After an introduction by festival director Tamás Herczeg at a press conference on Wednesday, Lukács said she had accepted the role because it was a welcome change after playing only tragic figures for some time. Also, she said it was appropriate for her to make the crossover to operetta as many operetta singers have already taken up opera.
Lukács said the production's director, Enikő Eszenyi, had allowed some operatic elements, her favourite being Countess Marica's entrance aria. She added that the biggest challenge presented by the role was the dancing, which required special rehearsals.
Herczeg noted that the set for the production was designed by the well known artist Kentaur and the costumes were made by the designer Györgyi Szakács. Lukács will appear in seven different costumers during the production, he added.
Countess Marica will be performed three times starting July 27. Supporting Lukács will be Zoltán Nyári, Géza Tordy, Csaba Pindroch, Ervin Nagy and Levente Király. The musical conductor will be István Silló.
Lukács has sung roles with the Hungarian State Opera in productions of Nabucco, Turnadot and André Chénier. She has also performed with opera companies in San Francisco, Seoul, Los Angeles and Barcelona.
