The Summer Nostos Festival at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC) returns in June for a week of music and dance to celebrate the beginning of summer. Modern pioneers, internationally acclaimed performers and leading Greek artists from every field make up the programme of this year’s festival.
HIGHLIGHTS SUMMER NOSTOS FESTIVAL 2019
ADMISSION TO ALL EVENTS ARE FREE
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC AT SUMMER NOSTOS
(indie rock, folk, pop, R&B, country)
Neneh Cherry will perform live at the Summer Nostos Festival.
Soap & Skin – 24 June at 8:30pm at the Canal Stage
After six years of silence and intense changes, Austria’s Anja Plaschg returns to the music scene with her album “From Gas to Solid”, presenting a live show with her distinctive experimental pop sound.
Αndrew Bird – 24 June at 10pm on the Great Lawn
Shortly after the release of his single “Bloodless,” the American indie rock singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, violin virtuoso, and expert whistler appears in Greece for the first time.
Balthazar – 25 June at 8:30pm at the Canal Stage
Well-known in Greece from his project Warhaus, Maarten Devoldere and his Belgian band present their new album due to be released in late January.
Neneh Cherry – 25 June at 10pm on the Great Lawn
More mature than ever, the British-Swedish 90s icon presents her fifth album, a personal yet minimal project with clear references to her concerns and struggles as a socially aware citizen of the world.
Nakhane – 26 June at 8:30pm at the Canal Stage
Award-winning South African artist, a newcomer to the world music scene who set aside his fear and embraced his sexuality, is coming to Greece for a concert that is sure to be remembered.
Low – 27 June at 10pm on the Great Lawn
The 25th year of their shared life both on and off the stage, Low’s Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker return with their dynamic new album Double Negative, which UNCUT magazine declared the #1 album of 2018.
Local Natives – 28 June at 10pm on the Great Lawn
With a sound that’s matured through time, the Californian indie-pop band visits Greece for the first time with songs from their much-anticipated new album due to be released in the spring.
Rita Wilson will perform at this year’s Summer Nostos Festival.
Rita Wilson – 29 June at 7:30pm on the Alternative Stage, Greek National Opera
World-famous for her career as an actor and producer, the multi-talented Rita Wilson turned to pop-country music six years ago and has already released four albums and collaborations with leading artists of that genre. A live session with Rita Wilson. Pre-register for tickets here from 3pm on June 21st to secure your seat.
L.E.J. – 29 June at 8:30pm at the Canal Stage
This trio of French women with millions of views on YouTube, became world-famous for their covers and mashups of summer hits in 2015. They perform in their super up-tempo mood.
Choir! Choir! Choir! – 29 & 30 June at 11:00pm on the Alternative Stage, Greek National Opera
Here’s your chance again this year to become part of the world’s largest intercultural choir, even if you have never sung before in your life. Choir! Choir! Choir! that unique pair from Toronto, which has collaborated with major artists such as Patti Smith, David Byrne, and Rufus Wainwright with appearances at New York’s Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall, returns to the Summer Nostos Festival.
Schoolwave Rewind – 30 June at 9:30pm on the Great Lawn
A concert by bands and musicians who have performed in the Schoolwave festival as students, now returning as “graduates”.
STAGED PRODUCTIONS AT SUMMER NOSTOS
Triptych (Eyes of One on Another) – 26 June at 8pm at the Stavros Niarchos Hall, Greek National Opera
A new composition by Bryce Dessner (The National), directed by Daniel Fish & Ashley Tata, with libretto by Korde Arrington Tuttle (with words by Essex Hemphill and Patti Smith), based on the work of American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Also featuring the vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth and the Greek chamber music ensemble Ergon Ensemble. Pre-register for tickets here from 12pm on June 19th to secure your seat.
Victoria Thiérrée Chaplin will perform Bells and Spells at the Greek National Opera. Photograph: Lucie Janch
Bells & Spells by Victoria Thiérrée Chaplin – 26 June at 7:30pm on the Alternative Stage, Greek National Opera
The latest performance by Victoria Thiérrée Chaplin, daughter of the legendary Charlie Chaplin, starring her daughter Aurelia Thiérrée, and Jaime Martinez. Curious mechanisms, enchanted encounters, and mysterious musical boxes mark the passage of Aurelia and Jaime through the Summer Nostos Festival, in a spectacle that balances between dream and reality. Pre-register for tickets here from 1pm on June 19th to secure your seat.
