The French composer Reynaldo Hahn (1874–1947), largely unknown in Hungary, was born in Venezuela to descendants of German-Jewish ancestors from Hamburg but became a thoroughly French composer after moving with his family as a young child to Paris, where he spent most of his life. He was a popular figure on the French artistic scene around the turn of the century, enjoying close friendships with such prominent personalities as Sarah Bernhardt and Marcel Proust. As a versatile composer, he wrote in many genres, including operettas and film music, and often sang his own songs himself. His music has experienced a renaissance in recent decades. The opera La Carmélite, composed in 1902 to a libretto by the French Parnassian poet Catulle Mendès, is a comédie musicale. Its Hungarian premiere in the original language is being presented under the baton of Kossuth Prize-winning conductor György Vashegyi in a co-production between the National Philharmonic Orchestra and Palazzetto Bru Zane. The international cast features a number of singers who are returning favourites with Hungarian audiences, including Hélène Guilmette, Julien Henric, Michèle Losier, Aude Extrémo, Judith van Wanroij, and Artavazd Sargsyan.

Co-production by Palazzetto Bru Zane and the Hungarian National Philharmonic.

The score was published by Heugel and revised by Palazzetto Bru Zane.

Presented by: Hungarian National Philharmonic