The opera was recently placed under the direction of a commissioner appointed by the ministry after performers and staff protested efforts to reorganise the opera by an earlier appointed director.
Minister of Education and Culture István Hiller plans to ask a committee of professionals to evaluate the applications in order to ensure the opera?s future management can guarantee the viable operation of the opera, while maintaining its level of quality.
The ministry believes it is necessary to continue consolidation at the opera and to continue talks with the opera?s performers and staff. Before the future of the opera may be discussed, however, a detailed assessment of it must be completed, Schneider said.
Lajos Vass, who was commissioned by the ministry to direct the opera until the end of the year, said he would like to see the Hungarian State Opera become ?varied, colourful and exciting.? He imagined an opera restricted not to just one building, but performing at several venues, such as Fertőd, in northwest Hungary, and Gödöllő, on the outskirts of Budapest. The opera departments in theatres outside of Budapest also need to be developed, he added.
The plan to replace Vass as commissioner has not been welcomed by everyone. Ballet director Gábor Keveházi said he did not believe applications to fill the director?s post should be invited. The opera needs a period of ?peacefulness? for at least five years, therefore the commissioner?s appointment must be extended, he said. An outsider will be unable to lead the opera, Keveházi said
Keveházi expressed concern because low salaries have forced some of the opera?s talent to leave. Still, high ticket prices have made the Opera inaccessible to Hungarians, and now mainly foreigners make up audiences. The opera?s debts, which exceed HUF 1.5 billion, must be consolidated by the state, he said.
Schneider said the state is currently paying for the day-to-day operation of the opera, but its debts must be handled as a separate matter. It is unlikely the opera?s debts will be paid off in 2007, she added.
