Ferenc Erkel

Ferenc Erkel (Hungarian: Erkel Ferenc Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈɛrkɛl ˈfɛrɛnt͡s], German: Franz Erkel; November 7, 1810 – June 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 often performed in Hungary. He also composed the music of "Himnusz", the national anthem of Hungary, which was adopted in 1844. He died in Budapest.

Statue of Ferenc Erkel in Budapest by Alajos Stróbl.

The native form of this personal name is Erkel Ferenc. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.
1850s painting of Erkel by Alajos Györgyi Giergl

Biography

Erkel was born in Gyula to a Danube Swabian family, a son of Joseph Erkel who was a musician. His mother was the Hungarian Klára Ruttkay. The libretti of his first three operas were written by Béni Egressy. Beside his operas, for which he is best known, he wrote pieces for piano and chorus, and a majestic Festival Overture. He acquainted Hector Berlioz with the tune of the Rákóczi March, which Berlioz used in The Damnation of Faust.[1]

He headed the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra (founded in 1853). He was also the director and piano teacher of the Hungarian Academy of Music until 1886. The Hungarian State Opera House in Budapest was opened in 1884, of which he was the musical director.

In 1839, he married Adél Adlers. Four of his sons participated in the composing of his later operas: Gyula (July 4, 1842, Pest – March 22, 1909, Újpest), Elek (November 2, 1843, Pest – June 10, 1893, Budapest), László (April 9, 1844, Pest – December 3, 1896, Pozsony / Bratislava) and Sándor (January 2, 1846, Pest – October 14, 1900, Békéscsaba).

  • Erkel was an internationally acknowledged chess player as well, and a founder of Pesti Sakk-kör (Budapest Chess Club).
  • A department of the Opera House was established in 1911 in Budapest which also performs operas, named Erkel Színház (Erkel Theatre) since 1953.
  • He was commemorated on gold and silver coins issued by the Hungarian National Bank for the 200th anniversary of his birth.[2]

Operas
200th Anniversary of birth of Ferenc Erkel, memorial coin, Hungarian National Bank, 2010, designer László Szlávics, Jr.

See also

References
  1. Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 5th ed., 1954, Eric Blom, ed.
  2. "Ferenc Erkel Gold and Silver Coins".
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