Credit: Danae Kinova

The Olympia City Music Theatre Maria Callas has unveiled its 2023-24 season, which includes three operas in both staged productions and concert versions. The season features a blend of Greek artists and international stars, including a concert by soprano Julie Fuchs.

For the purposes of this article only opera and classical voice performances are listed.

The season kicks off with a concert performance of Bellini’s “I Puritani,” starring John Osborn as Lord Arthur Talbot; Christina Poulitsis as Elvira; Iurii Samoilov as Sir Riccardo Forth; Nahuel Di Pierro as Sir Giorgio, Martha Sotiriou and Enrichetta Di Francia; George Papadimitriou as Lord Gualtiero Valton; and Shay Ratia as Sir Bruno Robertson. Alphonse Cemin conducts the Athens State Orchestra.

Performance Date: Oct. 14, 2023

Händel’s “Semele” kicks off November. The production stars Marie Lys in the title role; Jeremy Ovenden as Jupiter/Apollo; Dara Savinova as Ino/Juno; Rafał Tomkiewicz  as Athamas; Gianluca Margheri as Cadmus/Somnus/High Priest; and Marilena Striftombola as Iris. George Petrou stage directs and conducts City of Athens Symphony Orchestra & Athens Chamber Choir.

Performance Date: Nov. 3, 4, 8, 10, 2023

“The Apaches of Athens” by Nikos Hadjiapostolou uses the adventures of a city tramp to depict Athens’ interwar society. This widely recognized operetta stands out for its memorable melodies. Director Vasilis Mavrogeorgiou leads a group of singers through a musical performance inspired by the Viennese style. The operetta stars Christos Kechris / Yannis Fillias as Kostas/The Prince; Yiorgo Ioannou / Georgios Iatrou as Karoubas: Marinos Tarnanas / Nikos Ziaziaris as Karkaletsos; Angelos Papadimitriou / Christos Stergioglou as Xenophon Paralis; Myrsini Margariti / Annie Fassea as Vera Parali; Diamanti Kritsotaki / Martha Sotiriou as Titika; Marita Paparizou / Margarita Syngeniotou as Aretousa Parali; Grigoris Poimenidis as Kyr Andreas; Yannis Tsoumarakis as Kleon. Zozo Sapountzaki makes a guest appearance. Kornilios Michailidis conducts the City of Athens Symphony Orchestra & Chorus.

Performance Dates: Dec. 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 2023

The City of Athens Chorus will present “Traditional Songs from Europe,” featuring music by Brahms, Bartók, Dvořák, Kodály, and Vaughan-Williams. Thanos Margetis will be at the piano and Stavros Beris conducts.

Performance Dates: Jan. 11, 2024

Some of the world’s leading singers will be performing arias and ensembles in “Boulevard Des Italiens” a concert featuring music by Spontini, Cherubini, Rossini, Donizetti, and Verdi. Soloists include soprano Catherine Hunold, tenor Dmitry Korchak, and bass Riccardo Fassi. Alessandro Bonato conducts the City of Athens Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.

Performance Dates:  Jan. 21, 2024

Soprano Poulitsis joins the Athens Philharmonia Orchestra in a presentation of music by Tchaikovsky, Ambroise Thomas, Spyros Samaras, Meyerbeer, and Berlioz. Byron Fidetzis conducts.

Performance Dates: Jan. 27, 2024

“¡Viva España!” will present traditional Spanish folk music along with zarzuela. Baritone Pablo Galvéz performs. Andreas Tselikas conducts the City of Athens Symphony Orchestra.

Performance Dates: Feb. 10, 2024

Spryos Samaras‘ opera, “Medgé” will be presented in concert format and star  Lucie Peyramaure as Medgé; Konstantinos Klironomos as Nair; Dimitris Platanias As Selim; Ηéloïse Mas As Vazanta; Christophoros Stamboglis As Kadur/The Great Brahmin; And Florent Leroux-Roche As Amgiad. Byron Fidetzis Conducts the Athens Philharmonia Orchestra & City of Athens Chorus.

Performance Dates: Feb. 17, 2024

“La Cenerentola” will be staged in a revived National opera of Greece production of Rossini’s comic opera originally directed by Radula Gaitanou. The revival is directed by Angela-Kleopatra Saroglou and stars Svetlina Stoyanova as Angelina, Matteo Macchioni as Don Ramiro, Jan Antem as Dandini, Giulio Mastrototaro as Don Magnifico, Davide Giangregorio as Alidoro, Annie Fassea as Clorinda, and Martha Sotiriou as Tisbe. Nikolas Nägele Conducts.

Performance Dates: Apr. 12, 14, 16, 18, 2024

Soprano Julie Fuchs joins pianist Alphonse Cemin in a concert featuring music by Faurè, Ravel, Wolf, as well as folk and Broadway tunes.

Performance Date: Apr. 26, 2024

Conductor Yuval Zorn leads the City of Athens Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in an Easter concert featuring Mendelssohn, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Fauré. Soloists include soprano Vassiliki Karayanni, and baritone Pavlos Pantazopoulos.

Performance Date: Apr. 29, 2024

Soprano Catherine Hunold sings the title role in the Greek debut of Fauré’s “Pénélope.” The cast includes Julien Henric as Ulysse; Anaïk Morel as Euryclée; Jérôme Boutillier as Eumée/Eurymake; Vassilis Kavayas as Antinoüs; Yannis Filias as Léodès; Florent Leroux-Roche as Ctésippe; Anthony Kordopatis as Pisandre; Chryssanthi Spitadi as Cléone; Elana Maragkou as Mélantho; Marilena Striftombola as Phylo; Diamanti Kritsotaki as Alkandre/Eurynome; Annie Fassea as Lydie/Un Pâtre.

Performance Dates: May 23, 2024