Hungarian Musical Guide XVI. [antikvár]

REBIRTH OF THE BUDAPEST VIGADÓ On January 1, 1865, one of the major dailies of the Hungárián capital, carried the following advertisement: "The leaseholders of the recently built Redoute of the town of Pest have the honour to inform their respected public that the decorated and brilliantly lit Redoute Halls will be opened on Sunday, January 15, 1865 with a grand ball." For 80 years, the Vigadó played an extremely important role in the cultural life of Budapest, until the end of the Second World War when it was almost completely destroyed. The originál building on this site, another Redoute, was opened in January 1833, alsó with a ball. However, this only operated for 16 years when in May 1849, at the end of the Hungárián War of Independence, the attacking Austrian army ruined it with cannon fire. Nevertheless, for 16 years here the audience enjoyed the orchestras of Johann Strauss and Lanner, Ferenc Liszt, and Henri Vieuxtemps. Although the second Redoute on the Pest embankment was the frequent venue of glittering balls, the extensive hall of the Vigadó in this fine palace, (arch.: Frigyes Feszi) built in a romantic style with orientál touches, primarily served the aims of music. From among the many globe-trotting Hungárián artists, we should mention Ferenc Liszt, the pianist, composer, and music pedagogue, who soon after the opening of the building, in August 1865, introduced his new oratorio, the Legend of St. Elizábeth. At the end of the year, Liszt's Dante symphony was presented, and in 1867 the Grand Mass, written for the coronation of Emperor Franz Joseph. From among the many, one should remember two famous concerts with the cooperation of Ferenc Liszt. On December 16, 1870 on the 100th anniversary of Beethoven's birth, Liszt conducted his Beethoven cantata, and on March 10, 1875 Liszt and Wagner held a joint concert for the benefit of the Bayreuth Festival. Liszt's new "The Strasbourg Bells" and a few of Wagner's own compositions were played. Liszt continued to appear in the Vigadó as a pianist and conductor, and this phase of his life, almost until his death, was closely connected with the concert hall. His contact with Budapest and the Vigadó became even closer when in 1875 he enthusiastically accepted the presidency of the Academy of Music. As such, he spent a lot of time in his country, and he hardly missed any concert in the Vigadó, if not as a performer, as one of the audience. The Philharmonia Society is alsó closely connected with this building. The Society was set up in 1853 from the musicians of the National Theatre, which at that time alsó played operas. Initially the orchestra played in the gala hall of the National Museum, but when it was occupied for other