SZIGETVÁR 450 – Heroic Memory of Miklós Zrínyi in Music

Chamber exhibition between June 25 and October 28, 2016

The memory of Miklós Zrínyi and his soldiers who were killed in action on September 8, 1566, protecting the fortress of Szigetvár surrounded by Ottoman troops has been preserved by national memory for 450 years. The Music Collection of National Széchényi Library compiled a chamber exhibition presenting some of the music-related documents of this tradition for the Night of Museums 2016. The exhibition offers exhibits for both the eyes and ears of visitors.

On the one hand, we present some especially exciting print and manuscript copies of sheet music composed in memory of the heroes of Szigetvár. These include, among others, autographs of “Zrínyi” program overture by Karl Goldmark, choral work entitled “Song of Szigetvár” by Lajos Bárdos and of the oratorio “Laudatio Szigetiana” by Ferenc Farkas, as well as the first edition of the “Siege of Szigetvár”, incidental music by János Lavotta and of the renowned choral work entitled “Hymn of Zrínyi” by Zoltán Kodály. On the other hand, visitors can listen to ten carefully selected audio details of these compositions, such as the adaptation of Lavotta’s afore-mentioned work to folk music band, “Zrínyi” overture by Ernő Dohnányi, Zrínyi March by Jakab Pazeller and “Zrínyi 1566”, a rock musical performed in Szigetvár annually in the past couple of years.

Both the documents displayed in showcases and the ones that can be listened to from CD come with detailed information texts.

The exhibition can be visited until october 20, 2016, during the opening hours of the Music Collection (Tuesday to Friday: between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.; on Saturday: between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.).
Venue: the corridors adjacent to and the Reading Room of NSZL’s Music Collection
Visitors who do not own a Reader Pass to NSZL can have a look at all the temporary exhibitions of the Library for a flat fee of HUF 400.