Kárpáti, László (1955-2020)

László was one of the “motors” of our orchestra. No concert could be realised without him as it was his responsibility that every instrument, music stand, chair or just about any instrument or ad material should be there and in the right way.

Our “Lacika” always did his job quietly, with constant cheer and a wide smile. He was the eternal rocker of our team.

Czingráber, Eszter

Eszter has been a member of our orchestra since 2010. Apart from BDO, she works as an editor and a journalist, and she is a dedicated singer, too. She is one of the founders of our orchestra’s PR magazine, Hangoló (“Tuner”) and has been its editor-in-chief ever since the beginning.

She has many favourite composers, according to genres. As a choir singer her favourite pieces are the choral works of György Orbán, as a jazz lover she is fond of Thelonius Monk and Keith Jarrett as well as the reinterpretation of Handel’s Messiah by Quincy Jones.

Ever since she was a little girl, she has wanted to be a musician. But just when she was about to enrol to Veszprém Music Conservatory to study the violin, she changed her mind and turned to foreign languages and jazz. She graduated as an economist with a specialisation in International Communication at the College of Foreign Trade, and already during her studies she immersed herself in Budapest jazz life, with her own band. She spent quite a few years working in the media, and remained an active choir member and jazz musician all through. She also sang in Gábor Hollerung – led Budapest Academic Choral Society. Raising a family took its toll on work and jazz singing, too, but this time period saw her active participation in a formation called “Kiscsoport” (literally: “small group”, the name for the group of the youngest children in Hungarian kindergartens – the tr.) that created a rather peculiar and ambitious genre that they call “kinderground”, aiming to reach young children (and their battle-tested parents) through their music.

She is mother to three lovely little troublemakers: Maja, Mirkó and Minna.

“It feels so good to work where there is music, to engage in organisational tasks related to music. I really like doing marketing here! My job is very colourful, never boring for a moment and it feels fantastic to manage such a premium category “product” as BDO. I am grateful to BDO and Gábor Hollerung in person for having me back with such ease and affection after seven years of maternity leave. It’s a special asset of this workplace that “Gábor of all of us” is a highly flexible leader. Although BDO has now moved in to our family life, basically, I can do my job as I think it’s best for me, too. I honestly hope that I will be able to organise many more anniversary campaigns and press conferences representing BDO in the future, too!”

Gyöngyösi, Levente

Levente has been a member of our orchestra since 1 January 2018 as Resident Composer. Apart from BDO he is a freelance composer and continuo player.

His favourite composer: Mozart.

His favourite piece of music: Don Giovanni, the opera by Mozart.

He lives with his wife Nikoletta and their daughter Hanga.

For him the most important part of composing music is the rehearsal.

“I like being a member of BDO because of the high standard of music and the friendly atmosphere here. I only have one wish for our 2018 anniversary: that Master and Margarita should be recorded as soon as possible!”

Mancusi, Guido

Guido has been in contact with the orchestra since 2010 and has been a regular on the conductor’s podium. Our cooperation was made official in 2018: he was contracted for the newly created position of First Guest Conductor to BDO.

Apart from BDO, he is the leader of Wiener Volksoper’s orchestra, Guest Conductor of Wiener Symphoniker and Leading Conductor of Orchester Wien. Besides all this, he also engages in music composition.

He doesn’t have a favourite composer but believes that there is only good music and bad music. His favourite pieces are Strauss: The Rosenkavalier, Alban Berg: Wozzeck, Wagner: Tristan und Isolde.

He is married and has one daughter.

“I like working here because with these insanely good musicians you can do anything. They are courageous and they dare to take risks. And this is what art needs in order to be true.

On occasion of the 2018 anniversary: here is to another 25 years and much joy in making music!”