Szeged Symphony Orchestra to mark upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. Declaration of Independence with New Year’s concert

The Szeged Symphony Orchestra will mark the upcoming 250th anniversary of the adoption of the United States Declaration of Independence with a New Year’s concert on Jan. 5 at the Szeged National Theater.

Instead of the traditional Strauss-family repertoire associated with the Vienna New Year’s Concerts, the program will feature works by American composers, the orchestra said. The concert is part of a broader series of cultural events organized nationwide by the U.S. Embassy in Budapest to commemorate the anniversary, in cooperation with the American Corner network.

According to the organizers, American Corner Szeged — which offers free English-language cultural and educational programs — is participating in the initiative alongside the embassy. The concert is being held in cooperation with the city of Szeged and the University of Szeged.

The first half of the evening will feature well-known works by American composers Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, and Leonard Bernstein. The second half will focus on arrangements of American popular songs, evoking the atmosphere of New York’s Broadway.

The program was selected by conductor Gergely Dubóczky, who will lead the orchestra. For the concert, the symphonic ensemble will be expanded with instruments commonly used in popular music, including saxophones, bass guitar, and an extended percussion section.

Actress Kata Csorba and opera singer Szilveszter Szélpál will perform as soloists. Dancers Anita Hajdú, Ádám Fülöp, and Panna Fülöp-Farkas will also appear on stage.

The orchestra said the concert also revives a historical tradition of New Year’s performances dating back to the 19th century, while offering a program specifically tailored to the anniversary of one of the founding documents of the United States.

Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI)

Featured image only for illustration. Source: Unsplash