Concert Venues

The event will take place in the Convention Centre, which, after a renovation lasted 15 years, is now become the biggest Convention Centre in Hungary. This multipurpose centre is immersed in a wonderful chestnuts park and it hosts meetings and conventions, but also cultural and music events, like the Gypsy Orchestra concert.

It is certainly worth to see this show: the Budapest Orchestra is the largest gypsy orchestra in the world, with around 100 members, and in the last years its performances in festivals and concert rooms all around the world have always obtained a great success. The Orchestra was born in 1985, after the funeral of Sandor Jaroka, one of the most important gypsy musicians of the time: many gypsy musicians had come to his funeral, and after the ceremony they improvised a performance to say goodbye to their friend and celebrate his greatness, and this moment can be considered as the starting point for the orchestra’s history.
Nowadays the orchestra includes 50 violins, 10 violas, 10 cellos, 11 doublebasses, 9 clarinets and 6 cimbaloms, and some of its members are particularly important: Oszkar Okros is considered as the best cimbalom player in the world, and in the orchestra we find also the descendants of some gypsy musicians dynasties, such as Lakatos, Lendvai Csocsi, Boross, and Berki. The repertoire of the orchestra is varied and fit for all tastes, but certainly csárdás music, a type of music which belongs to Hungarian tradition, cannot miss. The term csárdás, which means literally referring to the inn, stands both for a dance style (which was originally danced in inns) and for a music genre which were very popular in the nineteenth century. This kind of music is characterised by a slow introduction and a very fast, almost wild, ending, and nowadays many dance and music groups (the Gypsy Orchestra is certainly one of the most famous ones) keep using this kind of music for their performances. The csárdás can be found also in some famous compositions, such as the compositions for piano by Franz Liszt, Brahms’ Hungarian Dances, aikovskij’s Swan Lake and Strauss’ The Bat. This means that the event will not host only folkloristic music: although the event will be opened by a traditional dance show, it will then host the Orchestra’s concert, which will feature many pieces taken from the large orchestra’s repertoire, which includes also classical music.

However, this orchestra differs from the traditional ones because it is much larger and because it has the power to convey a unique sense of warmth and cheerfulness: a performance by this orchestra is also characterised by traditional colourful costumes, which contribute the warm atmosphere; furthermore, the music’s energy thrills everybody. It has to be highlighted that musicians play by heart, without scores, and this is a demonstration of the ability of all the members, who are able to perform quick changes of rhythm and style keeping a feeling for the unison of the ensemble that always surprises everybody.

Do not miss the chance to see the performance of this orchestra, which is unique in the world! Also because there will not be only music: you will be offered samples of Hungarian wine, and the ones who will buy a ticket on the ground floor will have the possibility to enjoy the concert while eating a wonderful meal with typical Hungarian dishes. A feast for all senses!

Budapest is a beautiful city, and it is the capital city of a country that is well-known also for its music and wine. If you want to get to know both these features, and in the same time you wish to take part in an out-of-the-ordinary event, the Concert of the Gypsy Orchestra is waiting for you. Book now your cheap hotel in Budapest.