Liszt bicentenary events start in France

The series of concerts and other cultural events dedicated to the birth bicentenary of Hungarian composer Franz Liszt in France opened in Paris on Tuesday. 2011 is the Year of Ferenc (Franz) Liszt in Hungary.

The jubilee events, organised under the chief patronage of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, were formally opened by Frederic Mitterrand, the French minister of culture, and Géza Szõcs, Hungarian state secretary of culture, in Salon Erard, a center of intellectual life that used to be frequented by the composer, himself.

Highlights of the commemorations will feature the Paris performance of Liszt's Christus Oratorio by the Hungarian Radio Orchestra and Choir on October 22, the composer's birthday.