Háry János
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''Háry János'' is a Hungarian folk
opera Opera is a form of History of theatre#European theatre, Western theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by Singing, singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically ...
by
Zoltán Kodály Zoltán Kodály (, ; , ; 16 December 1882 – 6 March 1967) was a Hungarian composer, ethnomusicologist, music pedagogue, linguist, and philosopher. He is well known internationally as the creator of the Kodály method of music education. ...
with a Hungarian
libretto A libretto (From the Italian word , ) is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or Musical theatre, musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to th ...
by Béla Paulini and Zsolt Harsányi. The opera, in four acts, is in the manner of a ''
Singspiel A Singspiel (; plural: ; ) is a form of German-language music drama, now regarded as a genre of opera. It is characterized by spoken dialogue, which is alternated with ensembles, songs, ballads, and arias which were often strophic, or folk- ...
'' and is based on the comic epic ''The Veteran'' (''Az obsitos'') by János Garay about a supposed veteran named Háry János. The subtitle of the piece is ''Háry János kalandozásai Nagyabonytul a Burgváráig'' – ''János Háry: his Adventures from Nagyabony (Great Abony) to the Vienna Burg''.Tallian T. Háry János. In: ''The New Grove Dictionary of Opera.'' Macmillan, London and New York, 1997. The 1926 première was at the
Royal Hungarian Opera House The Hungarian State Opera House ( ) is a historic opera house located in central Budapest, on Andrássy avenue. Originally known as the Hungarian Royal Opera House, it was designed by Miklós Ybl, a major figure of 19th-century Hungarian architect ...
, Budapest. The UK stage première was at the
Buxton Festival The Buxton International Festival is an annual summer festival of opera, music and (since 2000) a literary series, held in Buxton, Derbyshire, England since its beginnings in July 1979. The 2020 festival was cancelled due to the Covid-19 crisis. ...
in 1982 conducted by Anthony Hose, with
Alan Opie Alan Opie (born 22 March 1945) is a British baritone, primarily known as an opera singer. Education Opie was born in Redruth, Cornwall, and attended Truro School. He went to Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge University as a choral studen ...
in the title role. Milnes R. Two resounding sneezes. ''3
adio 3 magazine Adio may refer to: Government *Abu Dhabi Investment Office, a government investments and special projects entity based in Abu Dhabi Business *Adio (company), the former skateboard footwear and apparel company Music Songs * "Adio" (song), a song ...
', January 1983, pp, 41-46.


Background

The story is of a veteran
hussar A hussar, ; ; ; ; . was a member of a class of light cavalry, originally from the Kingdom of Hungary during the 15th and 16th centuries. The title and distinctive dress of these horsemen were subsequently widely adopted by light cavalry ...
in the
Austrian Austrian may refer to: * Austrians, someone from Austria or of Austrian descent ** Someone who is considered an Austrian citizen * Austrian German dialect * Something associated with the country Austria, for example: ** Austria-Hungary ** Austria ...
army An army, ground force or land force is an armed force that fights primarily on land. In the broadest sense, it is the land-based military branch, service branch or armed service of a nation or country. It may also include aviation assets by ...
in the first half of the 19th century who sits in the village inn regaling his listeners with fantastic tales of heroism (in the tradition of
Miles Gloriosus ''Alazṓn'' () is one of three stock characters in comedy of the theatre of ancient Greece. He is the opponent of the '' eirôn''. The ''alazṓn'' is an impostor that sees himself as greater than he actually is. The ''senex iratus'' (the angr ...
). His supposed exploits include winning the heart of the Empress
Marie Louise Marie Louise or Marie-Louise is a French feminine given name, compound given name. In other languages, it may take one of several alternate forms: * Maria Luiza (Bulgarian, Portuguese) * Maria Luisa (Italian, Spanish) * Maria Luise (German) * Mari ...
, the wife of
Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...
, and then single-handedly defeating Napoleon and his armies. Nevertheless, he finally renounces all riches in order to go back to his village with his sweetheart. Kodály wrote in his preface to the score: "Háry is a peasant, a veteran soldier who day after day sits at the tavern spinning yarns about his heroic exploits... the stories released by his imagination are an inextricable mixture of realism and naivety, of comic humour and pathos." He also comments that "though superficially he appears to be merely a braggart, essentially he is a natural visionary and poet. That his stories are not true is irrelevant, for they are the fruit of a lively imagination, seeking to create, for himself and for others, a beautiful dream world." ''Háry János'' embodies the poetic power of folklore to go beyond political frustrations; Kodály intended to bring his national folk music to an operatic setting. Both the opera and the suite begin with an orchestral 'musical sneeze', best explained in Kodály's own words: "According to Hungarian superstition, if a statement is followed by a sneeze of one of the hearers, it is regarded as confirmation of its truth. The Suite begins with a sneeze of this kind! One of Háry's group of faithful listeners … sneezes at the wildest assertions of the old tale-spinner." At the request of the Universal publishing house in Vienna, Kodály himself described the message behind ''Háry János'': "Every Hungarian is a dreamer. He flees from the sad reality of the centuries...into the world of illusions. Yet Háry János's boasting is more than a dream: it is also poetry. The authors of heroic tales are themselves no heroes, but they are the spiritual kin of heroes. Háry János may never have done the deeds he talks about, but the potential is always there. János is a primitive poet, and what he has to say he concentrates in a single hero: himself. After we have listened to the heroic feats he has dreamed up, it is tragically symbolic that we see him in a grubby village inn. He appears happy in his poverty: a king in the kingdom of his dreams."


