1956/70 – Festive gala concert i.m. Zoltán Kodály

As it is a latent Kodály season (for the centenary of the world premiere of Háry János), it seems only fitting that the concert at the Hungarian State Opera honouring the events of 1956 should feature works by the composer. In that same year, the short-lived Revolutionary Council of Hungarian Intellectuals elected him as its president. Throughout his entire oeuvre, Kodály consistently reinforced Hungarian national identity. The programme gains both colour and a ceremonial character from the hymn-like and dance-infused compositions as well as works connceted to Háry and the Opera House of the middle and later years of the composer.