News / Szigligeti Company


News / Szigligeti Company 2018.01.03

Extraordinary Opera Performance in Oradea

On 27 January, at 6 pm, György Selmeczi’s opera buffa Our Lady’s Knight will be presented on the stage of Szigligeti Theatre. The performance is co-produced by the Hungarian Opera of Cluj and the Palace of Arts in Budapest. The event’s patron is Mr. Sándor Pásztor, president of Bihor County Council.

Saint Ladislaus, our Knight King, appears on the opera stage for the very first time, thanks to the producets, artists, composer György Selmeczi, and the libretto's author, Attila Béres. The latter originally wrote the story of Bátorfa, a small village near Oradea, and the events that surrounded the building of its church, as a radio play, and then, at the request of György Selmeczi, adapted it into an opera script.

The action begins in the village Bátorfa – the telling name, translated, means “brave tree”. Its church is ready, and the village's inhabitants wish to dedicate it to St. Ladislaus. There is just one problem: Ladislaus is not a saint yet. The papal legatine and his suite have been staying at the Diocese of Oradea for a year now, to examine the evidence regarding the miracles of Ladislaus for his canonization. Bátorfa sends a delegation to Oradea, and, in order to hasten the procedure, present a play about the legends surrounding St. Ladislaus.

The show first premiered in October 2017, directed by Novák Eszter, art director of Szigligeti Company, costumes designed by Florina Bellinda Vasilatos of Szigligeti Company, sets designed by Ianis Vasilatos of Regina Maria Theatre.

Tickets to the event sponsored by the county council will be available from 9 January, for 20 RON. The show closes the Saint Ladislaus Memorial Year.