PR

OG

RA

MM

ES

Um

mE

r 2

015

In the following months, the Greek National Opera holds great moments in store for you, featuring acclaimed theatre directors, opera singers of worldwide reputation and emblematic works of the international opera repertoire. Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata, one of the most famous stories of passionate love, conducted by Elias Voudouris and classically staged by Nikos S. Petropoulos rings the curtain down on the winter season at the Olympia Theatre.The first major opera staged at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus is Giacomo Puccini's masterpiece, Tosca in a production that was a great success of the Greek National Opera when it was first staged in the summer of 2012, having received raving reviews. Three years later, this spectacular production makes its comeback on 14 June, in the same venue. It will be conducted by Lukas Karytinos and directed by Hugo de Ana, in the framework of the Athens Festival at the Roman Odeon. Later on, I will have the honour of conducting the Greek National Opera Orchestra and Chorus for our second grand aestival production at the Odeon: the legendary Carmen by Georges Bizet, the most celebrated opera of the French repertoire, permeated by the explosive character of the heroine, as well as by the exquisite arias. The production will be directed

by the distinguished British director and Artistic Director of the Göteborg Opera, Stephen Langridge.The Suitcase Opera continues visiting different cities across Greece in the framework of the programme “Journey to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center”. Amidst our other artistic events the ambitious, GNO outdoor concert in the archaeological site of the Olympieion in the centre of Athens, entitled Overtures and Duets, stands out. Also, our educational actions continue relentlessly whereas the programme of the season is complemented by the presentation of the Studio Opera, the annual performance of the Professional Dance School, as well as the performance of GNO's new ballet choreographers. For more information, please read the following pages.

We would like to thank you wholeheartedly for supporting our efforts at the Greek National Opera!

Myron Michailidis Artistic Directorof the Greek National Opera

Dear friends of the Greek National Opera 3Artistic Director

Myron Michailidis

Board of Directors

ChairmanAthanassios K. Theodoropoulos

Vice ChairmanGiorgios Grammatikakis

Secretary Theodore Mavrommatis

MemberNikos Kypourgos

MemberChristos Zerbinos

2

GNO is funded by the Ministry of Culture, Educationand Religious Affairs

HELLENIC REPUBLICMinistry of Culture, Education and Religious Affairs

OPErA

G i U S EPPE vEr DiL A T r A v i A T AOpera in three actsLibretto by Francesco maria Piave, based on the theatre playLa Dame aux camélias by Alexandre Dumas, fils

15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23 may 2015Olympia Theatre

Conductor Elias voudourisDirector — sets — costumes Nikos S. PetropoulosChoreography Petros GalliasChorus master Agathangelos Georgakatos

Violetta Valéry myrtò Papatanasiu — Francesca DottoFlora Bervoix Angelica Cathariou — irini AthanassiouAnnina Alexandra mattheoudaki — Ekaterini KrassaAlfredo Germon Antonis Koroneos — yannis ChristopoulosGiorgio Germon Dimitri Platanias — Dionyssis SourbisGastone Alex Tsilogiannis — Nikos TsaousisBarone Douphol Kostas Dotsikas — Christos AmvrazisMarchese d'Obigny Nikolaos Karagiaouris — vassilis KostopoulosDottore Grenvil Dionyssis Tsantinis — Pavlos SampsakisGiuseppe Thanassis Evangelou — manolis LorentzosCommissioner / Servant Theodore moraitis — vassilis Asimakopoulos

With the Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet members of the GNO

The GNO's winter season at the Olympia Theatre comes to a close with the most celebrated La Traviata by Verdi; the tragic tale of "the lady of the camelias" will be performed in the classic staging by Nikos S. Petropoulos. Beloved arias and duets embellish one of the most favourite stories of great love, thwarted by social conventions. The opera recounts the love of a courtesan for the offspring of a well-to-do family. The affair brings about the reaction of the young man's family; the couple is separated, only to meet again just before Violetta, the "lady of the camelias", perishes. It is an undeniable masterwork of the operatic repertoire.