Medea (operetta) – 28 & 29 June at 8pm at the Stavros Niarchos Hall, Greek National Opera
A new operetta by composer Nikos Kypourgos based on Medea, a parody of Euripides’ play by the Greek playwright Bost, featuring the orchestra, choir and singers of the Greek National Opera. Pre-register for tickets here from 12pm on June 20th to secure your seat.
Her Minds I – 28 June at 7:30pm on the Alternative Stage, Greek National Opera
A lyrical myth based on the story of the first mortal woman, Pandora. A project using multimedia. Concept and stage sets by Alexandros Tsolakis. Pre-register for tickets here from 2pm on June 21st to secure your seat.
THE GREEK MUSIC SCENE AT SUMMER NOSTOS
Alkistis Protopsalti will perform live at the Summer Nostos Festival.
Alkistis Protopsalti – 23 June at 10pm on the Great Lawn
She has performed landmark songs in Greek music, brings an explosive presence to the stage that transports her audience, and possesses a unique ability to sing not only in Greek, but also in Chinese, Spanish, Swahili, Armenian, English, and French.
Yorgos Margaritis – 26 June at 10pm on the Great Lawn
The leading performer of Greek laiko, popular city music, whose faithful audience spans all ages, has collaborated with the most notable composers and lyricists of the genre. Accompanied by a large orchestra, he will present a selection of the highlights from his music career, as well as a tribute to laika and rebetika songs.
Antonis Martsakis & Antonis Foniadakis – 27 June at 9:00pm at the Canal Stage
Authentic Cretan music meet the present with internationally acclaimed Antonis Foniadakis choreographing the music of the talented Antonis Martsakis. An original composition which skillfully walks the line between music and movement.
Michalis Kalkanis Group – 28 June at 8:30pm at the Canal Stage
Bass player Michalis Kalkanis’s Greek ethnic jazz ensemble showcases Kaklanis’s compositions with guest Nadishana, the Siberian multi-instrumentalist and composer.
YALLA 2.0 – 29 June at 10pm on the Great Lawn
The multi-talented performer and artist Marina Satti together with Fonés, and Chóres, her electric band and a number of surprise collaborations on stage present a multinational program that will take us on a journey through traditional and contemporary sound and above all give rhythm and color to the Summer Nostos Festival musical stage.
CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY-CLASSICAL MUSIC AT SUMMER NOSTOS
Lisa Hannigan will perform at the Greek National Opera.
Sō Percussion – 23 June at 8pm at the Stavros Niarchos Hall, Greek National Opera
A collaborative percussion quartet from New York with a repertoire ranging from well-known contemporary composers such as Steve Reich, David Lang, Caroline Shaw, Bryce Dessner and Julia Wolfe, to new works for listeners who love adventure. Pre-register for tickets here from 12pm on June 18th to secure your seat.
Tetraktys – 25 June at 7:30pm on the Alternative Stage, Greek National Opera
One of Greece’s leading chamber music ensembles, acclaimed as one of the most dynamic and avant-garde European quartets and renowned for its musical experimentation, presents works by Beethoven, Schnittke, and Steve Reich. Pre-register for tickets here from 1pm on June 18th to secure your seat.
Yale Alumni Chorus & El Sistema Greece – 29 June at 8pm at the Stavros Niarchos Hall, Greek National Opera
The Summer Nostos Festival’s most populous productions for 2019. 125 chorus singers from Yale University, the El Sistema Greece choir and a symphony orchestra will appear on the stage at Stavros Niarchos Hall performing works by Brahms and Christopher Theofanidis. Pre-register for tickets here from 12pm on June 21st to secure your seat.
Lisa Hannigan & Stargaze – 30 June at 8pm at the Stavros Niarchos Hall, Greek National Opera
Lisa Hannigan, in collaboration with the European music collective Stargaze presents reworkings of songs from three of her albums. Pre-register for tickets here from 1pm on June 21st to secure your seat.
SUMMER NOSTOS FESTIVAL FUN RUN
23 June at 8:50pm starting at the Panathenaic Stadium
As they have every year, sports play a central role in this year’s Summer Nostos Festival program, culminating in the evening race known as the “Summer Nostos Festival Run: Running into the Future” which will take place on Olympic Day. The race offers three different courses: 10 km, 6 km, and 1 km for Special Olympics athletes. Pre-register here for your spot in the fun run.
In addition, every day, kayaking, rock climbing, STEAM games, capoeira, table tennis, and a host of other fun activities will be waiting for Festival-goers young and old at the Running Track, the Stavros Niarchos Park, and the Canal.
All events are free of charge. See full schedule here.
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