The Revolutionary New Boganyi Piano To Be Showcased at Armel Opera Festival

The Armel Opera Festival presents RÉKA KRISTÓF, soprano, the winner of 'Virtuosi' 2017, Hungary with Aneas HUMM, baritone and Gergely BOGÁNYI, piano.

This special concert is on Wednesday, May 16 at 8:00 pm at Well Recital Hall (Carnegie Hall). Peter Klein is the executive Producer. The program will include some concert classics by some of Hungary's famous composers, and those of other world renowned composers.

In 2015, the revolutionary new Bogányi Pianowas introduced. The Prestige model B-262 gained great international reputation with its innovations. The Prestige B-262 introduced new solutions added to the traditional grand piano heritage. Crystal clear and longer lasting sounds, new agraffe system with patented carbon fibre composite soundboard and a breathtaking, floating design. Taking things further, and building on the progress and innovation during the past 10 years of research and development, now presenting to the world the new model, the majestic Grand Prestige B-292a full-sized concert grand piano.

The new flagship model introduces a whole new dimension of smooth powerful sound enrwined with astonishing appearance. The soul of the instrument, the soundboard, has been further enlarged and proportioned to enhance the Sound beyond time for more power and roundness in the desired tone. The construction technology for composite elements has been modified to fit the demands of the enlarged body. Réka Kristófwas born in Slovakia and grew up in Hungary. She began her music studies at the Conservatory of János Richter. In 2012, Réka was admitted to the University of the Arts Breme. Réka is a regular participant in major master classes in Europe.

In 2011, at the 7th International József Simándy Competition in Szeged, the young soprano won the special prize. In 2015, she has won another special prize at Timmendorfer Strand. She became one of the few students to receive a Deutsche Bühnenvereinen scholarship. During her studies in Germany, she performed many roles such as Gretel in Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel. In addition to school projects, she also performed at Bremerhaven portraying Liset in Puccini's opera, La Rondine. Réka has performed at Bremen's Die Glocke and Munich's Prinzregententheatre Gartensaal. Last year, she won the Virtuosos Classical Music Talent Show.

Swiss baritone Äneas Hummis a guest artist at concert halls and opera houses around Europe and is one of today's most promising young singers. A program dedicated to him appeared on Swiss Television that has been broadcast several times across Europe. At 18, he made his opera debut at the Stadttheater Bremerhaven followed by concerts across Europe and America. As a child, he studied viola and singing and continue studies at the University of the Arts Bremen. He also works with the Liechtenstein Sinfonie Orchester, Arp Schnitger Ensemble, Musikkollegium Winterthur, Winterthurer Symphoniker and Bremer Philharmoniker.

As a lied singer, Äneas works together with pianists, Babette Hierholzer and Judit Polgar, and gives recitals at renowned chamber music series and festivals. Gergely Bogányibegan to play the piano at the age of four, studying at the Liszt Academy of Music, Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, and finished his studies at Indiana University. He has won numerous competitions including the International Franz Liszt Piano Competition in Budapest in 1996.

He is a regular guest in Europe and worldwide, as well as an orchestra soloist. He received the Liszt Prize; and was awarded the 'Cross of Merit of the Order of the White Rose' by the President of the Republic of Finland. The General Assembly of Pest County (Hungary) unanimously awarded him in recognition of 'services to the culture of Pest County'. He has also been awarded the Kossuth Prize, the Junior Prima Award, and the Prima Primissima Award.

The Armel Opera Festivalis a unique operatic event that present opera rarities and, in particular, contemporary works since 2008. The international jury of the Competition assesses the singers' vocal qualities and acting skills. The singers selected in two rounds are offered the main roles in the festival productions, win the Award for Best Performer. The Armel Opera Festival shows are broadcast live on the French-German Arte Concert channel annually, and the recorded performances can be accessed by opera-loving audiences on the channel's website for another six months.