In the not too distant past, some 100 years ago, there were more than 17,000 Gypsy musicians registered in Hungary. These included both simple village players and great musicians with an international reputation, who enjoyed triumphant European tours. One of the reasons for their popularity may have been the fact that they perfectly encapsulated the 'making merry by weeping' mood of the Hungarian public at the start of the 20th century. The Gypsy musicians quickly earned the respect of the wealthier members of their audience, and despite the fact that Hungary's tempestuous history led to a significant fall in their numbers by the second half of the 20th century, they remain a major presence in the Hungarian entertainment industry. Everything is a little different to before, of course, and it is exactly that constant and impressive ability to adapt that characterises the diverse world of Gypsy music. In Hungary, Gypsy musicians played a vital role in village and urban life, and over the centuries, they mastered and reinterpreted Hungarian nóta, mulatós and verbunkos music, before later classical music and most recently jazz. On this occasion, three stars of modern Hungarian Gypsy music, Gusztáv Balogh, and his two bandmates Noé Balogh and Antal Máté Kovács, will offer us a glimpse into the world of authentic Gypsy music, featuring lyrical vocals and fiery ballads.

Age: 8-14 year
Presented by: Müpa Budapest