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Bánk bán

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.[1]

Bánk bán
Opera by Ferenc Erkel
Portrait of Erkel by
Alajos Györgyi Giergl, 1850
LibrettistBéni Egressy
LanguageHungarian
Based onlife of Gertrude of Merania
Premiere
9 March 1861 (1861-03-09)

Roles edit

Roles, voice types, premiere cast
Role Voice type Premiere cast, 9 March 1861[1]
Conductor: Ferenc Erkel
II. Endre (Andrew II), King of Hungary baritone or bass-baritone Louis von Bignio
Gertrude, his queen mezzo-soprano Zsófia Hofbauer
Otto, Gertrude's brother, [son of Berthold IV] tenor Albert Telek
Bánk bán, the viceroy tenor József Ellinger
Melinda, his wife soprano Cornélia Hollósy
Patúr-Petur bán, leader of the nobles baritone Karóly Köszeghy
Tiborc, a peasant baritone Mihály Füredy
Biberach, knight-errant baritone or bass-baritone
A royal officer tenor
Flag bearer baritone

Synopsis edit

Setting: Hungary in the year 1213

Act 1 edit

King Endre II, the monarch of the country, is fighting abroad while Gertrude, his queen, who is of Meranian birth, plays hostess to the leading members of the Court (in the first place foreigners) at prodigal feasts. Bán Bánk, the king's deputy, is touring the poverty-ridden country while Otto, the Queen's younger brother, is trying to seduce Bánk's beautiful wife Melinda. A group of angry Magyar nobles headed by Bán Petur are plotting a conspiracy against the queen, anxious for the fate of their homeland and the honour of Bánk's wife. Petur has sent for Bánk, hoping to recruit him for their cause. The Bán arrives, but is outraged that his old friend would dare threaten the throne. When Petur informs him of Otto's advances toward Melinda, however, Bánk promises that he shall attend their meeting.

Act 2 edit

Bánk, distraught, prays over his nation and his good name. On the porch of the castle of Visegrád, Tiborc, an old peasant, tells Bánk about the desperate poverty of the entire country, a grave consequence of the wasteful extravagance of the foreigners, but Bánk is so overcome by the tragedy of his own position that he listens only halfheartedly. It is revealed that Tiborc, a vassal of the Bán, saved his life at a battle long ago; Bánk promises his aid. Otto, encouraged by the Queen's open approval, attempts to seduce Melinda, without success. He drugs and rapes her. The desperate woman staggers to her husband half insane with shame. In his bitter grief Bánk blasts a terrible curse at his own son, but then raises to himself the innocent little boy, giving solace to his wife. Finally, he asks Tiborc to escort Melinda and their little son to their home, a castle in East Hungary, beyond the River Tisza.

In the throne-room Bánk calls the Queen to account for plunging the country into poverty and for the honour of his betrayed wife. Gertrude counters him with contemptuous scorn and draws a dagger. Bánk wrests the dagger from her hand, and in the scuffle, she is fatally stabbed. Bánk laments over the actions he has been forced to take.

Act 3 edit

Tiborc reaches the bank of the Tisza River with Melinda and her little son. In a fit of insanity, Melinda throws herself into the waves together with her son, within view of the helpless old peasant.

Endre II returns. Standing by his queen's funeral bier, he calls to the nobles to account for the murder, who deny having had a part in the assault on the Queen. Bánk, however, admits that, convinced of her guilt which was known to all, he killed the Queen deliberately. King and Viceroy face each other with swords almost drawn when Tiborc arrives with the corpses of Melinda and the child. The sword drops from Bánk's grip, and he collapses over the bodies of his wife and son. The nobles and retainers pray for the repose of all the dead.

