GNO lead donor

This Greek National Opera tribute to Manolis Kalomiris bears dual significance: on the one hand, it spotlights the great Greek composer's links to music drama and the Greek National Opera; on the other, it showcases two of his works that are completely unknown.

The first part of the evening will feature performances of the recently restored Symphonic Fantasy from The Master Builder, his popular Suite from The Mother's Ring, and the thrilling symphonic poem Minas the Rebel, Corsair of the Aegean, based on the novel of the same title by Costis Bastias - the founding Director of the GNO. The second part of the evening will present world-first performances of To the Freedom of Crete, a work for choir and orchestra, and The Marble King - an iconic cantata inspired by the Balkan Wars, written in 1914 for two voices, choir and orchestra, and featuring poems by Myrtiotissa.

Of Samian descent, Manolis Kalomiris (1883-1962) was born in Smyrna, where he took his first music lessons - studies he would continue in Athens and Istanbul before going on to study piano, music theory, and composition at the Vienna Conservatory. Kalomiris is considered the founder of a «national school» of Greek music. He drew inspiration from Greek traditions and song, as well as from the poetry and literature of his time. He would compose more than 220 works, including five operas, three symphonies, symphonic poems, a piano concerto, a violin concertino, song cycles for solo voice with both orchestral and piano accompaniments, works for the piano, chamber music, choral music, and pieces for children (both choral and piano works). His operas have been presented over and again by the Greek National Opera.