Roles


Synopsis

Overture ''Prologue – The Tale Begins'' In the Hungarian village of Nagyabony people gather at the tavern. A picture of Napoleon hangs on the wall. The regulars and students wait glass in hand for the next tale from the old soldier Háry János. ''First Adventure – On the frontier near Moscow'' A border crossing point between Galicia and Russia; there is frost and ice on the Russian side, sun shining and flowers blooming on the Hungarian side. János, after having got rid of all his female admirers meets Örzse. The court chamberlain complains that Mária Lujza and her retinue have not been able to cross the frontier. Örzse and János talk with Marci, a Hungarian coachman working at the French Court, who tells them that Mária Lujza, the daughter of the Emperor, is being refused passage by the Russian guard. János pushes the border gate along the ground, so that she finds herself across the Hungarian frontier. Marci toasts the young couple as Örzse and János sing a duet. Ebelasztin says the noise is disturbing the rest of the princess. However, when Mária Lujza enters she takes a fancy to János and invites him to come to Vienna and enter the Imperial Guard. He asks for double rations for his horse, Hungarian livery for Marci, and for Örzse to come with him. The Russian sentry is worried that he will be punished if he is found in the wrong country. Ebelasztin fails to push the frontier post back, but János manages to do it. ''Intermezzo'' ''Second Adventure – In the Garden of the Imperial Palace, Vienna Burg'' The park is resplendent. In the course of conversation between János and Marci Ebelasztin's dislike of János becomes clear. Mária Lujza tells János to seek her if he ever needs assistance. Ebelasztin sends János to the stables where he has to ride the wildest horse, but János returns from the roof unruffled by the ride. Mária Lujza points out János to the Empress. The envious Ebelasztin tells Örzse that he has in his pocket the declaration of war from Napoleon which he intends to use; moments later military sounds emerge from inside the palace. János has been promoted to captain by the Emperor. As the curtain falls an enormous cannon is wheeled on. ''Third Adventure – A battlefield near Milan.'' Háry János, by now promoted to the rank of colonel, single-handedly wins the battle with the wind from drawing his sword, and has Napoleon kneeling for mercy. The emperor's wife now wants to win his heart, to the consternation of Örzse. Mária Lujza and Örzse argue over János, who refuses to marry the princess, who herself threatens suicide. János saves the situation and leads the soldiers in a rousing march. ''Fourth Adventure – Imperial Palace, Vienna Burg.'' The preparations for the wedding of the hero János and the infatuated princess are under way, but János can't eat. All the archdukes come and pay homage to the hero. Örzse arrives to take leave of Háry but, now an infantryman, he swears allegiance to the Emperor, whether as a soldier or farmer. True to her and to his homeland, despite all the imperial trappings they leave the court. ''Epilogue'' Back at the inn in Nagyabony, János concludes by telling his sleeping audience that the condition of freeing Napoleon was that a gold watch should be sent to the headman of the village, who replies that he never got it. János states that the only person who can corroborate his story is Örzse, who is now dead.


