Zoltán Kodály‘s folk opera relates the sensational adventures of the titular hussar veteran from Nagyabony. With his wits, strength and courage, Háry overcomes every situation, even defeating Napoleon single-handedly. His loyalty is unshakeable: declining the love of the royal consort, he chooses his home sweetheart Örzse instead, and his humble village of Nagyabony over the imperial throne. With no regard for glory or power, he returns home to his own people. According to Kodály, Háry is “the personification of the Hungarian story-telling imagination. He does not tell lies; he imagines stories; he is a poet. What he tells us may never have happened, but he has experienced it in spirit, so it is more real than reality. Something similar was needed for the music to the piece, and I don’t know how well it succeeded. But I do know that the songs of the protagonists are good. They are the pearls; only the settings are mine. I have tried to be worthy of them.” The audience for this show can encounter Kodály’s immortal hero in a special adaptation for theatre using both puppets and live performers.

Age: 10-14 year

Presented by: Müpa Budapest