Sponsored by

Performances begin at 20.00

Ticket prices €20, €30, €40, €50, €60, €65 / Children & students €15Restricted view seats €10, €15, €20, €30

Following the GNO's pricing policy of social awareness, on Friday 22 may 2015, all tickets will be sold at a 15% discount. On Saturday 16 may 2015, on the second day of the performance, 150 seats will be sold at €5, reserved exclusivelyfor the unemployed

5

OPErA

G iACO m O PUCCi N iT O S C AOpera in three actsProduction within the framework of the Athens FestivalLibretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi illica, inspiredby the homonymous dramatic play written by Victorien Sardou

14, 16, 17, 18 June 2015Odeon of herodes Atticus

Conductor Lukas KarytinosDirector — sets — costumes hugo de AnaVideo projection design ideogramma S.r.L. — Sergio metalliChorus master Agathangelos GeorgakatosChildren's chorus mistress mata KatsouliRevival director Katerina Petsatodi

Floria Tosca Dimitra Theodossiou — Celia CosteaMario Cavaradossi roberto Aronica — rubens PelizzariBaron Scarpia Dimitri Platanias — TBACesare Angelotti Petros magoulasSacristan Dimitris KassioumisSciaronne vangelis maniatisShepherd Christina AsimakopoulouGaoler Christos AmvrazisSpoletta Charalambos Alexandropoulos

With the Orchestra, Chorus and Children's Chorusof the GNO within the framework of its educational program

Tosca: An opera diva, a woman who is madly in love and pathologically jealous of her lover. Scarpia: a sinister personality, a man of absolute power who takes pleasure from seeing his victims in pain. Mario Cavaradossi, who is a pure patriot and Tosca's lover, stands between these two and is led to death; not on account of his ideas but because he enjoys the love of Tosca, the object of Scarpia's desire. Scarpia's scheme is brilliantly set up; nobody escapes his traps. This is a thriller full of wild passions that are accentuated by Giacomo Puccini's overwhelming music. Justifiably it is one of the most famous operas. This scored a great success for the Greek National Opera when it was first presented in the summer of 2012 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. The GNO Orchestra will be conducted by Lukas Karytinos.

Sponsored by

Performances begin at 21.00/ In italian with english and greek surtitles

Ticket prices: Upper Tier €25, C Zone €45, B Zone €55, A Zone €60. VIP Zones B & D €85. VIP Zone C €100Children & students €15 / Presale starts on 2 may

7

OPErA

G EO rG E S B iZETC A r m E NOpéra comique in four actsNew production within the framework of the Athens FestivalLibretto by henri meilhac and Ludovic halévybased on the homonymous short story by Prosper Mérimée

26, 28, 30, 31 July 2015Odeon of herodes Atticus

Conductor myron michailidisDirector Stephen LangridgeCostumes — sets George SouglidesVideo projection design Silbersalz Film Gmbh — Thomas BergmannLightings Giuseppe di iorioChorus master Agathangelos GeorgakatosChildren's chorus mistress mata Katsouli

Carmen rinat Shaham — Géraldine ChauvetDon José Giancarlo monsalve — TBAMicaëla Cellia CosteaEscamillio TBA

With the Orchestra, Chorus, Soloists and Children's Chorusof the GNO within the framework of its educational programme

Carmen, one of the most emblematic operas, still challenges its audience as much as when it was first staged, 140 years ago. The eponymous heroine defends her freedom and her right to choose her lovers instead of her being chosen by them. She is a menace for patriarchic socie-ties, dominated by men. Her choices threaten the foundation of these societies. The only solu-tion is to exterminate her; a task that is undertaken by the love-stricken and "betrayed" Don José. The unconventional plot met by George Bizet's equally unconventional, and today most celebrated, music. The most popular opera of the French repertoire, featuring wonderful arias and superb choruses, will be conducted by the Artistic Director of the Greek National Opera, Myron Michailidis, and directed by the distinguished British director and Artistic Director of the Göteborg Opera, Stephen Langridge.

