EVENT INFORMATION
Opera
Richard Strauss
Elektra
First time presented by the GNO
GNO's official opening at the SNFCC
Conductor Vassilis Christopoulos
Director-sets Yannis Kokkos
PREMIERE 15 OCTOBER 2017
15, 18, 22, 26, 31 October 2017
ATREUS CYCLE
20th CENTURY CYCLE
Greek National Opera - Stavros Niarchos Hall
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center
Starts at: 20.00
Artistic associate-dramaturgy
Anne Blanchard Costumes
Lily Kendaka Lighting
Vinicio Cheli
Video art: Ideogamma SRL - Sergio Metalli
Chorus master: Agathangelos Georgakatos
Klytemnestra:
Agnes BaltsaElektra:
Sabine HogrefeChrysothemis:
Gun-Brit BarkminAegisthus:
Frank van AkenOrestis:
Dimitris TiliakosOrestis' tutor:
Kostis MavrogenisHer confidante:
Amalia AvlonitiHer trainbearer:
Irini AthanasiouA young servant:
Christos KechrisAn old servant:
Kostis RasidakisAn overseer:
Artemis BogriFive maids:
Chrysanthi Spitadi, Ines Zikou, Marissia Papalexiou, Sofia Kyanidou, Maria Mitsopoulou
With the
Greek National Opera Orchestra and
Chorus
Ticket prices: 15, 30, 40, 60, 65, 100
Students, reduced: 15
Limited visibility seats: 10
Exclusive sponsor of the production: MYTILINEOS
The Greek National Opera warmly thanks Mrs. Agnes Baltsa for her pro bono participation.
Greek National Opera inaugurates the new chapter in its history at its new facilities at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center with an ambitious venture, having chosen an insuperable operatic masterpiece with a Greek storyline as its first work; none other than Richard Strauss’ Elektra based on the tragedy of that name by Sophocles.
Elektra has been dubbed one of the most important, yet also most demanding, 20th century operas. Staging the work is a major challenge for the Greek National Opera and its musical ensembles because the particularly complex score, in which Strauss pushes expressionistic delivery to the limits, almost touching upon tonality, requires around 110 musical instruments.
Strauss’ Elektra has never before been performed by the Greek National Opera. The symbolism operates on many levels, since a work with a Greek theme has been chosen, inspired by the myth of the house of Atreus, which will play a major role in the Greek National Opera’s overall program for the next 3 years, but is also a 20th century work since one of the Greek National Opera’s intentions is to demonstrate that opera, the lyric art, and musical theater did not come to an end in the 19th century.
The production also marks the first collaboration between the Greek National Opera and world class Greek contralto Agnes Baltsa, who will star as Klytemnestra in all performances, which will be directed by the international Greek director and set designer Yannis Kokkos, and conducted by the internationally acclaimed conductor Vassilis Christopoulos. The acclaimed German soprano Sabine Hogrefe stars in the title role. Renowned Greek baritone Dimitris Tiliakos will be debuting in the role of Orestis.
