humusic1-3, Exercise 3: Erkel and nation-building

Model answer (check the details):

Two ways:
1. National opera in Hungarian: Erkel wrote operas such as Bánk bán and Hunyadi László (check the titles and dates) on themes from Hungarian history, with Hungarian words, when German and Italian dominated the stage. This gave Hungarian a place in the opera house.
2. The anthem: his setting of Kolcsey's poem, chosen in 1844, became the national anthem, giving the nation a shared musical symbol.

Difference from Liszt: Erkel worked mainly in Hungary, building institutions and a repertoire for a Hungarian audience (he also helped found the Philharmonic Society), while Liszt was an international figure who represented Hungary abroad and wrote for European concert halls.

Both used the verbunkos style as a sign of "Hungarian" sound, so their approaches overlapped in music even where their careers differed.