Sponsored by

Performances begin at 21.00 / In French with english and greek surtitles

Ticket prices: Upper Tier €25, C Zone €45, B Zone €55, A Zone €60. VIP Zones B & D €85. VIP Zone C €100Children & students €15 / VIP Zone C €100 / Children & students €15 / Presale starts on 22 June

9

rECiTAL

T r i B U T E T O T E r E S A S T r ATA SWith the kind support of the Canadian Embassy in Athens,the Canadian Opera Company and the Metropolitan Opera Guild

28 may 2015Olympia Theatre

Conductor Elias voudourisSoloists Alexia voulgaridou (soprano), myrtò Papatanasiu (soprano), Andrew haji (tenor)

The Greek National Opera pays tribute to the legendary Teresa Stratas, the Greek-Canadian soprano, who has enjoyed an immense international career. Stratas starred in 385 perform-ances at the New York Metropolitan Opera, whereas in her 36-year-long career she undertook 41 different roles and at the same time she performed in the most important opera houses of the world. She was the daughter of Greek immigrants from Crete and started her stunning career in 1958, in Toronto-Canada. She is considered one of the world's best opera singers of the 20th century, but also a legend of opera because her fairytale-like life and her philanthropic activity urged many people to compare her with the opera heroines she embodied in such a gripping manner. Two major and internationally acclaimed Greek sopranos, Alexia Voulgaridou and Myrtò Papa-tanasiu, feature at the GNO's tribute, singing arias that bear the stamp of Stratas. In the frame-work of the first joint performance between the GNO and the Canadian Opera Company, the Canadian tenor Andrew Haji also appears with them.The event will take place with the kind support of the Canadian Embassy in Athens, the Cana-dian Opera Company and the Metropolitan Opera Guild. With the participation of the GNO Orchestra.

Performances begin at 20.00

Ticket prices €10, €12, €20, €30, €40, €60 / Children & students €10 / Restricted view seats €8

SiDE EvENTS iN ThE OLymPiA ThEATrE FOyErDocumentary on Teresa Stratas Sunday, 24 May / 20.30 — Free admissionround table discussion on Teresa Stratas Tuesday, 26 May / 12.00 — Free admissionParticipating speakers: ▪ robert w. Peck — Ambassador of Canada to Greece ▪ myron michailidis — Artistic Director of the Greek National Opera ▪ Paul Gruber — Executive Director for Program Development of The Metropolitan Opera Guild ▪ Nikolaos maliaras — Professor of Historical Musicology at the Faculty of Music Studies of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens ▪ Thanos veremis — Professor Emeritus of International and European Studies at the Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Exclusive Sponsor Supporter

11

OPEN rEhEArSAL OF ThE GNO OPErA STUDiO

JACq U E S O FFEN BAChO r P h é E A U x E N F E r SO r p h e u s i n t h e u n d e r w O r l dOperetta “in progress”Libretto hector Crémieux, Ludovic halévy

15 & 16 July 2015 Olympia Theatre

Conductor Nikos vassiliouDirector — sets Stephan GröglerLibretto adaptation Pierre—henri LoÿsCostumes véronique Seymat / Lighting TBA

Opinion Publique ioanna Kokovika — Stella KavvadiaOrphée TBAEurydice Erophile Papadogia — Elisabeth-Nefeli PapageorgiouPluton Nikolaos KatsigiannisCupidon Christina Asimakopoulou — ioanna KaramolegouJupiter Nikos masourakisJunon TBAMultitalent TBAVocal ensemble Christina Asimakopoulou, Stella Kavvadia, ioanna Karamolegou,ioanna Kokovika, Elisabeth-Nefeli Papageorgiou, Erophile Papadogia, marialena varela, Demosthenes vlachosPiano TBA / Violin TBA

Orpheus in the Underworld is a landmark in the history of operetta, for one of the biggest ac-complishments of Jacques Offenbach, a composer who since the mid-19th century contributed more than anyone else to the triumphant success of the genre of operetta. The original version of Orphée was composed in 1858 and marks Offenbach's first treatment of Greek mythology. The Olympian gods are represented as promiscuous merrymakers of Paris of the 19th century and therefore Orpheus in the Underworld is a comment, which in fact remains classic, of the social mores and immorality of the upper class and aristocracy. The operetta is staged by the Opera Studio of the Greek National Opera and is directed by Stephan Grögler. Indeed, this is the first, abridged version of the work's presentation that is in progress. Its full version will be staged during the coming season by the GNO's ensembles. Nikos Vassiliou, the Director of Studies, is the répétiteur and conductor of the project.

