Alföldi, who is the director of the Hungarian National Theatre, said the story was like a Greek tragedy and showed passionate emotions. He added that the piece was one of his favourites because Picker showed a deep and unselfish love between the characters rather than passing judgment on them.
In the story, which takes place in the middle of the 19th century, Emmeline becomes pregnant at 14 after she is seduced by her supervisor at the mill. Her aunt arranges an adoption for the infant without even telling Emmeline if the child is a boy or a girl. The mother and child's paths cross again years later.
The competitors in the opera are the American soprano Kristin Sampson in the title role, the Hungarian tenor Zoltán Nyári playing Matthew and Romanian mezzosoprano Iulia Merca as the aunt.
The contest features up-and-coming talents whose voices were matched by their acting skills.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI) / Photo: MTI
