DANUBE DAY GALA CONCERTS

on 22^nd and 23^rd July, 2005
 in Budapest Főplébánia Church.

The 'Főplébánia Church' is Budapest's oldest church. It is located on the Pest side of the Danube River near the Elizabeth Bridge at the Március 15 Square next to the ruins of a Roman age stone fortress (contra-fort) right across from the international Ship Station. In 1541 Suleiman, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire announced in this church that Pest, the city, became part of the Turkish Empire. The church was soon transformed into a Turkish mosque. The later restored church-building carries today architectural characteristics from the Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque times. A special reminiscence from the Turkish times can be found inside the church: an original Muslim prayer booth with a Turkish inscription.

The Battle in Nándorfehérvár of 12-22^nd July 1456, won by the allied Christian forces, is a particular historical memory not only for the countries alongside the Danube but also for their neighboring states. For six centuries this event has been commemorated through the ringing of bells at noon. On 6th August l457 Pope Calixtus III. had declared this victory a Holy Memory. Even in places of worship beyond Europe special tribute has been paid to one of the heroes of the victory, Saint John di Capistrano The Danube Celebration aims to present our historical religious, cultural values whilst drawing attention to the importance of environmental protection today.

Friday, 22^nd July

from 7 p.m.
Festive toast in the church-garden

7:30 p.m. in the church
Istvan Tringli: Nandorfehervar 1456

8 p.m.
"In Memoriam FERENC LISZT"

Choir of Budapest directed by Andras Toth and the Capistran Choir directed by Andras Viragh
Vocal: Krisztina Jonas - soprano, Kornelia Bakos - contralto, Janos Prevoz - tenor, Laszlo Palfi - bass, Erzsebet Achim - organ
conducted by Andras Viragh, Liszt Prize winner

Program:

Tu es Petrus,
Ave Maria stella,
Graduale from the Missa Choralis
Missa Choralis

Saturday, 23^rd July, 8 p.m.

Musica da Chiesa…
 selected sacral masterpieces

Performed by
Katalin Pitti and Andras Viragh, Liszt Prize winners

Program:

Johan Sebastian BACH: Preludium and Fugue in G major BWV
Two arias from the series 'Geistliche  Lieder'
Tommaso ALBINONI: Adagio
Giovanni Battista PERGOLESI: Stabat Mater – Aria
Ferenc LISZT: Choral
Giacomo ROSSINI: O Salutaris Hostia
Ferenc LISZT: Weichnachten IV
Mihaly MOSONYI: Et Incarnatus Est
Laszlo HALMOS: Benedictus
Ferenc LISZT:  Fantasia and Fugue B-A-C-H

Moderator: Tamas ZELINKA

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Tickets are available:
Ticket Express (06-30-30-30-99), Rózsavölgyi Ticket Office (318-3500), Publika (322-2010), MATÁV (302-3841), Cultur-Comfort Central Ticket Office(322-00-00), Academy of Music (342-0179) ÓMT (331-6947), at the venue, and in other known ticket offices

 THE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE