Debrecen4U July 30, 2026

Joint Concert by José Cura and Szabolcs Szamosi

The joint concert of world-renowned tenor José Cura and Szabolcs Szamosi explores a wide spectrum of musical expression, ranging from intimate and meditative moments to performances of dramatic intensity. The evening’s unique appeal lies in the meeting of the human voice and the organ, evoking both sacred depth and operatic passion. The programme offers a rich emotional journey in which refined beauty and virtuosic power combine to create an uplifting concert experience.

What kind of programme emerges when a world-famous Argentine opera singer decides to perform in a church concert accompanied by an organ? Naturally, it presents an opportunity to perform some of the most important works in the sacred vocal repertoire. But how did perhaps the most famous Ave Maria in musical history become a work whose two creators were separated by 150 years?

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Prelude in C major was originally written without a melody; instead, colourful harmonies unfold across the keyboard in a continuous and recurring motion. One hundred and fifty years later, this inspired Charles Gounod, who composed a “meditation” over Bach’s work and created the melody that floats above its harmonies. Thus, Ave Maria was born.

And speaking of Bach and famous compositions, it would be impossible to omit the most celebrated work in the organ repertoire. Although it may not, in fact, have been composed by Bach, it is such a characteristically sombre and swirling piece that even those who do not listen to organ music recognise it immediately.

César Franck later incorporated Panis Angelicus into his Mass in A major. One of the curiosities of music history is that this captivating hymn took on a life of its own: while the Mass in A major remains largely unknown, Panis Angelicus has conquered audiences around the world.

Many consider Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem to stand alongside his operas, as its dramaturgy and expressive language evoke the world of the stage. It is therefore entirely fitting that a distinguished opera singer should choose the tenor aria Ingemisco, a work that represents a meeting point between opera and sacred music.

Alongside the great European classics, José Cura has also ensured that his own cultural homeland, South America, is represented in the programme. Spirituals are unique offspring of Western and African-American traditions: their rhythm, pulse and character evoke Africa, while their harmonies remain descendants of the Viennese Classical tradition.

Ariel Ramírez’s Misa Criolla (Creole Mass) is, meanwhile, a reflection on the decisions of the Second Vatican Council, which permitted the celebration of Mass in vernacular languages and consequently gave greater prominence to local cultures within the liturgy. Misa Criolla was among the first compositions of its kind, incorporating the Spanish language and traditional Latin American music while respecting the universality of Catholic liturgy.

These are only a few of the works featured in the programme, and there is much more still to discover. Join us for what promises to be a truly memorable evening.

Date: Friday, 14 August 2026, 20:00
Venue: Debrecen Great Reformed Church

Performers:

• José Cura – tenor
• Szabolcs Szamosi – organ

Programme:

• Carter: Cantata
• Reger: Toccata in D minor
• Franck: Panis Angelicus
• Bartók–Koloss: Two Christmas Carols
• Ramírez: Misa Criolla – Agnus Dei
• Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor
• Bach–Gounod: Ave Maria
• Rachmaninoff: Prelude in C-sharp minor
• Liszt: Consolation in D-flat major
• Verdi: Ingemisco

Tickets are available from the ticket office of the Kölcsey Centre (1–3 Hunyadi Street, Debrecen; +36 52 518 400), at the Debrecen Reformed Great Church on the day of the concert, and online via the Jegymester website.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu