Founding choreographer Imre Eck's very first choreography has always played a special, emblematic role in the history of Ballet Pécs. It is the only ballet that has been on repertoire  for decades having been renewed for each jubilee. The topic of The Ballad of Loathing is ageless and still current. "It is about faith and belief that one always has to stand by under all circumstances. Heavy thoughts, expressive and emotional scenes, violence, love, humiliation and a personal tragedy in the vicious storms of history - all in the language of dance, every movement precisely to music notes."
(Mariann Zábrádi - ECHO Pécs 2010. december)

'Lisztomania' is an ironic term first used by Heinrich Heine in one of his articles referring to the intense fan frenzy directed towards Franz Liszt during his concerts. During the 1840s particularly female fans reacted hysterically to his presence often by fainting or by fighting for a bunch of his hair. Liszt was the very first megastar consciously creating his own image. He was the first pianist to give a solo concert, he changed the position of the piano on stage and by his emotional and virtuoso performance even his enemies were mesmerized. He wasn't driven by pure exhibitionism though. His intensions were to prove the powers of art and raise its appreciation.
The choreography is funny piece about us loosing our values. Franz Liszt is the central character as the unappreciated grotesque hero, who chooses to hide his genius among the superficial people. Nevertheless, an artist finds his Muse no matter where he is. He falls in love with a girl whose eccentric mask conceals a sensitive person who is a victim of this shallow world just like Liszt himself.

- two one-act ballets -