Hungarian State Folk Ensemble to perform at River Campus

Dance traditions that date back hundreds of years will be on display when the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble performs "Gypsy Romance" at the River Campus on Thursday.

The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble will be making its first appearance at the River Campus as part of the 2013-2014 Touring Series. The Budapest-based ensemble has performed before audiences in 44 countries across four continents with folk dances and music that capture the rich heritage and culture of the Hungarian people.

"You can't do any better for sheer artistry, excitement and enthusiasm," said Bob Cerchio, assistant director of the River Campus. "Hungarian State is one of the world's finest ensembles."

Cerchio said the choreographies of the Hungarian State Folk Ensemble are all based on authentic dances, some of them collected in isolated villages, with dance elements dating back hundreds of years.

"The performances will be magnificent," he said. "Hungarian State is directly from Budapest. They're a top-flight organization that's internationally known. What they present to an audience is a wonderful escape."

The music of "Gypsy Romance" will be performed by the ensemble's Folk Orchestra and Gipsy Orchestra. The members of the Folk Orchestra will play authentic, traditional instruments and perform Hungarian folk music. The Gipsy Orchestra plays dance accompaniments and performs alone, and their repertoire includes folk music that inspired Hungarian and international classical composers such as Johannes Brahms, Bela Bartok and Franz

Liszt.

Cerchio said the River Campus tries to book at least one international dance company a year.

"We've had companies from Italy, the Ukraine and the Philippines come to the River Campus," he said. "They bring something of a unique variety to the area. It's something that's not home-grown."

The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble was founded in 1951 in an attempt to collect and play authentic folk music and preserve the folk dances and traditional costumes of Hungary and Hungarian-inhabited areas. For more than 60 years, the ensemble has revitalized the culture of the Hungarian people and is regarded as one of the top touring groups in the

world.

"It's just a lot of fun to watch them," Cerchio said. "Typically there is a standing ovation at the end of the ensemble's performance."

The Hungarian State Folk Ensemble's "Gypsy Romance" is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Bedell Performance Hall. Tickets are $39 and $33 and may be bought at the River Campus box office in the Cultural Arts Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by calling 651-2265. Tickets also may be purchased by visiting rivercampusevents.com.

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