Proartfest Pentecost Early Music Festival 2012

2012, May 25-28.

Prónay castle, Alsópetény, Hungary

Programme change

The programme of two concerts at the festival has changed!

On the 25th of May, 2012 at 6 p.m. the internationally recognised cellist, Balázs Máté and his ensemble, the Aura Musicale, gives the opening concert. Cont. Éva Bodrogi soprano

On the 28th of May, 2012 at 11.30 a.m. the Harmonis Ensemble gives salon concert at the Prónay Castle. Artistic director: Caius Hera (RO). On their programme: early baroque Italian chamber music of the 17th century.

The tickets are valid for the new programme.

Creating a new tradition, ProArtFest, the Pentecost Early Music Festival, will be launched between the 25th and 28th of May 2012 in the salons and garden of the Prónay Castle of Alsópetény, as well as in the 15th century-built gothic Catholic church of the village and in the Legénd Castle, a family estate.

The historical significance and centuries-old serenity of the settlements in the picturesque valley of the Cserhát mountain and the timelessness of the churches and the presence of people of the Slovakian nationality, living together with Hungarian people for centuries, led to the idea of placing the festival here. The festival will be a place where artists of the V4 countries (Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Poland) can meet and perform. Although Hungarian early music artists regularly share the stage internationally with Slovak, Czech and Polish artists, the Hungarian public rarely gets the chance to enjoy such performances.

The Europa Nostra selected Prónay Castle of Alsópetény, which is only a 45 minute drive from Budapest, and which has been completely restored, is the central location of the programmes of the festival. The event’s creators feel that these performances and joint programmes should be set in a such a lovely setting, appropriate to the beauty of the music itself.

Every year, artists of a guest country get a chance to introduce themselves alongside the representatives of the V4 countries. On Pentecost 2012 these guests will be from the Netherlands. There will also be Slovak, Polish and Hungarian musicians and a Czech artist.

The festival will also include the related arts of dance, literature, and fine arts. Accompanying events will be organized to enrich the programme of the festival.

In addition, an annual symposium or conference will be organized, focusing on topics like protection of historic buildings and the role and utilization of castles. The goal of this is to build a bridge between the festival and intellectual dialogue about the tremendous value of historical culture in modern life.

We look forward to seeing you at the festival, even if you stay only for one programme, or if you spend more days with us. Creating the concert programme we carefully payed attention to those who return to Budapest after the evening concerts.

Come and discover this beautiful region of Hungary, and experience with us the past.