Erkel, Ferenc (1810-1892)

Hungarian composer. In creating the Hungarian opera, he was responsible for its distinctive national style. His own most important operas are Hunyadi László (1844) and Bánk Bán (1861), both based on Hungarian historical events. He was important in all fields of Hungarian music and composed Hungary's national anthem in 1844.

Erkel was born in Bekesgyula and studied at Pozsony (now Bratislava). As a pianist and conductor, he organized musical life at Kolozsvar in his early days. In 1825 he became music director of the Hungarian theatre in Buda, in 1836 assistant conductor of the German theatre in Pest, and in 1838 conductor of the National Theatre. He founded the Budapest Philharmonic Society in 1853 and was director of the Academy of Music 1875-89.

Works Opera Bátori Mária (1840), Hunyadi László (1844), Bánk Bán (1861), Dózsa György, Brankovics György (1874), Névtelen Hösök, István Király/King Stephen (1874).

Other piano music; songs, and other pieces.