Felvonás

Felvonás is a term used in Hungarian to denote a major division of a theatrical work, such as a drama, opera, or musical. It corresponds to the English word act and serves to organize the narrative into larger segments. Each felvonás contains a sequence of scenes (jelenetek) that advance the plot or develop characters, with shifts in time, place, or mood.

The number of felvonások varies by work and tradition. In classical Hungarian drama and opera, works are commonly divided into two, three, or four felvonások, although some pieces may have five or more or be performed in a single act. Transitions between felvonások usually involve changes of scenery and often an intermission or curtain, marking a clear division in the performance and a shift in focus or pace. In operas, felvonások may correspond to distinct musical or narrative arcs that benefit from a break in performance.

Terminology and usage: The term felvonás is standard in Hungarian theatre and opera literature. Within a felvonás, the smaller divisions are called jelenetek (scenes). The concept is analogous to acts used in many European traditions, such as the French acte or the English act. Contemporary Hungarian theatre sometimes experiments with one-act forms or unconventional structures, but the category of felvonás remains a conventional way to describe longer, multi-part works.