The guest conductor of the Festival Orchestra will be the extremely versatile Sir Andrew Davis. He is equally at home in Baroque, Romantic, Viennese classic and contemporary music. For years he was the artistic director of the famous Glyndebourne Opera Festival, currently he is music director of the Chicago Opera House and artistic consultant to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared with practically all the leading international orchestras, from the Berlin Philharmonic through the Concertgebouw Orchestra to the Chicago Symphony.
He will accompany Jean-Efflam Bavouzet in Prokofiev’s second piano concerto.
http://www.bfz.hu/

If we accept the assessment of Stravinsky, who was sincerely enthusiastic about the art of Aladár Rácz and his instrument, that the cimbalom is a "rare beast", then we can say that one of the greatest cimbalom tamers of today is Ágnes Szakály. In her career of over thirty years marked by many successes she has not only made and played countless arrangements of classical works but fourteen cimbalom concertos have been written for her, ensuring her a place in the history of music in the late 20th century. And we have not even mentioned her excursions into jazz and other genres. At the Spring Festival she pays tribute to Joseph Haydn deceased in 1809, and with the two world premières included in her programme she wishes to show that in the 21st century the cimbalom will remain an important catalyst of new music and that, despite the distance of over 200 years, Joseph Haydn can still be regarded as one of our most influential contemporaries.

Thomas Alan Waits American singer-songwriter, composer, actor has an unmistakable voice: according to a critic it is “like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4ZMt-vMkfA&feature=related

The 100-Member Gypsy Orchestra is the only ensemble of its kind in the world. With its high standard performance of Hungarian and Gypsy music and classical music arranged for Gypsy orchestra, since its formation the ensemble has been an ambassador for music and culture, giving over 1000 concerts in venues ranging from houses of culture in the smallest settlements of Hungary to many of the world’s famous concert halls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck9r9KQX3XU

http://www.100violins.com/

Bangarra Dance Theatre is one of Australia's most unique and innovative dance companies. Blending traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture with international contemporary dance, Bangarra creates a uniquely Australian dance language.
At the heart of Bangarra's uniqueness is the company's vision and commitment to a theatrical style that remains true to the indigenous spirit.
Bangarra means 'to make fire' in Wiradjeri language of NSW. The logo of Bangarra represents a flame; the headdress of a Torres Strait Island warrior; the point of a spear used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island hunters. The company belongs in the international vanguard and regularly appears at top world events.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qWD40rGPgM

http://www.bangarra.com.au/