The Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra and its famous string instrument ensemble will present two remarkable works by Bartók and Vivaldi at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus as part of this year’s Athens and Epidaurus Festival.
Rich in contrasts, Béla Bartók’s Divertimento for String Orchestra will kick off the evening programme, combining neoclassical style with avant-garde modernism. (Conductor Zoi Tsokanou).

The Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra. Photograph: courtesy of AEF/A.Protidou
Antonio Vivaldi’s timeless masterpiece The Four Seasons will dominate the second part of the evening. This work comprises of the first four out of twelve concertos composed by Vivaldi for violin, string orchestra and continuo. Simos Papanas, concertmaster of the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, will perform as soloist on violin and as conductor.
Programme:
Béla Bartók (1881-1945)
Divertimento for String Orchestra, Sz.113, BB.118
Allegro non troppo
Molto adagio
Allegro assai
Conductor: Zoi Tsokanou
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)
The Four Seasons, 4 concertos for violin and string orchestra, Op. 8
Concerto No. 1 in E major, Op. 8, RV 269, “Spring” (La primavera)
Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 8, RV 315, “Summer” (L’estate)
Concerto No. 3 in F major, Op. 8, RV 293, “Autumn” (L’autunno)
Concerto No. 4 in F minor, Op. 8, RV 297, “Winter” (L’inverno)
Conductor / Soloist: Simos Papanas violin
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Watch the video on social distancing measures for this year’s Festival