Presented in concert form as the gala performance of the MMKI Jubilee Celebration, The Prince of the Golden City is Hungary’s newest historical musical-opera.

Based on the work of Tibor Fehér, composer László Nyitrai and librettist Zsolt Máthé collaborated under the auspices of the Hungarian Academy of Arts' Artistic Scholarship Program to create this new musical piece inspired by the life of King Béla III of the House of Árpád.
Though less widely known, Béla III was one of Hungary’s most successful monarchs. His reign marked a golden era in Hungarian history. In his youth, he spent many years in Constantinople — then the largest and most culturally diverse capital in Europe — as a potential heir to the Byzantine throne. The story follows his journey to the Hungarian crown, tracing a dramatic path through ancient Rome’s successor, the Golden City, with battles, politics, and love leading him home to Esztergom and the Hungarian throne.
The plot is rich with twists and turns, featuring characters driven by complex motivations and unique romantic entanglements. At its center stands Prince Béla, a noble figure with extraordinary qualities — a true hero even by today’s standards.

The musical structure is a two-act opera-musical, incorporating 12th-century European and Byzantine musical idioms to create a layered and evocative soundscape.

This musical-opera, full of soul-stirring songs, ecstatic dances, vibrant rhythm, and a unique sonic world, will be presented for the first time in concert format.

Composer: László Nyitrai
Librettist & Director: Zsolt Máthé
Choreographer: Zhanna Kozlenko
Choreographer Assistant: Tamás Száraz
Conductor: Zsombor Katyi
Costume Designer: Viktória Nagy

Cast:
Prince Béla – Nikita Braga
Manuel, Byzantine Emperor – Géza Egyházi
Lukács, Archbishop of Esztergom – Boldizsár Zajkás
Fruzsina, Queen Mother – Kriszta Gőbölös
King Stephen III of Hungary, Béla’s brother – Máté Pomázi
Bese, Béla’s governor – Richárd Zoltán Vajda
Andronikos, Manuel’s relative – András Baksa
Eusebios, Béla’s tutor – Károly Peller
Maria, Manuel’s daughter, Béla’s fiancée – Elvira Haraszti
Anastasia, Fruzsina’s relative, Béla’s love – Fanni Péntek
Anna Chatillon, Manuel’s relative, Béla’s future wife – Mónika Horváth
King Ladislaus II, Béla’s uncle and rival king – Csaba Papp
King Stephen IV, Béla’s uncle and rival king – Bence Mátyássy
Prince Géza, Béla’s younger brother – Ferenc Tarlós

Featuring:
Aranyhang Chamber Choir
Dancers of ShowPro Europe

Concert duration: 160 minutes including one intermission

Organizers: Broadway Artistic and Cultural Association, László Nyitrai, Zsolt Máthé, MMKI

Supported by: Hungarian Academy of Arts