Musical numbers

* (A 'Theatre Overture' (Színházi nyitány, K.13) originally written for ''Háry János'', exists mainly as a separate orchestral piece) * The Tale Begins – orchestra * A Hussar is playing the pipe (A furulyázó huszár) – instrumental * Song: ''The red apple has fallen in the mud'' (''Piros alma leesett a sárba'' – Háry, Örzse) * Plead: ''Oh mr. murky water, please get it together'' * Drinking Song: ''Oh how many fishes'' (''Ó, mely sok hal'' – Marci) * Duet: ''This side of the Tisza'' (''Tiszán innen, Dunán túl'' – Háry, Örzse) * Intermezzo – orchestra * Song: ''My little cuckoo'' (''Ku-ku-ku-kuskám'' – Marie-Louise) * Viennese Musical Clock – orchestra * Song: ''How did you get here?'' (''Hogyan tudtál, rozsám'' – Örzse) * Song: ''Hey, two of my hens'' (''Haj, két tikom tavali'' – Örzse) * Chorus of soldiers: ''Oh, they took me'' (''Sej, besoroztak'') * The Battle of Napoleon – orchestra * Song: ''Oh you old porcupine'' (''O, te vén sülülülülü'' – Napoleon) * Song: ''Leave me, tourmenter'' (''Hagyj békét, viaskodó'' – Ebelasztin) * Recruiting dance: ''The good cavalier'' (''A jó lovas katonának'' – Háry, Chorus) * Duet with chorus: ''I've lit a candle for the bridegroom'' (''Gyujtottam gyertyát'' – Empress, Marie-Louise, ladies-in-waiting) * Entry of the Emperor and his cortege – orchestra * March and Children's chorus: ''A, B, C, D'' (''Ábécédé'') * Song: ''I am poor'' (''Szegény vagyok'' – Örzse) * Song: ''I will plough the emperor's courtyard'' (''Felszántom a császár udvarát'' – Háry) * Closing chorus: ''Poor brave Hungarian people'' (''Szegény derék magyar nép'' – Háry, Örzse)