Sponsored by

Performances begin at 20.00 / In French with greek surtitles

Free entrance for priority coupon holders. Coupons will be distributed one hour prior the starting timeof the performance at the entrance of the Olympia Theatre

13

OPErA AND FAShiON

i L S O G N O21 may 2015National Conservatory of Athens

Idea — concept isma ToulatosDirection Konstantinos rigosSpecial Guest LoukiaMusic supervisor — piano Dimitris GiakasMake-up artist — transformations' supervisor Achilleas CharitosBiolin Panagiotis Tziotis

Performed by vassiliki Karagianni (soprano), myrsini margariti (soprano), maria Kokka (soprano), Artemis Bogri (soprano), Nikos Stefanou (tenor), Tassos Apostolou (bass)

With members of the GNO Ballet and members of the Dance School

This is the third season in a row that the Opera encounters Fashion. Il sogno (i.e. The Dream) is the title of this season's production, based on a concept of the journalist Isma Toulatos, who also has the overall supervision of this project. The production is directed by the multitalented Konstantinos Rigos. This year's guest is the great lady of Greek fashion, Loukia. Dimitris Giakas is once more the music supervisor. The performers' transformation is supervised by the famous make-up artist Achilleas Charitos. The project Opera and Fashion aspires to combine Opera with Haute couture in a balanced and creative manner in order to underline the contemporary nature and great potential of these two worlds to converge. The performance attempts to demonstrate further the complete, contem-porary and classic character of opera and the numerous, perhaps still unknown, possibilities of approaching other domains with the aim to open up to new fields and attract a new audience without, compromising its level of aesthetics.

Sponsored by Υποστηρικτής Χορηγοί επικοινωνίας

Performance begin at 21.00

Free entrance upon priority coupons that will be distributed at the entrance one hour before the starting timeof the performance

ArTiSTiC EvENTS

OvErTUrES AND DUETS28 June 2015Olympieion

With the participation of the GNO Orchestra and Soloists

This is a recent custom of Athens, aspiring to establish the Green National Opera's outdoor summer concerts in the enthralling space of Olympieion, amidst the Columns of the Olympian Zeus, in the centre of Athens. Following the great success of the first concert entitled Opera alla Greca that took place last year, this year the GNO revisits the place with the performance Overtures and Duets, featuring major operas from the world repertoire. The GNO Orchestra and important Greek soloists will take us on a journey of classic compositions created by Verdi, Puccini, Rossini, Mozart and others.

Performance begins at 21.30

The entrance is free upon priority coupons. Coupons will be distributed at the entrance two hours priorthe starting time of the concert.

1514

BALLET

O P E N r E h E A r S A LO F T h E G N O B A L L E TN E w C h O r E O G r A P h E r S20 & 21 June 2015Olympia Theatre

Every year towards the end of the season, dancers are given the opportunity to develop and present their choreography on a topic and music of their own choice. Twelve dancers of the Greek National Opera Ballet, Agapios Agapiadis, Eleana Andreoudi, yannis Benetos, vangelis Bikos, hector Bolano, Elton Dimrochi, Danilo Zeka, margarita Kostoglou, maria Κousouni, Thanassis Solomos, Eleftheria Stamou, George varvariotis present their own choreographies for two evenings at the Olympia Theatre. The choreographies are performed by their colleagues, dancers of the Greek National Opera Ballet.

Sponsored by

Performances begin at 20.00

Free entrance

GNO DANCE SChOOL

P r E S E N TAT i O N O F T h E P r O F E S S i O N A L D A N C E S C h O O L O F T h E G r E E K N AT i O N A L O P E r A27 & 28 June 2015Olympia Theatre

This is the annual presentation of the Professional Dance School of the GNO, in which the School's students present their own creations as well as pieces of the classical and contemporary repertoire taught at the School under the direction of its Director, Yannis Dontsakis. The audience will have the opportunity of getting to know tomorrow's dancers and coming into direct contact with the creative aspect of the younger generation.

