A production of the musical has been running at Budapest?s Madách Theatre for 23 years, and it is expected to draw big crowds at the 76th Szeged Open-Air Festival. Other features on next year?s programme include Imre Kálmán?s operetta Countess Maritza and a special folk dance performance by Turkey?s Fire of Anatolya. The musical Rudolf will also be performed again, after attracting capacity crowds at this year?s festival, as will Ferenc Erkel?s opera Bánk Bán.
More than 90 percent of tickets were sold during this year?s two-month festival, generating revenue of HUF 250 million. Performances in the square in front of Szeged?s cathedral as well as performances in nearby Újszeged attracted 70,000 people.
Most visitors to the festival were Hungarian, with just 3 percent coming from abroad. The festival?s organisers wish to change this by announcing the festival?s programme earlier to allow potential visitors who live far away ample time to plan ahead.
More than 98 percent of visitors to the festival said they would return next year. Most of them were from outside of Szeged.
