The statement followed a meeting between Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány and Minister of Culture András Bozóki on Tuesday, after which a government spokeswoman said the prime minister considered the opera?s modernisation an important matter, but declined to express his position on personnel matters.
Several of Hegyi?s colleagues have recently called for his resignation after he removed a number of performances from the opera?s 2005/2006 programme.
In a statement on Monday, Hegyi said that the opera?s modernisation must be carried out because it is ?in the interest of the opera-loving public and the country?. He noted that the opera has suffered from a shortage of funds for several years, preventing it from meeting its targets and achieving the expected level of excellence.
The opera?s ballet director Gábor Keveházi called for Hegyi?s resignation on May 5, stating that the director had reduced the number of premieres and ballets in an unprofessional manner. Keveházi also complained Hegyi had changed the programme for the 2006/2007 season without first consulting with him.
On May 8, the opera?s musical director Gergely Kesselyák wrote a letter to Hegyi stating that he too considered the changed programme unacceptable, because 56 performances had been cut, reducing the season to just 265 performances.
Kesselyák said on Monday he would be unable to remain in his post if Hegyi continued to head the opera. Later, however, he said he would not submit his resignation, nor would he ask Hegyi to do so. Instead, he said he wanted to call to the attention of the Ministry of Culture the fact that he is unable to cooperate with Hegyi.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI)
