 |
"It is one of the most outstanding locations ever to be seen in Budapest; an invention that provides a common space for theatre and music in a unique way." (Magyar Hírlap)
The Rózsavölgyi & Co. Firm, which has a special role in the Hungarian music scene, was founded by Gyula Rózsavölgyi and his financial partner, Norbert Grinzweil, more than 150 years ago. Rózsavölgyi Márk, the father of Gyula Rózsavölgyi, was a world class representative of the most authentic Hungarian music genre called "verbunk" (verbunks are Hungarian recruitment songs). Gyula Rózsavölgyi intended to follow his father's footsteps by trying to be a music composer, but his lack of talent as a composer made him become a music copyist, which was considered to be a well-respected profession at the time. Shortly after the foundation, the music shop became the very centre of the Hungarian music scene. It wasn't only a music shop anymore, but also a book and music publisher, an organiser of concerts, a manager of music bands. It was originally a meeting place of regular guests like Ferenc Liszt, Richard Wagner and many other well-known Hungarian and foreign composers and musicians. After a while the shop was widely referred to as „Rózsavölgyi Casino". Works of more than a thousand composers - including Ferenc Erkel, Ferenc Liszt, Károly Aggházy, Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály, Ernő Dohnányi, Leó Weiner -, were introduced, and the most significant pieces of light music were published here. In 1908, the publishing of Bartók's and Kodály's works began here. The Rózsavölgyi family organised Ferenc Liszt's, Claude Debussy's and Maurice Ravel's concerts in Budapest. As a significant music publisher of the first decades of the 20th century, the music shop shared several essential sheet music and some other works of great importance such as the collection of short piano pieces called "For Children", composed by Béla Bartók.
The Rózsavölgyi & Co. Firm's new music shop re-opened as a cultural centre at 5 Szervita Square in 1912 in a building which was designed by Béla Lajta. It was well-established and furnished according to the style of the age. A new era began, and the name "Rózsavölgyi" has become legendary ever since. The motto was born: "Everything about music – Rózsavölgyi."
The Rózsavölgyi Szalon opened four years ago on 11 April 2012 – the day which is Hungary's National Poetry Day - just above the historical music shop. According to the audience's feedback, the Rózsavölgyi Szalon represents a unique colour on the cultural palette with its warm, cozy, café-like atmosphere. The professional and non-professional audience soon got acquainted with and grew fond of this place where there is a great emphasis on theatrical performances, literary, music and fine arts events and children's programmes. The Rózsavölgyi Szalon is not only trying to please the audience but also has a mission; in order to become a meeting point of professionals and experts on art, it offers opportunity for the various events of publishing companies and festivals of artistic and cultural organisations to take place.
There have already been thirty premieres of theatrical plays within two years. The majority of these plays debuted here or were productions that have never been performed on a theatre stage before. It makes us proud that from the very beginning the most talented actors and actresses, together with directors respected on national and international levels, have been participating in our performances.
So far - in the course of our brief history - some 75,000 viewers have attended 1200 performances. This is a great success for us and it also triggered professional recognition: three theatre productions were already presented at the so-called "OFF programme" of the annual National Theatre Festival in Pécs (POSzT). Our productions are regularly presented as guest performances in Hungary and abroad as well.
Staying on our path, we continue to offer our audience all kinds of brand new programmes in the next season: theatrical performances, musical-literary evenings, book presentations and exhibitions.
RÓZSAVÖLGYI SZALON Arts & Café
H-1052 Budapest, Szervita tér 5.
Tel.: +36-1-486-3339
E-mail: szalon@rozsavolgyi.hu
Ticket info: +36-30-463-8822
Cafe info: +36-20-337-0156
Artistic Director: Zsófia Zimányi
E-mail: zimanyi@pentaton.hu