P R O G R A M M E J A N U A R Y / M AY 2 0 1 5 Artistic Director Myron Michailidis Board of Directors Chairman Athanassios K. Theodoropoulos Vice Chairman Giorgios Grammatikakis Member Thodoros Mavrommatis Member Nikos Kypourgos Member Christos Zerbinos GNO is funded by the Ministry of Culture and Sports 3 4 5 Dear friends of the Greek National Opera, The beginning of the New Year is sealed by the first fully staged indoor presentation in Greece of Wagner’s opus absolutum, the opera Tristan und Isolde (Megaron-the Athens Concert Hall, January 2015). In this major production, which will bear the signature of the internationally acclaimed Greek director Yannis Kokkos, I shall have the honour to conduct the Greek National Opera Orchestra and Chorus. The season at Olympia Theatre continues in February with Theophrastos Sakellaridis’s operetta I Want to See the Pope!, a GNO premiere, directed by Vassilis Papavassiliou. Our brand new Cunning Little Vixen, the first opera written by great Czech composer Leoš Janáček to enter the GNO repertory, is on March (Production originated at Welsh National Opera and Scottish Opera). The season at Olympia Theatre will come to its end with the revival of Verdi’s masterpiece La Traviata, one of the most popular love stories in the opera repertoire ever, in a classical staging by Nikos S. Petropoulos. At the beginning of March, the GNO Ballet will take up a big challenge: it will dance Gioconda’s Smile, Manos Hadjidakis’s outstanding composition, which will be choreographed by the distinguished Greek choreographer Angeliki Stellatou. In April, the public will enjoy Johann Strauss’s II delightful Cinderella in Alexandra Trianti Hall at Megaron-the Athens Concert Hall, choreographed by Renato Zanella, who created this dance piece in 1999 for the famous Wiener Staatsoper Ballet. The GNO Children’s Stage continues apace its performances of Nikos Kypourgos’s opera Beware! The Prince Is Messy!, a work for young people but… not only, based on Thomas Moschopoulos’s libretto, who also directed the production. Moreover, the Olympia Theatre Foyer will be hosting every first and last Sunday of each month tributes to major Greek composers and opera recitals performed by prominent Greek artists. In the meantime, the GNO educational activities will bravely go ahead for the rest of the season with our School of Dance, Opera Studio, Children’s Choir, as well as with our project “Interactive Opera for Primary Schools” and the opera Il Barbiere di Siviglia, which will travel to 25 more schools across the country until June 2015, kindly funded by the National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF). By the end of January, Bizet’s emblematic Carmen, presented in a flexible “Suitcase Opera” format and directed by Angela Saroglou, will start its tour in 22 Greek cities. Carmen’s performances are generously supported by Stavros Niarchos Foundation, within the framework of a series of events entitled Journey to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). Small “Pocket concerts” for one or two voices with piano accompaniment will also be held every week in the Visitors Centre at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, the future home of the Greek National Opera. The SNFCC Visitors Centre will also host in 2015 a series of lectures and presentations to be developed along two main thematic lines, opera and ballet, which will culminate in the presentation of the one-act comic opera Pimpinone by baroque composer G. P. Telemann. I am absolutely sure that you will love our staged version signed by director Ion Kessoulis. Furthermore, for the rest of the season, we have programmed parallel events at the Olympia Theatre, from which I especially wish to mention our tribute to legendary Greek―Canadian soprano Teresa Stratas in cooperation with the Embassy of Canada in Greece (end of May). Dear friends, in the next few months we invite you in our opera, operetta and ballet productions, which you will have the opportunity to read about in detail in the following pages of this booklet. Furthermore, I am sure that you will be thrilled by our two major opera productions, this summer at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus which will be announced shortly. We thank you wholeheartedly for supporting our work. Myron Michailidis Artistic Director of the Greek National Opera OPERA BALLET RICHARD WAGNER TRISTAN UND ISOLDE Conductor Myron Michailidis Director — sets — costumes Yannis Kokkos ΜEGARON — THE ATHENS CONCERT HALL Alexandra Trianti Hall New production 21, 28, 31 January 2015 4 February 2015 Performances begin at 18.30 Wagner's Tristan und Isolde, one of the greatest works of music literature, will be presented for the first time in Greece, in a fully staged production in an indoor theatre by Greek musical forces. It is also the first time the work will be produced by the Greek National Opera Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by GNO Artistic Director, Myron Michailidis. This