Act I of Le nozze de Figaro and highlights from Così fan tutte are performed at the examination concert of the Éva Marton International Opera Studio. Prepared under the guidance of Miklós Szinetár and accompanied on the piano by Kálmán Szennai, the programme is open to all and welcome audiences to the Eiffel Art Studios of the Hungarian State Opera on 5 June 2026.
Love, infidelity and jealousy – all brought to life through the emotions of youthful hearts by young singers performing works created by composers equally fascinated by the complexities of human relationships. The examination concert is built around two masterpieces by Mozart and his librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte, whose works explore love and human frailty with remarkable wisdom and sensitivity, offering outstanding opportunities for memorable performances. On this occasion, the young singers of the Opera Studio have prepared their production under the guidance of their mentor, Miklós Szinetár, who during a career spanning more than seven decades has staged numerous acclaimed Mozart productions. The musical director of the performance is conductor and répétiteur Kálmán Szennai, who has not only coached and participated in many Mozart productions, but has also closely followed the work of the Opera Studio singers as one of their mentors.
In Le nozze di Figaro, Count Almaviva, determined to exercise the droit du seigneur, is performed by Gergely Halász, who this season has sung Mozart roles including the male lead in Bastien und Bastienne and has also appeared in The Telephone by Menotti. His intended conquest, Susanna, is portrayed by Anija Lombard, who received favourable reviews this spring for her performances as Marzelline in Fidelio and Zerlina in Don Giovanni. The cunning Figaro is sung by Xu Zhaochi, who, besides his cover assignments, has appeared as one of the four Brabant noblemen in Lohengrin. The role of Cherubino is performed by Vivienne Ortan, who has already portrayed the page hopelessly in love with the Countess in the Opera House production and recently apperaed as Zulma in L’italiana in Algeri. The scheming Don Basilio is sung by Benjamin Beeri, familiar to audiences from productions including Valuska, Lohengrin, and Stephen, the King.
The Opera Studio singers appearing in excerpts from Così fan tutte all followed the rehearsal process of the production that premiered to great success at the Eiffel Art Studios only a few weeks ago, serving as covers throughout. Among the four young lovers, Fiordiligi is performed by Gabriella Rea Fenyvesi, who, following a memorable last-minute replacement, also appeared as Musetta in the Dubai performances of La bohème. Dorabella is sung by Vivienne Ortan, Ferrando by Benjamin Beeri and Guglielmo by Gergely Halász. The worldly-wise maid Despina is portrayed by Lilla Takács, who appeared in Rigoletto this season, while the philosopher Don Alfonso is performed by the experienced character singer Zoltán Bátki Fazekas as a guest artist.
At the Éva Marton International Opera Studio’s examination concert on 5 June, the promising talents of the future will have an exceptional opportunity to present themselves in two of Mozart’s greatest masterpieces. The distinguished professionals supporting these young singers, together with the success of the Studio’s previous productions including the highly acclaimed concert version of Die Fledermaus presented at the Pesti Vigadó suggest that Friday’s event will offer many memorable moments for audiences.
Photos by Attila Nagy, László Emmer, Kira Varsányi
