The world’s most-loved tenor, Andrea Bocelli returns to Athens for an unforgettable evening on September 11, 2019 to perform on the stage of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Talented and charismatic, the internationally acclaimed Italian tenor made opera and classical music popular even among youth.
Prestigious and unique distinctions, like the title of "Classical Artist of the Year” - which he has been awarded twice - along with a Guinness World Record for simultaneously holding the No. 1, 2 and 3 spots on classical music top 10 charts, and his some 90 million albums sold, all seal his undeniable talent.
The concert will include glorious opera arias, famous Italian canzonettas as well as pop sounds, and is expected to bring out the range and limitless possibilities of his beloved voice and his unique, artistic temperament. His performance will be accompanied by the ERT National Symphony Orchestra, and led by Italian conductor Marcello Rota.
The concert is organized by the International Foundation for Greece; founded by George and Aspasia Leventis, the organization focuses on adding value to the local Greek community through social contribution. The concert's revenues will be used to pay for heating in schools, as well as medical equipment and other important products and materials.
On until September 9, 2019 at the Byzantine & Christian Museum, is an excellent exhibition presenting 74 works of both teachers and students from the Workshop of Frescoes and the Technique of Portable Icons.
The Workshop of Frescoes was founded in 1961 by Konstantinos Georgakopoulos, student and collaborator of Fotis Kontoglou, with the aim of professionally teaching and training students the spirit and tradition of Byzantine Art. During the first years of study, the program was mainly dedicated to the technique of creating portable icons, while during the second year it focused on the technique of wall frescos. Konstantinos Georgakopoulos was succeeded by Konstantinos Xinopoulos who introduced the technique of Vitraux. In 2002, Pavlos Samios was elected Professor of the Studio and taught until 2015; amongst other techniques, Samios introduced Encaustic. In 2016, the Studio’s curriculum was reformed from a 2 to 3 year program. Since the Studio’s 1960s inception, two generations of artists have been formed by the A.S.F.A. with brilliant achievements in the field of iconography in Greece and abroad.
“Chisel and Memory - The Contribution of Marble Craftsmanship to the Restoration of the Acropolis Monuments” is an exceptional exhibition of photographs that highlights the work of the marble craftsmen who were responsible for the preservation and restoration of the Acropolis’ monuments and their modern-day existence. The exhibition includes massive photographs and documentation from the restoration works. They show marble craftsmen dominating the worksite, making the audience feel as if they too are working; maneuvering the huge blocks of marble or moving conservation materials into and out of position.
The exhibition is dedicated to the former President of the Committee for the Restoration of the Acropolis Monuments, the late Charalambos Bouras. Manolis Korres now continues Bouras’ excellent work, along with a team of other craftsmen. All of them have together achieved an incredible accomplishment with small and humble means.The photographs are grouped in six themes: Self-denial, Labor, Cooperation, Zeal, Pride, and Companionship. They eloquently express the human element and the emotions that the workers experienced in restoring the monuments. The exhibition takes place on the ground floor of the Acropolis Museum in the Temporary Exhibition Gallery. Entrance is free.
The second summer 2019 production of the Greek National Opera is Giuseppe Verdi’s top-rated opera La Traviata, or The Lady with the Camellias by Alfredo Germont, which Verdi set to music. The opera’s indelible, powerful melodies will come alive once again in four performances, conducted by Lukas Karytinos and directed by Konstantinos Rigos.
The love of a courtesan for the son of a prominent Parisian family, his family’s reaction, their break-up and the couple’s reunion just before the girl’s death are the plot’s principal elements and most essential aspects. La Traviata’s premiere in 1853, at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice, was one of the greatest failures in the history of opera. However, despite the initial lack of success, Verdi’s masterpiece became one of the most famous and anticipated operas, which continues to dazzle audiences worldwide.
For its new production of La Traviata, the Greek National Opera has ensured renowned Greek and world-class international protagonists, which forecast a massive success. Two world-renowned soprano's, Lisette Oropesa and Ekatenina Siurina will perform the title role in the first and second cast respectively. Alfredo in the first cast will be interpreted by Saimir Pirgu, an internationally acclaimed tenor, while in the second act the role will be performed by Alexey Dolgov, which Greek audiences have recently been introduced to in Lucia Di Lammermoor. In the part of Germont is the top Greek baritone Dimitri Platanias, who has gathered triumphant reviews for his performances in opera stages around the world.
