Announcements:
- November 21, 2007: Oh, dear, that Discovery show on Erzsébet was run again around Halloween, and that brings out the nutcases who email me all sorts of ramblings, from stern tongue-waggings to plain ol' lunatic fringe. I love email but folks, but if you're all full of certainty and rage ... please -- don't email me. Put up a website or write a book, then let the crazies hector you. I'm delighted to publish all manner of thoughts and musings and projects on this site, and if you've got something really interesting to say, please send it along. But don't even bother to lecture me.
- October 17, 2007: Several people have emailed to ask me about the new films on Erzsébet. I haven't seen them, or any previews. Bathory, directed by Juraj Jakubisko, might be interesting, since it comes from the region. Anna Friel is playing Erzsébet instead of Famke Janssen, which to me is unfortunate. I think Janssen would be a spectacular Countess. I was contacted by the Jakubisko production team several years ago, but the score didn't work out -- probably because I wasn't living in Europe and couldn't properly pitch my skills to them. As far as the Julie Delpy film The Countess, I'm not sure. The cast looks good, but they're also likely to go all goth on it -- Delpy is a good actor, but I know little about her writing and directing skills, and she's credited with both, as well as the lead role. In any case, both films are pushed back to 2008.
- October 16, 2007: A new play about Erzsébet is opening in Orlando, Florida, called Bathory: The Blood Countess. If you're nearby, go see it -- some of the music is mine. And the cast looks great!
- September 23, 2007: It's been a while, but last week my wife and I found ourselves in Montréal, zigging and zagging through the streets looking for an old favorite restaurant, and who should be playing that night but Cradle of Filth. I'd heard from Dani Filth a few months ago, and so he set aside some VIP passes for us and yes -- we went to a CoF concert on our anniversary! (We were the oldest ones there and subject to considerable inspection by people with much more hair.) Dani is a genuine guy and CoF are excellent musicians ... they play intensely, flawlessly, together and in tune. And even if CoF isn't your preference, it's worth taking in their show. By the way, why had Dani and I been talking? To be revealed next year!
- November 16, 2006: Our good friend Carlos Carrillo has sent along pictures of a Peru production of Erzsébet plays!
- October 30, 2006: The new Travel Channel and National Geographic Channel vampire documentaries are interesting, but focus almost entirely on the mythology of Erzsébet. The whole bathing-in-blood and drinking-blood story is repeated yet again without a shred of evidence. The porphyria idea is tossed around again as well. So please folks -- do your own research. There's a bibliography. Use your library and dispel the myths. And one more request: Don't ask me (1) where she's buried -- Budapest I'm told, but I need documentation since I haven't been back in 14 years, (2) about Cradle of Filth or other tribute bands -- that's not my genre, or (3) anything else that's already answered in the FAQ. I'm not really cranky ... but I do get hundreds of emails a week.
- May 28, 2006: The site has been updated with some new FAQ and bibliography entries, and a general repair of broken things. Some folks have asked for a copy of the blood scene "Sing to Me" score, so here is a PDF of it. And finally, the plans for the premiere have been put off again, now to 2008. This is a tough project, folks. Your help is welcome. Talk it up!
- January 31, 2006: I'm pleased to announce that my PhD in Border Studies was awarded by the Paideia Institute on January 26, 2006. My project was this opera, though the scene written last year for the Discovery Channel. May 28 Update: Contact me for a copy of the thesis.
- June 29, 2005: Oh, no, not again! Apparently the Discovery Channel story ran again. Please, please, please don't email me about my psychological health or with advice about my pathology that was implied by the TV-friendly narration techniques the producers used. This isn't my story, and I'm not "a haunted man". I'm a composer with an unbelievable ancestor who makes a great story.
- February 9, 2005: Did you watch the Discovery Channel story? If you did, please do not email me about the numerous factual errors, nor the likelihood that no one descended directly from Erzsébet. This was my first chance to see this program. Although it was a powerful program, what the producers chose to emphasize was not my choice!
- June 22, 2004: We did the rehearsal of a chamber (monodrama) version of Erzsébet. I've edited it to include some pictures and video and replace the earlier version posted two weeks ago. Here it is.
- June 14, 2004: The opera's Executive Producer is Martin Cikánek. Marketing coordinator is Vit Sirek. Erzsébet is now in the works for late summer or early autumn 2006, at the castle.
- June 14, 2004: For those who complain: The mayor of the town where Erzsébet killed so many said this, looking at how her town has used the Countess to their own advantage: "She is ours now.". Well said, Anna Istoková!
- June 10, 2004: Just back from Slovakia! I have new pictures to be posted soon, and for now you can read a PDF copy of my journal with low-resolution pictures. This was an adventure with The Discovery Channel, who will broadcast a documentary called "Poisonous Women" in the late fall or early winter.
- January 2, 2004: I am putting together the final proposal for the virtual opera. It will be a DVD shown to decision makers. If you are a fan of Erzsébet and would like to participate in this presentation, please send me commentary or interviews with you in audio or video format, digital copies of photos or drawings or paintings, music, etc. All work must be original. I will include the best clips with credit in the presentation DVD. Please contact me first! Thanks!
- April 9, 2003: My photos are being used extensively without permission. I am happy to grant permission (see If you want to use my material on your website) with credit and a link. Just today I contacted 12 site authors who had used my photos. Please be responsible and credit your sources!
- November 13, 2001: I want to point out the bibliography and net resources page. There are lots of good links here, which I try to update as they change. Also, you'll see a reference to the Cachtice CD. This is excellent, with over 1,000 photos of the village and dozens of the castle, from 1900 forward. I recommend it, even if you don't understand Slovak (I don't). It's available from Visgra s.r.o., nám Slobody 2, 915 01 Nové Mesto n/V, Slovakia.
- Find Past Announcements Here. Be sure to read them before emailing me -- thanks!
For more information (after you read the FAQ): contact me.
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