pivotal romantic masterpiece is a major œuvre, full of bursting emotions. Its musical language changed the course of music. OPERETTA BALLET OPERA FOR CHILDREN ANGELIKI STELLATOU / MANOS HADJIDAKIS RENATO ZANELLA / JOHANN STRAUSS II NIKOS KYPOYRGOS Conductor Konstantia Gourzi — TBA Choreography Angeliki Stellatou OLYMPIA THEATRE New production Conductor Elias Voudouris Choreography Renato Zanella ΜEGARON — THE ATHENS CONCERT HALL Alexandra Trianti Hall New production Conductors Yorgos Aravidis — Chryssanthos Alissafis Direction — libretto Thomas Moschopoulos OLYMPIA THEATRE Evening performance (begin at 20.00) 6 CINDERELLA BEWARE! THE PRINCE IS MESSY Performances begin at 20.00 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30 April 2015 30 January 2015 This production is one of the major highlights of this season's programme. It represents a great challenge for the National Greek Opera, as the GNO Ballet will present a choreography based on a work by Greek eminent composer Manos Hadjidakis. One of the pieces to be performed is the gripping Gioconda's Smile, one of the most emblematic works in the Greek music of the 20th century, choreographed by Angeliki Stellatou, under the artistic supervision of George Hadjidakis. Few are acquainted with the fact that Johann Strauss II, the well-known «Waltz King », also composed ballet music towards the end of his life. Yet, he died before Cinderella’s premiere in 1901. In 1999, Renato Zanella, the GNO Ballet Director, choreographed this work for the famous Vienna State Opera Ballet, whereas in 2013 his version was staged at Teatro Colón, Argentina. GIOCONDA’S SMILE 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 March 2015 OPERA LEOŠ JANÁČEK THE CUNNING I WANT TO SEE THE POPE! LITTLE VIXEN THEOFRASTOS SAKELLARIDIS Conductor Andreas Tselikas ― Yorgos Aravidis Director Vassilis Papavassiliou OLYMPIA THEATRE New production 14, 15, 18, 20, 21, 22 February 2015 17, 19 April 2015 Conductor Jaroslav Kyzlink ― Ondrej Olos Director David Pountney ΟLYMPIA THEATRE First staging by the Greek National Opera Production originated at Welsh National Opera and Scottish Opera Performances begin at 20.00 28, 29 March & 1, 3, 4, 5 April 2015 Following last year's great success of its abridged presentation at the GNO Foyer, the once-upon-a-time most celebrated operetta by Theophrastos Sakellaridis returns this year in a new, fully staged production at Olympia Theatre’s principal stage. The operetta I Want to See the Pope! is based on ethics and attitudes of Sakellaridis’ own time, that undermine the foundations of bourgeois life and judge harshly the institution of family. The Cunning Little Vixen is the first opera by the great Czech composer Leoš Janáček to be added in the GNO’s repertoire. It is a hymn to the cycle of life, rendered with tenderness, humour and realism; an allegorical work of dreamy music that Janáček composed in the twilight of his creative course. It is a production the Welsh National Opera and Scottish Opera especially arranged for the GNO. Performances begin at 20.00 Performances begin at 20.00 OPERA GIUSEPPE VERDI LA TRAVIATA Conductor Matteo Beltrami ― TBA Director — sets — costumes — lighting Nikos S. Petropoulos OLYMPIA THEATRE 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23 May 2015 Performances begin at 20.00 The GNO winter season at the Olympia Theatre comes to a close with the mostly celebrated La Traviata by Verdi, recounting the tragic tale of The Lady of the Camelias that will be presented on stage in Nikos S. Petropoulos’ classic production. Beloved arias and duets give life to one of the best known love stories, thwarted by social conventions. The opera is a narrative of the love of courtesan Violetta Valéry for the spawn of a well-to-do family. The affair brings about the reaction of the young man's family; the couple parts, only to meet again just before Violetta perishes. 7 Matinées (begin at 11.00 a.m.) 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 28, 29 January 2015 1, 3, 4, 8, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 February 2015 1, 5, 6, 8, 10 March 2015 This Greek work, one of the greatest artistic and box-office successes of the previous season, returns to the stage of Olympia Theatre, since the waiting lists were extremely long. Νikos Kypourgos’s comic opera, directed by Thomas Moschopoulos, who also penned the libretto, is based on the fairytale The Swineherd by HansChristian Andersen. The story is about a young prince who disguises himself as a swineherd in order to win the affections of a stuck-up princess. RECITAL Tribute to Teresa Stratas OLYMPIA THEATRE With the kind support of the Canadian Embassy in Athens, the Canadian Opera Company and the Metropolitan Opera Guild 28 May 2014 Performance begin at 20.00 The GNO hosts an important tribute to honour the legendary Teresa Stratas -born Strataki- the Greek-Canadian soprano who has enjoyed an immense world career, with a high record of performances at the New York Metropolitan Opera. With: Alexia Voulgaridou (soprano), Myrtò Papatanasiu (soprano), Andrew Haji (tenor). 