Bánk bán
Music by Ferenc Erkel · libretto by Béni Egressy · premiered 1861
Bánk bán is an opera in 3 acts by composer Ferenc Erkel. The work uses a Hungarian-language libretto by Béni Egressy which is based on a stage play of the same name by József Katona. (Bán is ban in English, similar to a viceroy, a duke or palatine.) The main storyline is based on the assassination of Queen Gertrude, wife of Andrew II in 1213. The opera was first performed at the Pesti Nemzeti Magyar Szinház in Pest on 9 March 1861.
Text from the Wikipedia article "Bánk bán", licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
About the Composer
Ferenc Erkel (Hungarian: Erkel Ferenc Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈɛrkɛl ˈfɛrɛnt͡s], German: Franz Erkel; November 7, 1810 – June 15, 1893) was a Hungarian composer, conductor and pianist. He was the father of Hungarian grand opera, written mainly on historical themes, which are still often performed in Hungary. He also composed the music of "Himnusz", the national anthem of Hungary, which was adopted in 1844. He died in Budapest.
Text from the Wikipedia article "Ferenc Erkel", licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Other Operas by Ferenc Erkel
- Bátori Mária (1840)
- Hunyadi László (1844)
- György Dózsa (1867)
- Brankovics György (1874)
- István király (1886)