BUDAPEST - 2010
Music and the arts have flourished in Budapest as the city has regained both its freedom and its reputation as a cultural centre. The State Opera House dates from 1884 and was built as a rival to the opera houses of Paris and Vienna. Its previous musical directors have included Gustav Mahler and Otto Klemperer. The State Opera hosts orchestral concerts from the Budapest Philharmonic.

The programme for the new season in Budapest is a varied one and as well as the standard repertoire there are many opportunities to sample specifically Hungarian Music. There is Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle, Ranki’s King Pomade’s New Clothes, Dohnány’s opera C’est la Guerre in a double bill with his ballet Variations on a Nursery Song, Kodaly’s Szekely Spinnery and Bánk Bán by the great Hungarian Nationalist composer Ferenc Erkel.

One great Hungarian composer whose work will not be presented at the State Opera House is Franz Liszt who never composed an opera or a ballet. His works are featured though in Budapest’s busy concert life. There are frequent performances at many venues including the Danube Palace and an interesting option is to take an evening dinner cruise on Budapest’s Operetta Ship, where musicians and singers from the State Opera provide the entertainment. Just up the road from the State Opera House is the Budapest Operetta Theatre where performances of works by Lehár and Johann Strauss can be heard throughout the season.

Budapest has many sights and attractions for the visitor and those with a particular interest in music will have much to see. As well as the State Opera House and the Erkel Theatre there is also the Kodály Museum, Franz Liszt’s apartment, the Operetta Theatre and the Franz Liszt Academy of Music. In addition to the staged performances Budapest also has a busy concert life and we can obtain programmes and concert tickets.

The prices shown below include return flights, airport transfers and three hotel nights with breakfast. We are always pleased to arrange holidays to individual preferences

Tariff (flights from Heathrow, London)

Hotel Detail

	Hotel Fiesta *** This hotel is situated in the heart of the historic centre of the city in a magnificent building which is part of the capital's architectural heritage. All rooms have en-suite facilities, telephone, satellite TV, mini bar and air conditioning. The hotel restaurant offers Hungarian and International cuisine. The Hotel Fiesta is a reasonable walking distance to the State Opera House.
	Hotel Nemzeti **** The Hotel Nemzeti was built at the end of the 19th century in the Art Nouveau style and it is located in the centre of the city close to the shopping area and the historic monuments. The rooms have en-suite facilities, air conditioning, hair dryer, direct line telephone and PC connections. Its restaurant offers a wide variety of Hungarian and European dishes. The meals are accompanied by live Gypsy music in the evenings. The Hotel Nemzeti is a short taxi journey to the State Opera House.
	Corinthian Grand Hotel Royal ***** This luxurious hotel is located in the heart of Budapest on the elegant Erzebet Boulevard. All 414 rooms are of a superior standard equipped with satellite TV, safe mini-bar and air-conditioning. The hotel has four excellent restaurants and it also houses boutiques and small specialist shops. A spa has been rediscovered adjacent to the hotel. The spa will offer medical treatments, a swimming pool, a sauna, recreation and fitness programmes and a juice bar. The Corinthian Grand Royal Hotel is a reasonable walking distance to the State Opera House.