged by Matthew Wild, who is widely recognized as a leading musical theatre director of his generation in South Africa, and he is now an increasingly sought-after artist on European stages as well. His productions are praised for their intelligence, visual prowess, and musicality. The clash of (English and ancient African) cultures and their influence on each other also play an important role in his Macbeth performance, just as the earthly and mystical-transcendental worlds intertwine as sharp contrasts in the opera.

Macbeth

Hungarian State Opera

The Chinese princess Turandot swears that she will not marry any man – except for the one who can solve her three-question riddle. Giacomo Puccini's final, unfinished opera tackles fairy-tale and socio-philosophical questions at the same time. The OPERA’s new production is staged by acclaimed choreographer Dóra Barta – a woman interpreting the most mysterious female title role in the world opera. Her staging approaches the work through the exciting stage language of movement and physical theatre as well as from the perspective of commedia dell'arte, from which Carlo Gozzi also drew inspiration at the time for his play on which the opera is based on. The abstract nature of the language of dance and movement helps to bring the philosophical content of the work into focus, while the aspect of power also remains important, because Turandot’s father, the emperor is not only looking for a husband for her daughter, but also for the future ruler for China…

Turandot

In recent years, even decades, it has become a common practice to completely or partially stage certain oratorical works. After Messiah and Matthäus-Passion, nothing could be more suitable to continue the practice than Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem, which is claimed by many, half-seriously, but certainly aptly, to be their "favourite opera". Even though it is a funeral mass, which traditionally does not require a stage – in fact, it specifically keeps it away from itself – its drama, emotionality, and the extremity of mood nuances almost naturally demand a spectacle. It must not be forgotten that in Verdi's these works were not composed for today’s neutral concert halls, church works were placed in sacred spaces, where they could interact with the environment. Even in a traditional concert form, a performance at an opera house gives the work a new visual appearance, but if the performance creates the possibility of a more organic theatrical experience, it can also become more capable of articulating the main message of a very human fear of death more tangibly according to the director's interpretation. The performance with special visuals is created by Ádám Tulassay and his creative team.

Gábor Csiki

Events

Past events

Feb 22 - Mar 9, 2025

Macbeth · Hungarian State Opera House

9 - 29 Nov, 2024

Turandot · Hungarian State Opera House

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