Ekaterina Gubanova, Dimitri Platanias, Catherine Foster, Cellia Costea Headline Greek National Opera’s 2023-24 Season

The Greek National Opera has unveiled its 2023-24 season. First up is a gala entitled “Callas at the Herodium” in honor of the legendary soprano. The gala will feature superstar singers from around the world performing works by Verdi, Wagner, Donizetti, and Beethoven, among others. Performance Date: Sept. 16, 2023 The company will present “The Artist on the Composer” featuring {…}

May 9, 2023

Anna Sohn Leads Greek National Opera’s ‘Madama Butterfly’

The Greek National Opera is set to present French director Olivier Py’s new production of Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly.” The production will mark his first staging of “Madama Butterfly” with a production that places the orchestra onstage and fills the outdoor venue with the aesthetics and colors of America and Japan. GNO conductor Vassilis Christopoulos will lead the opera which is {…}

Mar 22, 2023

Greek National Opera to Celebrate Maria Callas’ Centennial with Series of Events

Greek National Opera has announced a series of events in tribute of legendary soprano Maria Callas. Curated by GNO Artistic Director Giorgios Koumendakis, the tribute will focus on Callas’ early years in Greece, where she performed with the company within the year of its founding. Among the events are: First up is Cherubini’s “Medea.” Paying homage to Callas’ 1953 portrayal, {…}

Mar 4, 2023

Anna Pirozzi Stars in ‘Medea’ at Greek National Opera

Photo credit: Marty Sohl The Greek National Opera (GNO) will present the Greek premiere of Sir David McVicar’s production of Cherubini’s “Medea” starring soprano Anna Pirozzi. Alongside Pirozzi is bass-baritone Yanni Yannissis as Creon, soprano Vassiliki Karayanni as Glauce, tenor Giorgio Berrugi singing the role of Jason, mezzo-soprano Nefeli Kotseli as Neris, bass Nikolas Douros as the Captain of the {…}

Feb 18, 2023

Anita Rachvelishvili Stars in ‘Werther’ at Greek National Opera

(Photo Credit: M. Stafylidou) Mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili will star in the Greek National Opera’s (GNO) revival production of Massenet’s “Werther.” Rachvelishvili will debut her role as Charlotte. Singing the title role of Werther is Italian tenor Francesco Demuro. The cast also includes baritone Nikos Kotenidis as Albert, bass-baritone Yanni Yannissis as the Commendatore, tenor Nicolas Maraziotis as Schmidt, baritone Marinos Tarnanas {…}

Feb 7, 2023

Greek National Opera to Present Unique Double Bill of Bartok & Puccini Operas

The Greek National Opera is set to present a double bill of “Bluebeard’s Castle” and “Gianni Schicchi” this March. The production, which features Themelis Glynatsis rendition of the Bartok opera and John Fulljames’ take on the Puccini classic, opens on March 9 and runs for four performances through the 24th, 2023. This is Glynatsis’ first production for the mainstage of {…}

Jan 5, 2023

Greek National Opera Extends Artistic Director for Three More Years

The Greek National Opera has announced that Giorgos Koumendakis’ tenure has been extended for another three years through 2026. The decision was announced by the Greek Minister of Culture and Sport, Lina Mendon. Koumendakis, also a composer took over the position in 2017; this represents his third term as Artistic Director. “While my first term (2017-2020) was focused on laying {…}

Dec 27, 2022

Oper Graz Announces New Chief Conductor

Oper Graz has appointed Vassilis Christopoulos to the position of Chief Conductor. He will commence his tenure during the 2023-24 season. He will take over for Roland Kluttig, who is set to step down at the end of the current season. A fixture at the Greek National Opera where he has led productions of such operas as “Tosca,” “Serse,” “La {…}

Dec 25, 2022

Greek National Opera to Premiere New ‘Falstaff’ Production

The Greek National Opera is set to present a new production of Verdi’s “Falstaff” starting on Jan. 26, 2023. The showcase, which will be directed by Stephen Langridge, will run through Feb. 10 for a total of six performances. “Our production is set in England in the 1930s. A time between the wars (Falstaff was an old soldier), with a {…}

Dec 2, 2022

Greek National Opera to Present National Premiere of ‘Les Contes d’Hoffman’

On December 18, 2022, Greek National Opera will present the national premiere of Offenbach’s “Les contes d’Hoffmann.” This co-production between GNO and La Monnaie will be staged by prominent European director Krzysztof Warlikowski, Artistic Director of Warsaw’s Nowy Teatr, and conducted by Lukas Karytinos. Due to its unfinished nature, the version of the work presented will be the most recent {…}

Oct 28, 2022

Greek National Opera to Stream Robert Wilson’s ‘Otello’

The Greek National Opera will present the GNO TV premiere of Verdi’s “Otello” on Nov. 6, 2022. The opera stars Aleksandrs Antonenko in the title role alongside soprano Celia Costea and baritone Tassis Christoyannis. Other cast members include Dimitris Paksoglou, Yannis Kalyvas, Petros Magoulas, Marinos Tarnas, Pavlos Sampsakis, and Violetta Lousta. Stathis Soulis conducts a production directed by Robert Wilson. {…}

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