Cultural Events

The Greek conductor Vassilis Christopoulos began his tenure as chief conductor of the Graz Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra a few months ago, taking over the reins of one of Europe’s most historic opera houses. The Festival is delighted to welcome the internationally acclaimed conductor and ‘his’ orchestra together with the explosive pianist Alexia Mouza.

The works in the programme, in one way or another, allude to Vienna’s musical tradition: the charming Johann Strauss’ Overture to Die Fledermaus (The Bat) is followed by one of Mozart’s most renowned and treasured works, the Concerto No. 23 in A major for piano and orchestra. The second part is dedicated to a landmark work of late musical romanticism, Mahler’s Symphony No. 1.

JOHANN STRAUSS (1825–1899)
Overture to the operetta The Bat (Die Fledemaus)

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756–1791)
Concerto No. 23 in A Major for Piano and Orchestra, K. 488

GUSTAV MAHLER (1860–1911)
Symphony No. 1 in D major, ‘Titan’
I. Langsam. Schleppend
II. Kräftig, bewegt, doch nicht zu schnell
III. Feierlich und gemessen, ohne zu schleppen
IV. Stürmisch bewegt

In Sting’s distinguished career, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has received 17 Grammy Awards and sold 100 million albums worldwide from his combined work as one of the most distinctive solo artists in the world and former front man of The Police. A composer, singer-songwriter, actor, author and activist, Sting also has received a Golden Globe, four Oscar nominations, a Tony nomination, Billboard Magazine’s Century Award and Kennedy Center Honors.

His support for human rights organizations such as the Rainforest Fund, Amnesty International, and Live Aid mirrors his art in its universal outreach. Along with wife Trudie Styler, Sting founded the Rainforest Fund in 1989 to protect both the world’s rainforests and the indigenous people living there. You can find out more at www.sting.com.

At the Odeon of Herodes Atticus concert, Sting’s special guest will be the multi-talented songwriter and performer Giordana Angi.

The Festival commemorates the 50th anniversary of the restoration of Democracy and invites Dionysis Savvopoulos to stage a musical celebration/tribute to the songs that marked the Metapolitefsi era, the conquest of democratic rights, freedom, entertainment, everyday life, hope.

Spotlighting the musical milestones of the period from 1973 to 1983, Dionysis Savvopoulos, as the evening’s host, calls upon the acclaimed performers Eleftheria Arvanitaki, George Dalaras, Maria Farantouri, Dimitra Galani, Manolis Mitsias, Panos Mouzourakis, Filippos Pliatsikas, Melina Tanagri and Christos Thivaios to join their voices and sing his own hits of the era but also those of Hadjidakis, Theodorakis, Xarchakos, Loizos, Markopoulos, Mikroutsikos, Lagios, and others.

With a band comprised by exceptional musicians under the orchestration of Giotis Kiourtsoglou (with two additional orchestrations by Stavros Lantsias) and the ERT Choir, we will have the chance to experience two nights that will make history.

The Philharmonic Brass was formed in 2023 by sixteen brass players and four percussionists, members of the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestras & Friends. Eminent musicians spanning three generations bring together their passion and strengths to further expand their virtuosity. Working with conductors who are closely tied to both the Berlin and the Vienna Philharmonic, The Philharmonic Brass aim to create an unforgettable concert experience.

At the Odeon of Herodes Atticus concert, the orchestra will be performing popular film score pieces and classical works alike, under the baton of Maestro Philippe Auguin.

DMITRI SOSTAKOVICH (1906–1975)
Festive overture in A major, Op. 96
(Arrangement by Peter J. Lawrence)

GIUSEPPE VERDI (1813–1901)
La forza del destino (Arrangement by Matthias Höfs)

GIACOMO PUCCINI (1858-1924)
Intermezzo from the opera Manon Lescaut
(Arrangement by Peter J. Lawrence)

OTTORINO RESPIGHI (1879-1936)
The Pines of the Appian Way from the symphonic poem Pines of Rome
(Arrangement by Peter J. Lawrence)

ANTONIN DVOŘÁK (1841–1904)
Carnival Overture for orchestra, Op. 92
(Arrangement by Peter J. Lawrence)

TOMASO ALBINONI (1671–1751)
Adagio in G minor
(Arrangement by Peter J. Lawrence)

GEORGE GERSHWIN (1898–1937)
Cuban Overture
(Arrangement by Peter J. Lawrence)

ENNIO MORRICONE (1928–2020)
The Untouchables
(Arrangement by Sarai Vangelli de Cresci)

JOHN WILLIAMS (1932–)
Excerpts from the Harry Potter and Star Wars soundtracks
(Arrangement by Alex Johansson/Matthias Preisinger)

Thanks to a fiery combination of talent, virtuosity, expressivity, and brilliance, Georgian piano superstar Katia Buniatishvili is always able to captivate her audiences wherever she appears, performing highly demanding works and delivering genuinely passionate and inspired readings. This year we welcome her to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus to perform perhaps the most popular piano concerto of all time, Tchaikovsky’s No. 1.

Her companions in this melodic journey through the romantic composer’s world, the Athens State Orchestra and the acclaimed conductor Loukas Karytinos, will transform themselves into soloists in Bella Bartók's iconic Concerto for Orchestra, the Hungarian mastermind’s most impressive symphonic work; vibrant, uplifting, and bordering on frenzy, promising a most enthralling evening.

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY (1840–1893)
Piano Concerto No. 1, Op. 23
I. Andante non troppo e molto maestoso – Allegro con spirito
II. Andantino semplice – Allegro vivace assai
III. Allegro con fuoco

BÉLA BARTÓK (1881–1945)
Orchestra Concerto
I. Introduzione. Andante non troppo
II. Presentando le coppie. Allegro scherzando
III. Elegia. Andante non troppo
IV. Intermezzo interrotto. Allegretto
V. Finale. Pesante-Presto

The unique Tania Tsanaklidou will be welcomed on the stage of the Odeon or Herodes Atticus 14 July, in a special evening of this year’s Festival. The performer brings the treasures of her 50-year discography to the present day, with songs that have defined her career.

In a musical performance curated by herself, the flow of the songs will be tracking both the socio-political context in which they were born and Tsanaklidou’s artistic pursuits over the years. Thus, the junta years, the Metapolitefsi era, the boîtes of Plaka, Nikos Xylouris and Christos Leontis will be conversing on stage with Tania Tsanaklidou’s passage through the Greek Art Theatre (Theatro Technis) and the National Theatre of Northern Greece, Yannis Spanos, yet also Mugnog Kinder, Charlie Chaplin, Edith Piaf, George Hadjinasios, Stamatis Kraounakis, Michalis Delta, etc.

Odeon of Herodes Atticus is located on the southern slopes of the Acropolis, on Dionysiou Areopagitou Street.

Entry to the Odeon is from the pedestrianized Dionysiou Areopagitou Street, a walkway linking Athens’ main archaeological sites. The venue is easily accessible due to its location in the heart of the city.

Transport

By metro
Board at Megaro Mousikis station of metro line 3 (direction towards Dimotiko Theatro) and disembark at Syntagma Station. There, transfer to metro line 2 (direction towards Elliniko) and disembark at Acropolis station. Your destination is a 9-minute walk.

By bus
Board Line 3 at Megaro Mousikis Station (direction towards Dimotiko Theatro) and disembark at Syntagma Station. From there, board bus line 230 "Zografou - Acropolis" and disembark at "Erechtheiou" stop. Your destination is a 5-minute walk.