Between Hungary and Spain: Musical Encounters behind Europe

Abstract

At the end of nineteenth century, while Hungary's and Spain’s self-representations in the visual arts evolved, their musical faces were almost unchanged (considered ‘barbarians’ or ‘Orientals’), with Gypsy musicians representing them in international exhibitions like Paris' 1889. Although the Hungarian and Spanish tradition of actively incorporating Gypsy culture in the creation of national identity appears both in literature and in musical compositions, an intense and mutual cultural reception appeared along the 19th and the early 20th centuries.

Beyond zingaros and flamencos, musical encounters between the two nations remain completely unexplored, offering a strong presence of Spanish culture in Hungary: literature, theatre, fashion... reflected right away in successful Spanish music performances all over the country.

This paper aims to explore the reception of Spanish culture in Hungary to offer a wider understanding of Spanish music there through some musical case studies like a ‘Spanish operetta’ company touring Hungary, Spanish zarzuela performances in the country or the presence of Spanish musicians in Hungarian press.