Erzsébet

All Present and Past Announcements

January 15, 2011: We're ready: Lisa Jablow, Erzsébet; Naomi Flanders, Director; Anne Decker, Conductor; Pavel Kraus, Designer; Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble; Alex Vitzthum, Graphics.
June 22, 2010: The Community of Báthory Scholars and Enthusiasts published their summer newsletter with details about the opera. Here it is (PDF).
June 16, 2010: News! Jan Herder is now Production Manager for the Erzsébet opera!
June 16, 2010: The Kickstarter opera fundraising did not reach its goal, so we start over. You'll see that the main page has temporarily been replaced by large pledging section. Please back the opera -- there are rewards.
April 25, 2010: Sequenza 21/, the Contemporary Classical Music Community, published an interview piece about the opera. Here it is.
April 21, 2010: Báthory enthusiasts: You're been waiting 16 years for me to finish the opera. Now it needs backers! And here are some of the rewards for becoming a Báthory opera backer: Click the image to take you to the Kickstarter website -- pledge as little as $2 or as much as $500:
April 17, 2010: We are on the way! Thousands of you have visited and emailed over the years. We're now less than a year away with your support -- you can pledge with as little as $2! If half the folks who emailed me since this site opened pledged $2, that would meet the goal!!
April 15, 2010: There haven't been many updates lately -- apologies to visitors. There are many updates to be added to the FAQ (including almost proof that the diaries per se do not exist), commentaries by visitors, etc. The purpose of this announcement is to say that the opera will finally be premiered in 2011, probably in the spring. The singer (Lisa Jablow) and group (Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble) are lined up. Come back within the next few weeks for the fundraising part! We'll need to raise about $15,000 by September which, considering I've received twice that many emails over the years, should be no problem! $20 or more will get a signed copy of the libretto and free tickets to the premiere, $100 or more gets a T-shirt, too!
May 7, 2009: Nothing is new on the production front. Composition on the opera is going ahead. But where are all my enthusiastic supporters who promised to help fund this opera with a few pennies if need be? I have a file of thousands of emails from you. The libretto has been for sale for four months and only one copy has been sold. Get one from Lulu or one from me that's autographed (see January 10 below).
January 10, 2009: The monodrama libretto is done. Many of you have asked how to support the opera project, and I've always said "wait". Now there are two ways: Get a copy of the monodrama libretto (designed as a 40-page 6x9 book) from me or from Lulu.com. If you get an autographed copy from me (via PayPal), it's $18 postpaid in the U.S. ($5 additional outside the U.S.) From Lulu it's $14.60 plus their shipping rates. This is brand new, and my copies won't arrive until the end of January -- I'll acknowledge your order right away, and send you your autographed copy as soon as I have them in hand (don't forget to tell me what to write in it!). This is the official fundraising kickoff for Erzsébet: The Opera! And there's more, as the television commercial says: You can also bundle up a package deal with an autographed copy of my book from last year, Country Stores of Vermont. (Sorry to sound so commercial to all the loyal folks who have come to this site over the years, but it's now time to raise a minimum of $100,000 for this opera!)
August 13, 2008: No, no, no! Argh, that "Ghost Hunters International" episode was dreadful. Facts wrong, pronunciation wrong, made-up stuff (the "old" tunners don't even date from that era). Just please don't ask me about it. Please.
July 21, 2008: Here is a story about me. What did Zuzana say? I don't know -- but I did have a chance to check out the trailers for the new movie. It looks like they have done a good job -- but don't expect a U.S. release anytime soon, I'm told.
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.
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.
March 17, 2005: Yer killin' me! BTK / Crime Library visitors, please be kind! Hits on this site have gone up 1200% since March 16, and I can't afford the bandwidth. So please visit gently! (And read the FAQ before emailing me!)
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!
January 30, 2005: Attention! Time change! The February 8 Discovery Channel show is now at 9pm (ET).
December 26, 2004: Hold this date! On February 8, the Discovery Channel will present the first of its "Deadly Women" series, including a profile of Erzsébet with an interview with me and a clip of my opera!
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.
June 2, 2004: We did the rehearsal of a chamber (monodrama) version of Erzsébet. If you have broadband, you can stream it here or otherwise you can download it here (14MB).
February 20, 2004: This announcement list is too long, so I've moved the past ones over to the Past Announcements Page. Be sure to read them before emailing me -- thanks!
February 19, 2004: There is a wonderful new portrait of Erzsébet by William Max Miller on the Fans of Elizabeth page. Have a look!
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!
