The renowned Béla Bartók Choir and Orchestra of the ELTE University of Budapest, will perform in New York and in the Washington area from October 18-27, 1997.  Performances will take place at Westminster Choir College of Riley University, Princeton (October 18); Rutgers University (October 19); University of Maryland and at the World Bank (October 20); United States Senate (October 21); The First United Methodist Church and the Piedmont Arts Association, Martinsville, Virginia (October 22); the United Nations (October 24); and Barnard College, Columbia University (October 25).

The program, conducted by Gábor Baross, highlights choral and orchestral pieces by 20th century Hungarian composers, Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály, and includes the premiere of Tamás Daróci Bárdos’ “Carnival Celebrations.”

One of the finest representatives of Hungary’s famed choral tradition, the Béla Bartók Choir of Budapest’s Eötvös Lóránd University is approaching its 50th anniversary. The award-winning choir has taken more than 30 tours throughout Europe and the United States, and will release its fourth CD in early 1998.  Its repertoire for the current tour includes works by Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály, Miklós Kocsár, György Orbán, Sándor Szokolay, as well as Igor Stravinsky and Anton Bruckner.

The University’s 22-member string orchestra, in addition to accompanying the choir, will perform orchestral works by among others, Albinoni and Pergolesi, and works by Hungarian composers Béla Bartók, Miklós Kocsár, György Csermák, Rudolf Maros, Kamilló Lendvay, József Sári and Leo Weiner.

The Béla Bartók Choir and the University Orchestra were founded in 1948 and 1957 respectively by Gábor Baross, who remains Music Director and Conductor of both institutions.  Baross, who specializes in 20th century music, has conducted the premiere performances of numerous works.  He is President of the Association of Hungarian Choirs and Orchestras.

The Béla Bartók Choir and Orchestra appears under the auspices of the Hungarian American Coalition, Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, the Hungarian Human Rights Foundation, the American Hungarian Foundation, Barnard College of Columbia University, University of Maryland and Rutgers University, the First Methodist Church and the Piedmont Arts Association.  For further information and ticket availability, please contact the Hungarian American Coalition at: (202) 296-9505 or by fax at (202) 775-5175.