The superb cast for this production includes some of the leading names on the world stage. Iréne Theorin (Brünnhilde) has sung the role at the Metropolitan, New York, and has also been chosen by Daniel Barenboim to sing it in his productions at the Staatsoper Berlin and La Scala, Milan. Christian Franz, established for many years as one of the leading Wagnerian Heldentenors, unusually takes the dual roles of Siegmund and Siegfried. The Finnish bass-baritone Juha Uusitalo has emerged in recent years as one of the most authoritative exponents of the role of Wotan/Wanderer before the public today.

Adam Fischer, who conducted the Ring at the Bayreuth Festival for several seasons, has turned this cycle in the Wagner Festival at Budapest into a major international attraction. The venue is the Bartók National Concert Hall, famed for its state-of-the-art acoustics, the jewel in the crown of the prizewinning Palace of Arts, home also to a celebrated contemporary art gallery and a festival theatre, with stunning views over the Danube. Hartmut Schörghofer’s spectacular semi-staged production incorporates video projections in a split-level playing area.

In the heart of Buda a rock outcrop rises abruptly beside the Danube. This was an impregnable citadel around which the city on the right bank developed. Adorning the site is the Royal Palace, now housing a number of museums, the Gothic Matthias Church, the key Hungarian national shrine, and an enclave of picturesque little streets.

Across the river lies Pest, extending with Parisian elegance over less encumbered terrain, a rival and independent city until 1872 when it was formally united with Buda. Now Budapest is the principal metropolis of East-Central Europe, its vitality and splendour emerging again after the post-war period of Soviet domination.

The programme of visits is carefully planned so they do not trespass upon the energies – or sleep – needed for the operas (with this in mind the outward flight is on the day before the first performance). Most lunches are included with light refreshments in the opera intervals.

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