On the 550th anniversary of the Nándorfehérvár (Belgrade) Battle of 1456

DANUBE DAY CEREMONIAL CONCERTS

on 22^nd and 23^rd July 2006,
 in the Budapest Downtown Main Parish Church (Belvárosi Főplébániatemplom)

The Downtown Main Parish Church is the oldest church in Budapest. It is located on the Március 15 Square on the Pest side of the River Danube near the Elizabeth Bridge, next to the ruins of a Roman riverside fortress, not far from the international port. It was in this church in 1541 that the Sultan Suleyman declared the city of Pest a part of the Turkish Empire. The church was later used as a Turkish Mosque. The church, which was eventually restored to its original function, displays today architectural features of the Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque times. A unique treasure of the church today is an original Muslim mihrab preserved with a Turkish inscription.

Fought by the allied European Christian forces on 12th - 22nd July 1456, the victorious Battle of Nándorfehérvár (Belgrade, Serbia) is a special historical event equally dear to the hearts of people living in the countries alongside the River Danube as well as the neighbouring countries. As a memorable event of global history, this battle has been commemorated also by non-Hungarians living in other continents, sometimes quite unconsciously, for the past six centuries, whenever the midday bells were rung. In memory of the victory, Pope Calistus III adopted the Feast of the Transfiguration of Christ for the universal church on 6th August 1457. Saint John Capistran, one of the heroes of the Nándorfehérvár Battle is worshipped in Catholic shrines even outside Europe. The name of this event (Danube Day Celebration) is symbolic in many respects, as these programs are intended to commemorate the events essential to the history of humanity, and to display the heritage of religious and cultural communities, as well as the values important for environmental protection.

on Saturday, 22^nd July

from 7:00 pm
Ceremonial toast in the church-garden

from 7:30 pm
a lecture inside the church

István Tringli:

Nándorfehérvár 1456

from 8:00 pm
"Let Me Never Be Confounded!"

Alajos Tamás: Nándorfehérvár 1456 oratorio and Rezső Sugár: Heroic Song - selections

The Budapest Choir, choir master Gergely Kaposi and the Capistran Choir, choir master András Virágh
The Monarchy Symphonic Orchestra
Anna Herczenik - soprano, Kornélia Bakos - alto, László Jekl - baritone, Ferenc Korpás - bass,
János Prevoz - tenor, István Szennai - tenor

Conductor: András Virágh, Liszt Prize winner artist

on Sunday, 23^rd July

from 8:00 pm

on the 150^th anniversary of its first performance,

Ferenc Liszt's

Esztergom Mass

The Budapest Choir, choir master Gergely Kaposi and

The Downtown Main Parish Church Choir, choir master András Virágh

Etelka Csavlek - soprano, Viktória Mester - alto, András Molnár - tenor,

Máté Szécsi - bass, András Gábor Virágh - organist

Conductor: András Virágh, Liszt Prize winner artist

Master of the ceremony: TAMÁS ZELINKA

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Tickets are available:
at Ticket Express (06-30-30-30-99), Cultur-Comfort Central Ticket Office (322-00-00), Rózsavölgyi Ticket Office (266-8337), Publika (322-2010), MATÁV (302-3841), Music Academy (342-0179), Blaguss (327-9020), ÓMT (331-6947), at the venue, and in other known ticket offices.

 THE PROGRAM IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND ALL RIGHTS ARE RESERVED