Budapest - Culture

Budapest has a grand history in music, ranging from virtuoso pianist Franz Liszt (whose playing frequently induced the ladies to swoon but who was not, in fact, Hungarian) to the operas of Ferenc Erkel, and folk songs of Bla Bartk and Zoltn Kodly.

Listings in English are provided in The Budapest Sun (www.budapestsun.com) but for more comprehensive coverage, in Hungarian, consult the weekly freebies PestiEst (www.est.hu) and Exit (www.exit.hu), or Pesti Műsor (www.pestimusor.hu). You can buy tickets for most cultural and sporting events from TEX Ticket Express, I Dli plyaudvar, VI Andrssy t 18, and other locations, or order online at www.tex.hu.

Music

Bartk Memorial House
Friday evening chamber concerts, given by Hungary's best musicians, are performed in Bartk Memorial House, the former residence of the great composer and now a museum in his honour. In the early 20th century, Bla Bartk (1881-1945) and Zoltn Kodly (1882-1967) scoured the country to capture its vanishing folk songs. Their work has enriched today's vibrant Hungarian music scene.

II Csaln utca 29
Tel: (01) 394 2100.
Website: www.bartokmuseum.hu

Palace of Arts
The Palace of Arts is Budapest's latest cultural centre. It features two concert venues: the Bartk National Concert Hall seats 1,700 while the smaller Festival Theatre has a capacity of 452.

IX Komor Marcell utca 1
Tel: (01) 555 3300.
Website: www.mupa.hu

Zeneakadmia
Zeneakadmia is Hungary's most attractive music venue and also houses the Ferenc (Franz) Liszt Music Academy - tickets are difficult to get, with most events being sold out many days in advance.

VI Liszt Ferenc tr 8
Tel: (01) 462 4600.
Website: www.zeneakademia.hu

Theatre

Katona Jzsef Szinhz
Katona Jzsef Szinhz is reputed to show the best Hungarian theatre.

V Petofi Sandor utca 6
Tel: (01) 318 6599.
Website: http://katona.szinhaz.hu

Nemzeti Szinhaz
The Nemzeti Szinhaz (National Theatre) is the city's largest centre for theatre. It stages mainly domestic and international musicals and dramas.

XI Bajor Gizi Park 1
Tel: (01) 476 6868.
Website: www.nemzetiszinhaz.hu

Dance

Buda Concert Hall
The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble perform at the Buda Concert Hall and put on professional performances of traditional dancing and music.

I Corvin tr 8
Tel: (01) 317 2754.
Website: www.hungariakoncert.hu

Traf House of Contemporary Arts
Fans of modern dance can catch performances at the Traf House of Contemporary Arts.

IX Liliom utca 41
Tel: (01) 456 2040.
Website: www.trafo.hu