8 SIDE EVENTS EVENTS AT THE VISITORS Lectures CENTRE SNFCC Presentations Evenings at the foyer The Greek National Opera hosts for yet one more season the successful event cycle Evenings at the Foyer, offering thus its audience the opportunity to attend firstrate concerts just before the beginning of the Sunday performances. Thanks to the contribution of prominent Greek artists, the porgramme expands to a great range of music idioms and genres. It includes opera, operettas and chamber music with the participation of small instrumental ensembles. Τhe concerts take place on the first and last Sunday of each month, as always at 18:00, at the Olympia Theatre Foyer. General admission €5. 30 January 2015 (Friday) Tribute to Richard Wagner With: Julia Souglakou (soprano), Nikos Laaris (piano), Angelos Liakakis (cello). 1 February 2015 Giuseppe Verdi, Stiffelio (1850) 8 February 2015 Songs from Slovenia and Slovakia With: Zinovia-Maria Zafiriadou (soprano), Barunka Preisinger (mezzo―soprano), Dimitris Vezyroglou (piano). 22 February 2015 Ioannis Komninos, Kiki-Koko (1928) 1 March 2015 Theophrastos Sakellaridis, The Possessed (1919) 29 March 2015 Skriperou Philharmonic Orchestra Wind Ensemble Conductor Spyridon Rouvas 9 5 April 2015 Experiment 278 With: Maria Kokka (soprano), Maria-Christina Harper (harp), Thalia-Marie Papadopoulou (piano). 26 April 2015 Dionyssios Lavrangas, Fakanapas (1935) 3 May 2015 Gioachino Rossini, L’ inganno felice (1812) With: Antonis Koroneos (tenor), Vassiliki Karayanni (soprano), Tassos Apostolou (bass), Dimitris Kassioumis (bass), Petros Magoulas (bass). 17 May 2015 Emilios Riadis Quartet Members of the Quartet: Andreas Papanikolaou (violin), Georgios Kougioumtzoglou (violin), Alexandra Voltsi (viola), Lila Manola (cello). OPERA AND FASHION Il sogno ― 21 May 2015 This is the third season in a row that the Opera encounters Fashion. Il sogno (The Dream) is the title of this season's production, based on an idea of journalist Isma Toulatou, who also has the overall supervision of this project. The production is directed by talented director and choreographer Konstantinos Rigos. This season’s invited designer is Loukia, the great lady of the Greek fashion. With: Dimitris Giakas (music supervision), Vassiliki Karayanni (soprano), Myrsini Margariti (soprano), Maria Kokka (soprano), Artemis Bogri (soprano), Vassilis Kavayias (tenor), Tassos Apostolou (bass) and students of the GNO Dance School. The Greek National Opera presents a series of small-scale events at the Visitors Centre of the construction site of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). Pocket concerts Every week, the GNO presents a small, “pocket” concert for one or two voices, accompanied by piano. The new building of the Greek National Opera at the SNFCC serves as the set, enabling thus the GNO soloists and musicians to get acquainted with their new home, as well as with the new landscape under construction at the SNFCC. January 2015 11, 18 at 18.00 February 2015 14 January 2015 at 18.00 Opera stories Italian romanticism 11 February 2015 at 18.00 Οpera stories Musical realism 15 February 2015 at 18.00 Introduction to Dance 15 March 2015 at 18.00 Introduction to Dance For your transport to the GNO, you may use free of charge the shuttle bus connecting the Metro Station Syggrou-Fix with the Visitors Centre of the SNFCC (Departure point: Kallirroe street; Arrival point: at the top of the Esplanade). Bus service available 30' before each event. Information: 210 877 8396-8 8, 22 at 18.00 Email: [email protected] 8, 22 at 18.00 & 28 at 12.00 Suitcase Opera March 2015 Pocket Opera Georg Philipp Telemann’s baroque comic opera Pimpinone, set the framework to a series of similar works in the composer’s era and is presented in the form of “Pocket Opera”. The opera is presented in a lightstage production based on theatre-based improvisation and in direct audience address. Pimpinone tells the story of Vespetta, a spiteful tempered and manipulative maid who succeeds in dominating her rich bachelor employer, the old Pimpinone, once she marries him. January 2015 31 at 12.00 February 2015 28 at 12.00 Georges Bizet, Carmen (1875) Director Angela Saroglou Sets Yorgos Kollios Costumes Αlexia Theodoraki Piano Yiannis Tsanakaliotis, Sofia Tamvakopoulou, Domna Halari Bizet’s legendary Carmen is being selected by the Greek National Opera to travel across Greece with the GNO’s excellent singers, a piano instead of an orchestra and the purpose of meeting and charming new audiences. The performances are possible thanks to a donation from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation within the context of the “Journey to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center” initiative. Admission to all venues is free of charge. The dates and the locations of the venues will be announced shortly at www.nationalopera.gr
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