Suite

From the music of the opera, Kodály extracted the orchestral ''Háry János Suite'', a popular piece in the classical repertoire. This notably includes the
cimbalom The cimbalom, cimbal (; ) or concert cimbalom is a type of chordophone composed of a large, trapezoidal box on legs with metal strings stretched across its top and a damping pedal underneath. It was designed and created by József Schunda, V. ...
, a traditional Hungarian variant of the
hammer dulcimer The hammered dulcimer (also called the hammer dulcimer) is a percussion-string instrument which consists of strings typically stretched over a trapezoidal resonant sound board. The hammered dulcimer is set before the musician, who in more tradi ...
. The world première of the suite was at the Gran Teatro del Liceo Barcelona, on 24 March 1927, by the Pau Casals Orchester conducted by Antal Fleischer.Universal Edition page on Háry János Suite
Accessed 1 June 2011.
The suite is scored for three flutes (all doubling
piccolo The piccolo ( ; ) is a smaller version of the western concert flute and a member of the woodwind family of musical instruments. Sometimes referred to as a "baby flute" or piccolo flute, the modern piccolo has the same type of fingerings as the ...
), 2
oboe The oboe ( ) is a type of double-reed woodwind instrument. Oboes are usually made of wood, but may also be made of synthetic materials, such as plastic, resin, or hybrid composites. The most common type of oboe, the soprano oboe pitched in C, ...
s, 2
clarinet The clarinet is a Single-reed instrument, single-reed musical instrument in the woodwind family, with a nearly cylindrical bore (wind instruments), bore and a flared bell. Clarinets comprise a Family (musical instruments), family of instrume ...
s in B-flat (one doubling
clarinet in E-flat The E-flat (E) clarinet is a member of the clarinet family, smaller than the more common B clarinet and pitched a perfect fourth higher. It is typically considered the sopranino or piccolo member of the clarinet family and is a transposing inst ...
and one doubling
alto saxophone The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments. Saxophones were invented by Belgians, Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in the 1840s and patented in 1846. The alto saxophone is pitched in the key of E♭ ( ...
), 2
bassoon The bassoon is a musical instrument in the woodwind family, which plays in the tenor and bass ranges. It is composed of six pieces, and is usually made of wood. It is known for its distinctive tone color, wide range, versatility, and virtuosity ...
s, 4
horn Horn may refer to: Common uses * Horn (acoustic), a tapered sound guide ** Horn antenna ** Horn loudspeaker ** Vehicle horn ** Train horn *Horn (anatomy), a pointed, bony projection on the head of various animals * Horn (instrument), a family ...
s in F, 3
trumpet The trumpet is a brass instrument commonly used in classical and jazz musical ensemble, ensembles. The trumpet group ranges from the piccolo trumpet—with the highest Register (music), register in the brass family—to the bass trumpet, pitche ...
s in C, 3
cornet The cornet (, ) is a brass instrument similar to the trumpet but distinguished from it by its conical bore, more compact shape, and mellower tone quality. The most common cornet is a transposing instrument in B. There is also a soprano cor ...
s in B-flat (used in the last movement only), 3
trombone The trombone (, Italian, French: ''trombone'') is a musical instrument in the Brass instrument, brass family. As with all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player's lips vibrate inside a mouthpiece, causing the Standing wave, air c ...
s,
tuba The tuba (; ) is the largest and lowest-pitched musical instrument in the brass instrument, brass family. As with all brass instruments, the sound is produced by lip vibrationa buzzinto a mouthpiece (brass), mouthpiece. It first appeared in th ...
,
timpani Timpani (; ) or kettledrums (also informally called timps) are musical instruments in the percussion instrument, percussion family. A type of drum categorised as a hemispherical drum, they consist of a Membranophone, membrane called a drumhead, ...
,
snare drum The snare drum (or side drum) is a percussion instrument that produces a sharp staccato sound when the head is struck with a drum stick, due to the use of a series of stiff wires held under tension against the lower skin. Snare drums are often u ...
,
bass drum The bass drum is a large drum that produces a note of low definite or indefinite pitch. The instrument is typically cylindrical, with the drum's diameter usually greater than its depth, with a struck head at both ends of the cylinder. The head ...
,
cymbals A cymbal is a common percussion instrument. Often used in pairs, cymbals consist of thin, normally round plates of various alloys. The majority of cymbals are of indefinite pitch, although small disc-shaped cymbals based on ancient designs sou ...
,
triangle A triangle is a polygon with three corners and three sides, one of the basic shapes in geometry. The corners, also called ''vertices'', are zero-dimensional points while the sides connecting them, also called ''edges'', are one-dimension ...
,
tambourine The tambourine is a musical instrument in the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zills". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, thoug ...
,
tam-tam A gongFrom Indonesian and ; ; zh, c=鑼, p=luó; ; ; ; ; is a percussion instrument originating from Southeast Asia, and used widely in Southeast Asian and East Asian musical traditions. Gongs are made of metal and are circular and fl ...
,
glockenspiel The glockenspiel ( ; or , : bells and : play) or bells is a percussion instrument consisting of pitched aluminum or steel bars arranged in a Musical keyboard, keyboard layout. This makes the glockenspiel a type of metallophone, similar to the v ...
,
chimes Chimes are a percussion instrument, sets of bells in varying pitches. These include: * Chime (bell instrument), an array of large bells, typically housed in a tower and played from a keyboard * Cymbalum or cymbala, word from which chimes derives, ...
,
xylophone The xylophone (; ) is a musical instrument in the percussion family that consists of wooden bars struck by mallets. Each bar is an idiophone tuned to a pitch of a musical scale, whether pentatonic or heptatonic in the case of many African ...
,
celesta The celesta () or celeste (), also called a bell-piano, is a struck idiophone operated by a keyboard. It looks similar to an upright piano (four- or five-octave), albeit with smaller keys and a much smaller cabinet, or a large wooden music ...
,
piano A piano is a keyboard instrument that produces sound when its keys are depressed, activating an Action (music), action mechanism where hammers strike String (music), strings. Modern pianos have a row of 88 black and white keys, tuned to a c ...
, cimbalom and
strings String or strings may refer to: *String (structure), a long flexible structure made from threads twisted together, which is used to tie, bind, or hang other objects Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Strings'' (1991 film), a Canadian anim ...
. The movements of the Háry János Suite are as follows: # Prelude; the Fairy Tale Begins # Viennese Musical Clock # Song # The Battle and Defeat of Napoleon # Intermezzo # Entrance of the Emperor and His Court


