Opening Concert of the 56th Merseburg Organ Days

Saturday, 12th September 2026
Opening concert

Opening Concert of the 56th Merseburg Organ Days

CHOR
Angelica Girls' Choir (Angelika Mädchenchor Budapest)

Choir director
Zsuzsanna Graf

AT THE LOADING DOCK GATE
Zsolt Máté Mészáros

Works by Pál Esterházy, Franz Liszt, Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály and contemporary Hungarian choral music

With the Angelica Leánykar opens one of Hungary's most renowned girls' choirs the 56th Merseburg Organ Days. Under the direction of Zsuzsanna Graf and accompanied by organ virtuoso Zsolt Máté Mészáros, works by Pál Esterházy, Franz Liszt, Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály as well as contemporary Hungarian choral music. A festive overture that impressively showcases the rich tradition and expressiveness of Hungarian music.

We Angelica Leánykar The Angelika Girls' Choir of Budapest is one of Hungary's most prestigious girls' choirs. Founded in Budapest in 1989, it is closely associated with the musical tradition of the Hungarian choral movement. The choir gained international renown for its stylistic diversity, spanning from early music and classical choral literature to contemporary works. Its clear, balanced choral sound and the young singers' high level of musical discipline are particularly valued. The Angelica Leánykar regularly performs at international festivals and has won numerous prizes at renowned choral competitions. The choir's concerts combine musical precision with great expressiveness and emotional depth.

Zsolt Máté Mészáros is among Hungary's leading organists and is music director of the Budapest City Centre Main Parish Church – a historically significant Franz Liszt memorial site – as well as artistic director of Budapest International Organ Festival.
For his outstanding artistic and scientific work, he was awarded the Silver Cross of Merit of the Republic of Hungary in 2026. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Junior Prima Prize (2020) and of György Cziffra Talent Prize (2025), Winner of multiple competitions and recipient of prestigious art and research scholarships. He works regularly with the most renowned Hungarian orchestras and choirs.
His intensive international concert schedule took him to the USA, Israel, Palestine, Russia, and all over Europe. He performs at major festivals and in cathedrals, and gives masterclasses, including at the Franz Liszt University of Music in Weimar.
As a distinguished Liszt scholar, he is currently working on the new Urtext complete edition of Franz Liszt's organ and harmonium works. He has given the first performance of around 30 contemporary works.