The citizens of Athens have a newly revamped venue to call their own with the reopening of the Olympia Theatre, officially known as Olympia Municipal Music Theatre, Maria Callas.
Housed inside the historic Olympia building that sits on Akadimias Street, it was home to the Greek National Opera (GNO) for more than 50 years. Left vacant after the GNO relocated to its new stage at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre in early 2017, the Olympia Theatre has now reopened its doors to the public after a full refurbishment carried out by the City of Athens.
The theatre is named in honour of Maria Callas.
The theatre will house the city’s new initiative, a municipal opera and will pay tribute to the legendary Greek opera singer, Maria Callas. Several of Callas’ personal objects will be displayed and dedicated to her memory.
OLYMPIA THEATRE PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
APRIL 2019
THAT OLD FEELING CONCERT
with the Athens Big Band & Dimitri Kalantzi
2 April | 8:30pm
The Athens Big Band joins up with one of Greece’s most famous and loved pianists, composers and conductors, Dimitris Kalantzis. A classical jazz repertoire will be presented through the original orchestrations of Dimitri Kalantzi, with two singers and a vocal ensemble. A totally mainstream jazz evening, with great pieces, where dancing is not permitted but required!
Pre-Sale: Tickets Available Here
ALEXIS ZORBAS
Mikis Theodorakis
4 April | 8:30pm
An evening of music by the great Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis. Featuring Mezzo Soprano solist, Elena Papanikolaou with the Symphony Orchestra & Choir of the Municipality of Athens.
Pre-Sale: Tickets Available Here
TRIBUTE TO KOSTA HATZI
Concert with the Greek Music Workshop
10 April | 8:30pm
The Athens Greek MusicWorkshop meets Kosta Hatzi on stage on a musical journey led by the timeless melodies of this great musician.
Piano: Giorgos Payatis. Artistic direction: Aggelos Ilias
Pre-Sale: Tickets Available Here
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT
Tribute: France in the Municipality of Athens
11April | 8:30pm
France in one of its most characteristic musical eras; ClaudeDebussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun and Maurice Ravel: Concerto in G for Piano and Orchestra
Soloist: Nefeli Mousoura. Gabriel Fauré: Pavane, Op. 50 Gabriel Fauré: Elegy, Op. 24 Claude Debussy: Petite Suite. Musical Direction: Stathis Soulis
Tickets: Yet to be announced
THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK
Concert with Athens Big Band, Christos Rafailidis & Thana Alexa
16 April | 8:30pm
The Athens’ Big Band has the pleasure of collaborating with two internationally recognised artists based in New York: vibraphonists Christos Rafaelidis and Thana Alexa in song. There will be pieces from a wider repertoire of jazz music, along with important songs that became the backbone of traditional jazz music.
Tickets: Yet to be announced
The Olympia Theatre during its final night performance of Rhea by the Greek National Opera. Photograph: courtesy of GNO
EASTER MONDAY CONCERT
with the Symphony Orchestra and Choir of Athens
22 April | 8:30pm
This Easter concert features Symphony Orchestra and the Choir of Athens who will present the work of distinguished contemporary Greek composer: Dimitris Minakakis. The theme of the Oratorio is the journey of Jesus Christ, starting with his triumphant beginning in Jerusalem. Audiences can expect Byzantine hymns and chants for Easter week along with original music for the “Troparion of Kassiani” – a rendition of the poem by Kostis Palamas.
Soloists: Antonia Kalogirou (Soprano), Ines Zikou (Mezzo Soprano), Antonis Koronaios (Tenor) Tasos Apostolou (Contralto) | Narrator: Alexis Kostalas | Choir Lead: Stavros Beris | Musical Direction: Eleftherios Kalkanis
Tickets: Yet to be announced
EASTER TUESDAY CONCERT
23 April | 8:30pm
Another Easter concert with the Greek Music Workshop under the artistic direction of Aggelos Ilias.
Tickets: Yet to be announced
MAY 2019
PANDELIS THALASSINOS & THE GREEK MUSIC WORKSHOP
10 May | 8:30pm
The Greek Music Workshop of the municipality of Athens, together with songwriter Pantelis Thalassinos, take the audience on a journey along beloved musical trails.
Art direction: Aggelos Ilias
Tickets: Available here for this performance
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