Hungarian State Folk Ensemble at Auditorium Theatre

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University welcomes The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble, regarded as one of the greatest folkloric dance ensembles in the world, back to Chicago for "Hungarian Rhapsody," Friday, November 22 at 7:30 p.m. Artistic Director and Choreographer Gábor Mihályi brings the entire ensemble including 30 dancers and 7 musicians to the stage as they present their rich and colorful repertoire based on authentic Hungarian dances. Hailed by the "Los Angeles Tribune" as "...an Olympian display of ancient moves based on courtship, war, virtuosity, nature worship and more," this cultural piece takes audiences on a journey through time, from the present to the past, and back again. Tickets ($25 - $68) are on sale now and available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org, by calling (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office (50 E Congress Pkwy).

"The Auditorium Theatre exposes our audiences to dance from around the world, and it is our pleasure to welcome one of the most culturally invigorating and dynamic companies to perform on our stage," said Auditorium Theatre Executive Director Brett Batterson. "The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble presents authentic and moving performances that ensure the legacy of the rich Hungarian culture, and I am honored to have them share that culture and history in Chicago."

As a musical genre, the rhapsody is best characterized by its tumultuous rhythms, strong emotion, impassioned surges of thought, and freedom of expression. Creating their own, unique rhapsody, The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble's performance incorporates all the key characteristics of this genre, taking its inspiration from folk music and dance customs. The piece includes images from the peasant traditions of the Hungarians and other national groups of the country's surrounding regions in dynamic succession, offering a compelling look into a thousand-year old culture as expressed in the acrobatics of the men's dances, the lyricism of the women's movements, and the virtuosity of couples' dances.

Made up of 16 sections, each incorporating dances from various regions throughout Hungary, "Hungarian Rhapsody" carries the message that although the world from where this music and dance originates has long disappeared, the importance of carrying on a culture that is unique and distinctive still resonates. The rich historical culture remains vital to the existence of the Hungarian people and is a principal source of identity not only for Hungarians but for all nations.

Support for Hungarian State Folk Ensemble provided by Seymour Persky.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information

The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble at the Auditorium Theatre:

Friday, November 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets ($25 - $68) are available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org, by calling
(800) 982-ARTS (2787) or in-person at Auditorium Theatre's Box Office (50 E Congress Pkwy).