The Budapest Opera Ball has  been cancelled for the second year running. While last year the reason given was the economic crisis and various natural disasters, and the fatal red sludge industrial accident, this year no attempt at an explanation has even been made by the ball organisers.

Budapest, 1990. The Russian soldiers are withdrawing, the borders are opening and a feeling of freedom is spreading, coupled with unleashed creativity. The Budapest underground culture is developing. Sixteen years later Szilvia Seres, armed with a camera, sought out those artists. The results can be seen in the project gallery of M?csarnok, called the “Mélycsarnok” until 12 February.

With its mix of inspiration from Bohemian folk music, African-American spirituals and Indian rhythms, Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” counts as one of the most popular and best-known symphonies in the musical repertoire. The Czech composer’s work was premi?red in December 1893 at Carnegie Hall, New York, to thunderous applause. Budapest dwellers and visitors will have the occasion to hear not one but three renditions between Monday and Wednesday as three different orchestras give their version on the Palace of Arts’ stage.

Twenty years after the death of iconic French singer, songwriter and actor Serge Gainsbourg, erstwhile partner and no less iconic singer Jane Birkin comes to A38 on the Budapest leg of her “Serge Gainsbourg & Jane via Japan” international tour.

The National Gallery in Buda Castle has  an exhibition in honour of Károly Ferenczy (1862-1917) until the end of May. It was almost a century ago that there was last such an extensive show of Ferenczy’s work.On entering the hall of the exhibition, visitors are met with a massive staircase and the few pictures on the ground floor run the risk of being overlooked. A biography here shows the most important events in the life of the painter along with photographs of the artist and handwritten notes.

American music composer Glenn Miller (missing in action in 1944) continues to  be popular with his namesake orchestra selling out shows across Europe. “The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra” with its unique jazz sound is considered to be one of the greatest swing bands of all time.