''Sarolta'' is an 1862 Hungarian

opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a libre ...

Ferenc Erkel Ferenc Erkel ( hu, Erkel Ferenc , german: link=no, Franz Erkel; November 7, 1810June 15, 1893) was a Hungarian composer, conductor and pianist. He was the father of Hungarian grand opera, written mainly on historical themes, which are still o ...

. The

comic opera Comic opera, sometimes known as light opera, is a sung dramatic work of a light or comic nature, usually with a happy ending and often including spoken dialogue. Forms of comic opera first developed in late 17th-century Italy. By the 1730s, a n ...

Sarolta (1862) in three acts, was completed and first performed a year after the opera

Bánk bán ''Bánk bán'' is an opera in 3 acts by composer Ferenc Erkel. The work uses a Hungarian-language libretto by Béni Egressy which is based on a stage play of the same name by József Katona. (''Bán'' is ban in English, similar to a viceroy, a ...

Synopsis

ACT 1. A merry entertainment is being held in a village in Moson County. Ordító, the village

cantor A cantor or chanter is a person who leads people in singing or sometimes in prayer. In formal Jewish worship, a cantor is a person who sings solo verses or passages to which the choir or congregation responds. In Judaism, a cantor sings and lead ...

appears with his daughter, Sarolta. The sound of the

shepherd A shepherd or sheepherder is a person who tends, herds, feeds, or guards flocks of sheep. ''Shepherd'' derives from Old English ''sceaphierde (''sceap'' 'sheep' + ''hierde'' ' herder'). ''Shepherding is one of the world's oldest occupations ...

Márton's flute can be heard in the distance. The curious crowd pour out of the hall, leaving only Orditó and his daughter. Ordító has long been sad that his daughter has not married. He would like a grandson to carry on his occupation. Sarolta admits that she has already chosen, she is in love with Gyula, the king's

knight A knight is a person granted an honorary title of knighthood by a head of state (including the Pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church or the country, especially in a military capacity. Knighthood finds origins in the G ...

. Gyula approaches. Sarolta and her father conceal themselves and listen to his love song. Sarolta steps forward and encourages Gyula to ask her father to agree to their marriage. Ordító likes the knight too, and agrees to the marriage. Sarolta and her father leave. The king arrives and asks Gyula to change roles with him. When he remains alone he admits that he too is in love with Sarolta. Sarolta appears but the king pays court to her in vain, she remains true to her chosen one. Ordító enthusiastically approves and disparages the king who is courting in the guise of the knight. Baron Belus notices the king's passion and wants to prevent him at all costs from getting close to Sarolta. ACT 2. A declaration of war arrives, the king's illegitimate son is preparing to attack

Hungary Hungary ( hu, Magyarország ) is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Spanning of the Carpathian Basin, it is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croa ...

. The king surprises Sarolta and once again declares his love for her; Ordító appears too and scolds the king in disguise. In the meantime Gyula turns up and the exchange of places is revealed. Ordító is overcome by ambition. In the new situation he decides that it would be better if his daughter became the queen. He urges his daughter to accept the king's love, but Sarolta remains steadfast. ACT 3. The king in disguise declares that he is prepared to marry Sarolta under the false name of Gyula. Belus is vigilant and prevents the irresponsible marriage. In the meantime Ordító argues with his daughter because he would like her to choose the king as her husband. Then Belus arrives with the king's order that Sarolta should be the wife of the knight Gyula. Belus is well aware that the king wants to marry Sarolta while disguised as Gyula so he quickly summons the knights and married him to the girl. Ordító still believes that the king is his son-in-law and the truth is only revealed when the king returns victorious from the battle. The disappointed king banishes Gyula, but at the same time makes him commander of Moson fortress.

References

Sources

* Kertész Iván: ''Operakalauz'', Fiesta és Saxum Bt., Budapest, 1997 * Németh Amadé: ''Erkel'', Gondolat Kiadó, Budapest, 1979, {{authority control Hungarian-language operas Operas by Ferenc Erkel 1862 operas Operas Operas set in Hungary