Recordings edit

Year Orchestra and conductor Cast Label
1956 Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra and Hungarian State Opera Chorus; Vilmos Komor [hu] (conductor) László Jámbor, Rózsi Delly, László Külkei, József Joviczky, Júlia Osváth, Jánoz Fodor, György Melis, György Radnai, József Bódy, Miklós Tóth. Recorded at the Erkel Theatre. LP: Qualiton HLPX 150-52 (three record set) (1956)
1969 Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra and Hungarian State Opera Chorus; János Ferencsik (conductor) András Faragó, András Rajna, György Melis, László Palócz, Sándor Sólyom-Nagy, József Simándy, Karola Ágay, Erzsébet Komlóssy, József Réti, Imre Jóky LP: Hungaroton LPX11376 – 78 (three record set) (1969)
CD: DANACORD (two disc set) (1986)
1993 Hungarian Festival Chorus and Budapest Symphonists; Géza Oberfrank (conductor) János Gurbán (II. Endre), Eva Marton (Gertrud), Tamás Daróczy (Ottó), András Molnár (Bánk Bán), Ingrid Kertesi (Melinda), István Gáti (Tiborc), Mihály Kálmándi (Petur Bán), Csaba Airizer (Biberach), Attila Fülöp (Royal officer), Pál Oberfrank (Ensign). Recorded 12–22 September 1993, Alpha Line Studio at the Italian Institute, Budapest CD: Alpha Line Records ALR 005-07 (three-disc set)
2001 Orchestra of the Hungarian Millennium, Honvéd Men's Chorus, Hungarian National Chorus; Tamás Pál [hu] (conductor) Kolos Kováts (The King of Hungary), Eva Marton (The Queen), Dénes Gulyás (Ottó, Prince of Meran), Atilla Kiss B. (Bánk Bán, Palatine of Hungary), Andrea Rost (his wife), Lajos Miller (Tiborc, a peasant), Sándor Sólyom-Nágy (Petur Bán, The Lord of Bihar), Attils Réti (Biberach, knight-adventurer), Bence Asztalos (Sólom Mester). Recorded 13–19 March 2001, Phoenix Studio, Budapest CD: Warner Music Hungary 0927 44606 (two disc set)
2011 Hungarian State Opera Chorus and Orchestra; Domonkos Héja [de; hu] (conductor) Tamás Busa, Gyöngyi Lukács, Attila Fekete, János Bándi, Ingrid Kertesi, Mihály Kálmándi, Csaba Szegedi, Béla Perencz, Lázsló Beöthy-Kiss CD: Opera Studio MAO001 (three disc set)

References edit

  1. ^ a b Casaglia, Gherardo (2005). "Bánk bán, 9 March 1861". L'Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia (in Italian).