Sponsored by

Performances begin at 20.00

Free entrance

1716

17 may & 7 June, at 12.00Getting Acquainted with Opera(Children's workshop)An educational programme, containing elements of theatre game, musical-motor education techniques and visual art expression, aiming at bringing children into a creative contact with the art of opera and the new venue of the Greek National Opera at the premises of the SNFCC.Planning — Implementation:Educational Trainers Team of the GNOChristina Aggelidi, Tatiana Theologou, venetia Nassi, Konstantina Strani

mUSiC EvENTS31 may, at 20.30Greek operetta: The Possessedby Theophrastos SakellaridisThe Possessed narrates the adventures of a fortune-hunter seducer and how his enterprising, forlorn, “possessed” girlfriend Loula, in her effort to avert the marriage of convenience he concocts. Research — presentation coordination Alexandros Efklidis, Répétiteur, piano Nikos vassiliou

5 July, at 20.30Greek operetta:First Love, Nikos hadjiapostolou First Love is one of the few operettas that is not dominated by the element of farce (an element related mainly with the complications emerging from marital unfaithfulness). The plot is rather different, focusing on the reminiscences of a romantic love. Direction — adaptation Konstantina PsomaRépétiteur, piano michalis Papapetrou

POCKET OPErAGeorg Philipp Telemann's Pimpinoneis staged in the form of a pocket opera, in selected places of neighbouring municipalities to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, continuing, thus, with the successful performances at the Visitors' Center of the SNFCC. The play, resonant of the comical gimmicks of Commedia dell' Arte, is directed by ion Kessoulis, in a version based on improvisational theatre and the direct address to the audience. Chrysanthos Alissafis and Domna Chalari conduct and accompany with a piano. The sets bear the signature of George Kollios. Avgi Delega is responsible for the costumes and Dimitra vlachou for the choreography.The entrance is free to the public.

21 April 2015, at 12.00Sivitanidios SchoolPimpinone Zafiris KoutelierisVespetta vassia Zacharopoulou

3 may 2015, at 19.00Multi-venue of the City Hall of P. FalironPimpinone Zafiris KoutelierisVespetta vassia Zacharopoulou

6 may 2015, at 12.005th Lykeion of KalitheaPimpinone vangelis maniatisVespetta myrsini margariti

5 June 2015, at 20.00"Estia” Cultural Centre, Νea SmyrniPimpinone vangelis maniatisVespetta myrsini margariti

In view of moving to its new premises in 2016, the Greek National Opera presents a series of small-scale events at the Visitors' Center of the construction site of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC).The new building of the GNO – one of the most modern ones worldwide, designed by the internationally acclaimed architect Renzo Piano – will combine high aesthetics, top acoustics, modern technological capacities and effortless change of sets with an equally highly aesthetic art repertoire, which will enhance the overall experience of opera. The Visitors' Center, a temporary and recyclable, transparent construction of a simple design that will function until the construction of the SNFCC is completed. In the Center, the audience is given the opportunity to see the construction site of the SNFCC and be updated with regard to the progress of its construction.The entrance is free to the public.

POCKET CONCErT3 may, at 19.00Alexandra mattheoudaki (soprano), yannis Christopoulos (tenor), maria Neofytidou (piano)

LECTUrES — PrESENTATiONS7 may, at 19.00Operatic StoriesThe history of opera in a series of concerts/lectures presenting the major historical landmarks of opera with live examples, performed by students of the GNO Opera Studio.Texts Nikos A. DontasRépétiteur Nikos vassiliouPresentation Alexandros Efklidis

10 may, at 18.00Getting Acquainted with DanceThe history and practice of ballet, and dance in general, through a lecture/demonstration by the professors and students of the Professional Dance School of the Greek National Opera, addressed to a young as well as an older audience.Texts Steriani TsintziloniPiano Thodoris reglisPrepatory exercises by the professors of the Professional Dance School Erifili Efraimidou, markela manoliadi, yannis Dontsakis, Ageliki SimouEvent coordinator yannis Dontsakis

E v E N T S AT T h E v i S i T O r S ' C E N T E r O F T h E S N F C C

For your transport to the GNO, you may use free of charge the shuttle bus connecting the Metro Station Syggrou-Fix with the Visitors Center of the SNFCC (Departure point: Kallirroe street;Arrival point: at the top of the Esplanade). Bus service available 30' before each event.Information: +30 210 877 8396-8 / Email: visitorscenter@snfcc.org

1918

Greek National Opera Olympia Theatre59 — 61 Akadimias Street, 10679 AthensMETRO Station Panepistimio

Ticket office operating hoursTuesday — Sunday 09.00—21.00& Monday 09.00—16.00

Ticket office telephone number:210 36 62 100Fax number: 210 36 62 019 Email: info@nationalopera.gr

E-ticket saleswww.nationalopera.gr

Telephone bookings All credit cards accepted.