Films and other adaptations

The play has thrice been adapted into films, all Hungarian: a 1941 film '' Háry János'' directed by
Frigyes Bán Frigyes Bán (19 June 1902 – 30 September 1969) was a Hungary, Hungarian screenwriter and film director. His wife was the actress Éva Vass. Selected filmography * ''The Unquiet Night'' (1940) * ''Matthew Arranges Things'' (1940) * ''One Night ...
, a 1965 film '' Háry János'' directed by Miklós Szinetár and a 1983 animated film '' Háry János'' directed by Zsolt Richly. It also was adapted as a children's book by Miklós Rónaszegi .


Recordings

* ''Háry János'' sung in Hungarian, conducted by István Kertész, with English narration by
Peter Ustinov Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov (16 April 192128 March 2004) was a British actor, director and writer. An internationally known raconteur, he was a fixture on television talk shows and lecture circuits for much of his career. Ustinov received #Awa ...
. Decca * ''Háry János'' sung in Hungarian with dialogue, conducted by
János Ferencsik János Ferencsik (18 January 190712 June 1984) was a Hungarian conductor. Ferencsik was born in Budapest; he actively played music even as a very young boy. He took violin lessons and taught himself to play the organ. He studied at the Natio ...
. Hungaroton * ''Háry János'' sung in Hungarian, with French narration by
Gérard Depardieu Gérard Xavier Marcel Depardieu (, , ; born 27 December 1948) is a French actor. An icon of French cinema, considered a world star in the same way as Alain Delon or Brigitte Bardot, he has completed over 250 films since 1967, most of which as ...
.
Friedemann Layer Friedemann Layer (30 October 1941 – 3 November 2019) was an Austrian conductor. He was assistant to Herbert von Karajan in Ulm and to Karl Böhm. In 1989, he conducted a film version of ''Der Schauspieldirektor'', with Zdzisława Donat and Chr ...
. Accord * ''Háry János Suite'' recorded by
Georg Solti Sir Georg Solti ( , ; born György Stern; 21 October 1912 – 5 September 1997) was a Hungarian-British orchestral and operatic conductor, known for his appearances with opera companies in Munich, Frankfurt, and London, and as a long-servi ...
with the
London Philharmonic Orchestra The London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) is a British orchestra based in London. One of five permanent symphony orchestras in London, the LPO was founded by the conductors Thomas Beecham, Sir Thomas Beecham and Malcolm Sargent in 1932 as a riv ...
, in 1955, Decca LXT 5059. * ''Háry János Suite'' recorded by Artur Rodzinski with the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of London, in 1956, Westminster XWN 18775. * ''Háry János Suite'' recorded by
Antal Dorati Antal may refer to: * Andal, 8th-century poet saint of South India * Antal (given name) * Antal (surname) * 6717 Antal, a minor planet See also * Andal (disambiguation) * Atal (disambiguation) Atal or Attal is a Pashto language word which mean ...
with the
Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra The Minnesota Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded originally as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1903, the Minnesota Orchestra plays most of its concerts at Minneapolis's Orchestra Hall. History Th ...
, in 1956, Mercury Living Presence MG 50132.


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Hary Janos Operas Operas by Zoltán Kodály Hungarian-language operas Operas set in Hungary 1926 operas Singspiele Cultural depictions of Napoleon Cultural depictions of Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma Operas adapted into films Folk operas Orchestral suites Arrangements of opera excerpts