External links edit

bánk, bán, play, józsef, katona, play, 1914, film, bánk, bán, film, opera, acts, composer, ferenc, erkel, work, uses, hungarian, language, libretto, béni, egressy, which, based, stage, play, same, name, józsef, katona, bán, english, similar, viceroy, duke, pal. For the play by Jozsef Katona see Bank ban play For the 1914 film see Bank Ban film Bank ban is an opera in 3 acts by composer Ferenc Erkel The work uses a Hungarian language libretto by Beni Egressy which is based on a stage play of the same name by Jozsef Katona Ban 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 Szinhaz in Pest on 9 March 1861 1 Bank banOpera by Ferenc ErkelPortrait of Erkel byAlajos Gyorgyi Giergl 1850LibrettistBeni EgressyLanguageHungarianBased onlife of Gertrude of MeraniaPremiere9 March 1861 1861 03 09 Pesti Nemzeti Magyar Szinhaz Pest Contents 1 Roles 2 Synopsis 2 1 Act 1 2 2 Act 2 2 3 Act 3 3 Recordings 4 References 5 External linksRoles editRoles voice types premiere cast Role Voice type Premiere cast 9 March 1861 1 Conductor Ferenc ErkelII Endre Andrew II King of Hungary baritone or bass baritone Louis von BignioGertrude his queen mezzo soprano Zsofia HofbauerOtto Gertrude s brother son of Berthold IV tenor Albert TelekBank ban the viceroy tenor Jozsef EllingerMelinda his wife soprano Cornelia HollosyPatur Petur ban leader of the nobles baritone Karoly KoszeghyTiborc a peasant baritone Mihaly FuredyBiberach knight errant baritone or bass baritoneA royal officer tenorFlag bearer baritoneSynopsis editSetting Hungary in the year 1213 Act 1 edit King Endre II the monarch of the country is fighting abroad while Gertrude his queen who is of Meranian birth plays hostess to the leading members of the Court in the first place foreigners at prodigal feasts Ban Bank the king s deputy is touring the poverty ridden country while Otto the Queen s younger brother is trying to seduce Bank s beautiful wife Melinda A group of angry Magyar nobles headed by Ban Petur are plotting a conspiracy against the queen anxious for the fate of their homeland and the honour of Bank s wife Petur has sent for Bank hoping to recruit him for their cause The Ban arrives but is outraged that his old friend would dare threaten the throne When Petur informs him of Otto s advances toward Melinda however Bank promises that he shall attend their meeting Act 2 edit Bank distraught prays over his nation and his good name On the porch of the castle of Visegrad Tiborc an old peasant tells Bank about the desperate poverty of the entire country a grave consequence of the wasteful extravagance of the foreigners but Bank is so overcome by the tragedy of his own position that he listens only halfheartedly It is revealed that Tiborc a vassal of the Ban saved his life at a battle long ago Bank promises his aid Otto encouraged by the Queen s open approval attempts to seduce Melinda without success He drugs and rapes her The desperate woman staggers to her husband half insane with shame In his bitter grief Bank blasts a terrible curse at his own son but then raises to himself the innocent little boy giving solace to his wife Finally he asks Tiborc to escort Melinda and their little son to their home a castle in East Hungary beyond the River Tisza In the throne room Bank calls the Queen to account for plunging the country into poverty and for the honour of his betrayed wife Gertrude counters him with contemptuous scorn and draws a dagger Bank wrests the dagger from her hand and in the scuffle she is fatally stabbed Bank laments over the actions he has been forced to take Act 3 edit Tiborc reaches the bank of the Tisza River with Melinda and her little son In a fit of insanity Melinda throws herself into the waves together with her son within view of the helpless old peasant Endre II returns Standing by his queen s funeral bier he calls to the nobles to account for the murder who deny having had a part in the assault on the Queen Bank however admits that convinced of her guilt which was known to all he killed the Queen deliberately King and Viceroy face each other with swords almost drawn when Tiborc arrives with the corpses of Melinda and the child The sword drops from Bank s grip and he collapses over the bodies of his wife and son The nobles and retainers pray for the repose of all the dead Recordings editYear Orchestra and conductor Cast Label1956 Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra and Hungarian State Opera Chorus Vilmos Komor hu conductor Laszlo Jambor Rozsi Delly Laszlo Kulkei Jozsef Joviczky Julia Osvath Janoz Fodor Gyorgy Melis Gyorgy Radnai Jozsef Body Miklos Toth Recorded at the Erkel Theatre LP Qualiton HLPX 150 52 three record set 1956 1969 Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra and Hungarian State Opera Chorus Janos Ferencsik conductor Andras Farago Andras Rajna Gyorgy Melis Laszlo Palocz Sandor Solyom Nagy Jozsef Simandy Karola Agay Erzsebet Komlossy Jozsef Reti Imre Joky LP Hungaroton LPX11376 78 three record set 1969 CD DANACORD two disc set 1986 1993 Hungarian Festival Chorus and Budapest Symphonists Geza Oberfrank conductor Janos Gurban II Endre Eva Marton Gertrud Tamas Daroczy Otto Andras Molnar Bank Ban Ingrid Kertesi Melinda Istvan Gati Tiborc Mihaly Kalmandi Petur Ban Csaba Airizer Biberach Attila Fulop Royal officer Pal Oberfrank Ensign Recorded 12 22 September 1993 Alpha Line Studio at the Italian Institute Budapest CD Alpha Line Records ALR 005 07 three disc set 2001 Orchestra of the Hungarian Millennium Honved Men s Chorus Hungarian National Chorus Tamas Pal hu conductor Kolos Kovats The King of Hungary Eva Marton The Queen Denes Gulyas Otto Prince of Meran Atilla Kiss B Bank Ban Palatine of Hungary Andrea Rost his wife Lajos Miller Tiborc a peasant Sandor Solyom Nagy Petur Ban The Lord of Bihar Attils Reti Biberach knight adventurer Bence Asztalos Solom Mester Recorded 13 19 March 2001 Phoenix Studio Budapest CD Warner Music Hungary 0927 44606 two disc set 2011 Hungarian State Opera Chorus and Orchestra Domonkos Heja de hu conductor Tamas Busa Gyongyi Lukacs Attila Fekete Janos Bandi Ingrid Kertesi Mihaly Kalmandi Csaba Szegedi Bela Perencz Lazslo Beothy Kiss CD Opera Studio MAO001 three disc set References edit a b Casaglia Gherardo 2005 Bank ban 9 March 1861 L Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia in Italian External links editBank ban Erkel Scores at the International Music Score Library Project Portal nbsp Opera Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bank ban amp oldid 1143731509, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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