The News Letter of Adam Fischer & Haydn Orchestra Fan Club
'Barátom' means 'My Friend' in Hungarian

May 1, 1999 - No. 23

Adam Fischer's New Challenge - Will be the Opera Director of the Mannheim National Theater.

In the last issuer of Baráom, we reported the news about Adam Fischer and the Danish Radio Sinfonietta. In addition, Adam has accepted the position of General Music Director and Opera Director of the National Theater Mannheim in Germany, from October 2000. The National Theater Mannheim is a combined theater, which has an Opera house and Drama Theater. It consists of four divisions including Opera, Drama, and Ballet. It is one of the most highly regarded and the best theaters in Germany, with more than 200 years of history. Currently they have about 30 operas and ballets in their repertoire. They premiered seven new productions this year under the present Opera Director, Jun Märkl.
The term of the Opera Director is 4 years. During this period, Adam will conduct many opera productions, and will be responsible for the decision on new productions, selection of singers, etc. However, as we announced in the interview in our last issue, there will be no change in the relationship with the Haydn Orchestra, as well as the Danish Radio Sinfonietta. On the other hand, he will reduce the number of appearances at the Zurich Opera House, which has been the center of Adam Fischer's activities over the past few years.

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Haydn Symphonies Vol. 4 Released by Nimbus Record

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As you know, Adam Fischer and the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra are under contract to the British Nimbus Record Company. Currently they are in the middle of the project of recording the complete Haydn Symphonies. This April, the long awaited Haydn Symphonies Volume 4 was released. This 5 CD box set contains Haydn's Symphonies from No. 55 to No. 69. Total recording time is more than 5 hours. All symphonies recorded in 1995 and 1996 are filled with the Austro-Hungarian tradition and Adam Fischer's dynamic interpretation sounds very impressive.
Haydn wrote these symphonies for his own orchestra that was expanded for Opera performance at Esterh?a. Compare to the "Sturm und Drang" period, which has several minor key symphonies with strong emotional expressions, these symphonies have beautiful and friendly melodies. Also there is the influence of 18th century opera, for example, symphony No. 60, which Haydn arranged from his incidental music for the play "Il Distratto" performed by a dramatic company that visited Esterh?a.
In the beginning of the '90s, several musical organizations started to record the entire Symphonies. However, most of them gave up and Haydn Orchestra is the only project that still continues. This fact explains how difficult and a big challenge to complete recordings of more than 100 symphonies. They have so far recorded almost 90 symphonies. They will record remainders in two years. The complete set is expected to be released by the end of 2001.

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Programs of Internationale Haydntage'99

The programs of the Internationale Haydntage'99 have been announced. This year the festival runs 11 days from 9 to 19 September. There are 18 performances starting with Haydn's opera "Armida". The Haydn Orchestra will appear in seven performances. Adam Fischer conducts 4 performances of the opera "Armida" and the traditional final Matinee concert.
For the first time, the Haydn Orchestra will invite tow guest conductors to the festival. Richard Hickox will perform Haydn's masterpiece oratorio "The Creation" and Trevor Pinnock conducts Mozart and Haydn Symphonies. It will be very interesting to see how the Haydn Orchestra responds to English conductors.

Ticket Information is Büro der Haydn Festspiele, Schloss Esterhazy, A-7000, Eisenstadt, Austria. (Fax: +43-2682-62-805, E-mail: office@haydnfestival.at). Habsburg Heritage Cultural Tours with Robert Avery are planning their usual visit to the festival, with excursions to Haydn's birthplace, the Eszterazy palaces in Vienna and Bratislava and a baryton concert at the summer palace at Eszterh?za. Also a tour of the Haydn organs in Eisenstadt. Details of these and complete packages with transfers, accommodation and concert tickets from Habsburg Heritage, 158 Rosendale Road, London SE21 8LG, Great Britain. Fax: +44-181-766-6151, email: info@habsburg.co.uk.

The following is the program. (Bold means Haydn Orchestra.)

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Haydn Orchestra Tour Information

Although the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra was formed for the Internationale Haydntage, they are also active visiting other cities and make international appearances. This June, the orchestra will visit the German city of Keiserlauten, located in southwest Germany. Immediately after that they will go back to Eisenstadt and perform Beethoven's Symphony No. 7.
Some schedules for next years are already fixed. In March 2000, they will appear at the Budapest Spring Festival and Vienna. The program is Haydn's Oratorio "The Seasons" performed at last year's Haydntage. Also, the orchestra will make their debut in the Mozart Week in Salzburg in January 2001.

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Haydn Club

The Haydnfestspiele has organized yearly membership of the "Haydn Club". This is the association to support the Haydnfestspiele, and it's annual fee will be used for their activities including planning/arrangement of concerts in Eisenstadt, collecting historic articles such as Haydn's hand-writing letters and original manuscripts. Depending of the level of the annual subscription, there are 3 ranks of member. All members will get a special CD and be invited to special autograph sessions. Our fan club, as well as the Austro-Hungarian Haydn Orchestra does not have any special relationship with the Haydn Club, however, it may be very interesting for serious Haydn Fans. If so, please contact the Haydnfestspiele (details in the first page).

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German, Hungarian Mini Lesson

This time, useful conversations when ordering.

Do you have a set menu?

Do you have a vegitarian menu?