On 11 November 2020, from 8:00 p.m, viewers of Facebook and Origo.hu could enjoy the highlights from two comic one-act operas. Der Schauspieldirektor by Mozart introduced audiences to the administrative affairs of a theatre, whereas Menotti's The Telephone tried to answer what to do if some unwanted third party interferes constantly in a love relationship.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Der Schauspieldirektor (The Impresario)
The singers are trampling over each other for positions in the company and attempting to squeeze as much cash as they can out of the director (Zoltán Bátki Fazekas), who is (naturally) in a financial pickle and wondering what to perform at the theatre. The would-be divas (Orsolya Hajnalka Rőser and Lilla Horti) indulge in a “singing competition”, with each of them delivering a bravura aria to show off their vocal virtuosity, and while both sing about serious subjects, each attempts to “out-sing” their rival. Then, in a trio, they hysterically try to surpass each other’s coloratura’s in order to prove which of them is the prima donna. In the end, with the intervention of the tenor (József Mukk) some kind of agreement is reached.
Gian Carlo Menotti: The Telephone
In the entire history of men asking women to marry them, anything that could go wrong has gone wrong at one time or another: the parents don't consent, the bride is in love with someone else, or perhaps the groom is, somebody dies, a war breaks out – the list goes on and on. An American fellow named Ben (Attila Erdős) also runs into a hurdle as he attempts to pop the question. While his is not quite as dramatic as the ones enumerated above, those whose partners in life – in this case, Lucy (Orsolya Sáfár) –happen to be addicted to their telephones shouldn't be surprised by what it is.
The performances were directed by Erika Tóth (Der Schauspieldirektor) and Albert Mányik (The Telephone).
Costumes by Krisztina Lisztopád (The Telephone)
Narrator: Dániel Mona
Featuring Sámuel Csaba Tóth (piano)
The performance can be viewed HERE.
Photo by Edina Ligeti