Martin Rajna, a 27-year-old conductor, has been selected as the principal conductor of the Hungarian State Opera for the upcoming 2023-2024 season. He is the youngest conductor in Budapest since Gustav Mahler, who was also 27 years old when he was first named conductor of the Royal Hungarian Opera.
During this season, Rajna will be in charge of conducting Verdi's "Attila" and Rossini's "L'italiana in Algeri." He will also oversee the production of new versions of "Don Giovanni" and "Il Barbiere di Siviglia." Previously, Rajna has conducted performances of "Die Entführung aus dem Serail," "Die Fledermaus," and "King Pomádé's New Clothes" with the company.
Rajna's opera conducting debut took place in 2020 at the Gyor National Theater, where he led a performance of Mozart's "Die Entführung aus dem Serail." A year later, he was appointed as the chief conductor of the Gyor Philharmonic Orchestra, where he conducted various showcases, including "Bluebeard's Castle."
Additionally, the company announced that Péter Halász, the former general director of the Hungarian State Opera from 2013-16, will return as the principal guest conductor for the 2023-24 season.
Furthermore, the Hungarian State Opera revealed that tenor Szabolcs Brickner, bass István Kovács, and baritone Csaba Szegedi will be granted the title of Chamber Singer.
These announcements were made by Szilveszter Ókovács, the general director of the Hungarian State Opera.
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