Ticket refundsThis is not possible.

Student ticketsThese are provided at all the performances. Students must produce their student identification card during the issuing of the ticket and during their entry into the theatre. Student tickets also apply to people up to 28 years old.

Group bookings Groups of music lovers [ten (10) persons and above], associations and schools may apply for bookings on 210 37 11 342(Mrs Vicky Panagou).

People with reduced mobility Seats are provided in the Theatre Square.

Arrival by late-comersAfter the show has commenced, entry is only possible during the interval, where this is provided.

CancellationsIn the event where the event is cancelled due to weather conditions, force majeure, strikes, or government announcements, there shall be a GNO communication about the method for refunding the ticket price.

For young people… Last minute ticketsSpecial Price: € 15 – Applies twenty (20) minutes prior to the commencement of the performances for young people up to twenty eight (28) years of age, for any ticket zone**Where tickets are available

During the performances it is not permittedTo take photographs with or without flash; To record or videotape all or a part of the performance; To smoke;To consume food and beverages; To use mobile phones; For children under six years old to enter (excluding children’s shows); orTo tip

Subscriber servicesTel: 210 37 11 381, Fax: 210 36 23 401 Email: pr@nationalopera.gr

G E N E r A L i N F O r m AT i O N — T i C K E T SSUiTCASE OPErA

J O U r N E y T O T h E S TAv r O S N i A r C h O S F O U N D AT i O N C U L T U r A L C E N T E rIn the framework of the 3rd stage of the programme “Journey to the Stavros Niarchos Foun-dation Cultural Center” taking place in collaboration with Future Library, the Greek National Opera stages new Suitcase Opera production Georges Bizet's Carmen and also offers two educational programmes to its young audience of the cities to be visited with free entrance.

Opera seminars conducted by experienced associates of the Greek National Opera towards the development of an educational network on opera art. School visiting in which the students will be given the opportunity to enjoy a first encounter with the opera world.

The classic story of the untamed Carmen fits in a suitcase and travels around Greece, in the framework of the “Journey to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center” of the Stav-ros Niarchos Foundation. George Bizet's masterpiece is staged in a performance that is over-whelmed by the violent and passionate nature of its heroes and is directed by Angela Saroglou. The spectators will be within spitting distance from one of the most favourite opera heroines, who will bewitch and trap them into a game of fatal charm.

7 may 2015 Cultural Centre, Chania9 may 2015 Saint Mark's Basilica, Heraklion13 may 2015 REX Cinema Theatre, Aghios Nikolaos21 may 2015 Papastratio Megaro, Agrinio23 may 2015 Cultural Centre, Preveza28 may 2015 Administration Hall, Livadia

Director Angela-Kleopatra SaroglouSets George KoliosCostumes Alexia TheodorakiLighting Spyros TzorasPiano yiannis Tsanakaliotis (7, 9, 13/5) — Sofia Tamvakopoulou (21, 23/5) — Domna Chalari (28/5)Don José Dimitris Paksoglou (7, 9, 13/5) — Dimitris Sigalos (21, 23, 28/5)Escamillio/Moralles yannis Selitsaniotis (7, 9, 13, 21, 23, 28/5)Zuniga/Dancaïre Kostas mavrogenis (7, 9, 13/5) — Nikolaos Karagiaouris (21, 23, 28/5)Carmen ines Zikou (7, 9, 13/5) — Diamanti Kritsotaki (21, 23, 28/5)Micaëla/Frasquita Sofia mitropoulou (7, 9, 13, 21, 23/5) — Antonia Kalogirou (28/5)Mercédès Eleni Davou (7, 9, 13/5) — vicky Tsiliakou (21, 23/5) — Athina Kastrinaki (28/5)

A donation of the

Performances begin at 20.00Free entrance for priority coupon holders. Coupons will be distributed one hour prior the starting time of the performance

2120