December 22, 2003: Much to my sadness, Raymond McNally died in October 2002. I missed the report of his death last year. Dr. McNally's research into Erzsébet Báthory made possible this site, and the renewal of interest in the Blood Countess. He was a longtime professor at Boston College, and his flamboyant characterizations of Dracula in interviews and photographs delighted us all. He was 71.
August 8, 2003: Ads on this site? What? Yes, just a few pennies for the opera project. For those interested in the progress of the music, look for more here early this winter.
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!
March 12, 2003: A few days ago, MSN did a story that referenced this site. One of the questions I have been getting is, "Where do I get her diaries?" As far as I know, you don't. I know only one person who has seen them, and they are reputed to be in the National Archives in Budapest. If you can get to them, I'd be delighted with a translation, and I'll publish it right here. Anybody game? Point #2: Please read the FAQ before emailing me.
January 16, 2003: Many folks have requested the Bathory crest. I've prepared a very dark version of the original that's set up as a Windows bitmap, perfect for your screen background. Here it is (right-click to download/save).
January 1, 2003: My "virtual opera" project continues with the participation of graphics artist & creative force Bob Hobbs. This will be an astounding version of Erzsébet. More later this year.
June 8, 2002: I am working on a "virtual opera" version of Erzsébet -- a full opera where you can be Erzsébet, Dorko, Anna Darvulia, Ilona Harczy, any of the victims or major characters. More information as I can tell you about it!
June 1, 2002: Although Uden Television spent some time at my home interviewing me, I have just learned that I will not appear in the final broadcast. Apparently some of my comments were too controversial for the expected audience. However, historians Raymond McNally and Tony Thorne will be on the show.
February 17, 2002: I have revised the Erzsébet Frequently Asked Questions page. Before you email me, please read it ... I'm overwhelmed with mail! Thanks!
February 12, 2002: I will be in an upcoming program about Erzsébet on Uden Television in the UK. They are coming to the US to interview Raymond McNally and others, including me. More information soon.
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.
September 28, 2001: I've received a tape of the Travel Channel clip. I've made Real file of the interview clip. It will be repeated on Halloween in the U.S., if you want a good copy.
August 23, 2001: Urgent! The special on Erzsébet was moved to the Travel Channel, either August 25 or 26. I don't receive it! If you do, will you please tape it and contact me ... I'd love to see the show!
May 18, 2001: Here is Elizabeth Miller's new essay Bram Stoker, Elizabeth Bathory and Dracula, a revised look at the true origins of the Dracula story, refuting McNally and other authors.
May 15, 2001: Discovery Channel special on Erzsébet, with yours truly as host. Watch for it (U.S./Can.) in August!
May 12, 2001: Just back from Cséjthe, I have brought photos, video, maps, and one big surprise: The opera Erzsébet will premiere at Castle Cséjthe in 2004! There are new photos here and more new photos here and a copy of the original unromanticized portrait is here.
May 1, 2001: I will be heading for Castle Cséjthe with a crew from The Discovery Channel. They are planning a special that will feature my tour of the castle. Announcements here soon, with links to the new photos!
March 8, 2001: Download a large version of the classic image above, as colorized by me. (The normal usage limitations apply, please.)
September 5, 2000: If you want to use my material on your website.../Si on veut utiliser mon matériel sur un site web... Quick note: Do not link to the images -- download and credit them!
September 2, 2000: Here is a new essay, Bram Stoker, Elizabeth Bathory and Dracula by Elizabeth Miller, about the true origins of Stoker's Dracula and how, alas, Erzsébet played no part in it. [removed; read the new version from May 2001.
May 25, 2000: I finally watched Dragonheart. Yes, that is Erzsébet's Cséjthe castle in the opening scene! If you want good views of the castle, rent this movie from 1996.
May 20, 2000: I may have a new librettist. Details later in 2000.
December 19, 1999: Here is a new short story in Spanish, Legado de los Carpatos by Carlos Carrillo. New stories are always exciting!
December 18, 1999: I've added Shyla's biography of Erzsébet.
November 16, 1999: I've put together an Erzsébet Frequently Asked Questions page. Before you email me, please read it ... I'm overwhelmed with mail! Thanks!
September 16, 1999: The project is stalled, but Carlos D. Perez has contributed his new full-length novel in Spanish, Siete Lunas de Sangre! Don't miss it!
May 7, 1999: Erzsébet finally has her own domain -- bathory.org
March 14, 1999: Erzsébet full version is delayed.
Those on my email list will be updated as things progress.
January 1, 1999: Erzsébet solo version to be created and sung by Lisa Jablow.
The performance is projected for 2000-2001.
February 7, 1998: Erzsébet opera principal creators announced:
- Composer: Dennis Báthory-Kitsz
- Librettist: Andrei Codrescu
- Designer: Pavel Kraus