Budapest. Summer Festival

Budapest bursts to life every summer during their indulgent Summer Festival, presenting some of the top names in international theatre and opera.  Priding itself on the indulgent and colourful line up, it’s set on the Margaret Island Open-air Stage from June through August.

For the first time ever, visitors can be transported to and from Margaret Island by a sightseeing dinner boat, adding a romantic element to the experience.  Margaret Island is a lush oasis, covered in fragrant flowers and towering trees, there’s even a small zoo and not to be missed national monuments.  The open-air stage of the island is the only like it in the country, and offers views to the Water Tower monument.   It’s worthwhile to get to the island a little early to climb the tower and check out the view the 53-meter observation point.   Equipped for every type of performance, from opera to rock concerts, it’s a stunning venue for the summer festivities.

Highlights of this years programme include Boris Godunov, returning to Hungary’s stages after years.  Performing on the 24th and 30th of July, it promises to be a masterpiece of Slavic opera with stunning scenery, starring artists from the Bolsoi Theatre in Moscow.

Many premières are featured, including the musical version of Mór Jókai’s novel, Szegény gazdagok (Poor Riches), as well as the latest work of co-writers, György Szomor and Tibor Miklós, the Robin Hood musical.  There’s an entire Robin Hood festival to be held in conjunction with the première, in the Great Meadow of Margaret Island.  Entertainments include jousting, fencing, and fanciful period costumes.  Aida will be performed, by audience demand, for the first time at the festival since it’s wildly successful debut at the 2007 Summer Festival.

The festival is reason enough to plan a trip to Budapest, when the evenings are long and cool and the stages and the skies promise to be filled with stars. The Lánchíd 19 Hotel is a must have indulgence when in Budapest.  Views over the Danube and the city are spectacular, and while your evenings are filled with opera and theatre, you can fill your days exploring the heart of this colourful city, just outside your door.

http://eng.szabadter.hu/

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Categories: Budapest, Culture

Contributing writer: Alicia Reuter