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THEATER : “Ivan and the dogs” with Aris Servetalis in Thessaloniki

 The successful show directed by Giorgos Oikonomou with Aris Servetalis and presented until January 1st in Athens, also goes up in Thessaloniki and brings to life the true story of little Ivan from 5 until 15 January 2012.
The performance inaugurates the reopening of the AVLAIA theater.
"And so the money ran out and there was no way
to buy food.
They tried everything to find money and buy food but nothing was done because the money was all gone.
So moms and dads tried to find things they could get rid of, things they ate, things they drank or things that needed warmth.
They searched their homes for such things.
The dogs left first."
How does one survive in the violent and inhospitable landscape of a city that has been fatally affected by the recession; "Ivan and the Dogs" is a gripping story of survival that brings to life the grim streets of 19th-century Moscow 1990 through the eyes of a child.
"I won't talk about the orphanage.
Those were the worst days.
They take me to church.
They tell me I have a soul.
It is something bright that is within me and is a part of it
God, but when I look at it, this part of God,
it has a tail and a clawed foot and a black wet snout"
True story: Moscow, winter of 1996. Terrified and abused by his brutal stepfather, a four-year-old boy runs away from home and miraculously survives by joining a pack of dogs. After three unsuccessful attempts by the police, he is finally 'arrested' 1998 and is locked up in an asylum. Then it is adopted. In his dreams Ivan Mishukov is still running on the edge of town with his dogs.
In the performance directed by Giorgos Oikonomou, Aris Servetalis narrates and experiences in the first person and in the first person the story of Ivan's childhood. He is the protagonist of a story that, although completely true, it was written with the materials of the most extreme fairy tale: the risk, the courage, the violence, the despair, the overthrow, the panic, the hope, the pursuit, the friendship, adulthood, love and peace. He is a modern Mogli, a four-year-old boy in the Moscow jungle of his decade 90 where the angst for survival is immense and hope is nil. Little Ivan moves in a landscape where homeless alcoholics are the protagonists, the nouveau riche gangsters, juvenile prisoners, the fear, cold and hunger. He leaves one night alone from the nightmare of his home to plunge into this landscape of complete destitution. He runs away to escape. And there next to a pack of dogs he will finally find harmony.
Writer Hattie Naylor was born in London and was studying painting when the BBC accepted her entry for the Young Playwrights Festival with her play The Box. Since then she has won many national and international awards for her radio plays. He lives in Bristol and has written about theatre, the opera and the cinema.
Ivan and the Dogs premiered at the Drum Theatre, in Plymouth, in September 2010 and has been performed with great success in London and New York. The 2011 is nominated for an Olivier Award.
The translation of the work is signed by Giorgos Kalamandis, directed by Giorgos Oikonomou, the scenery and costumes by Kostas Velinopoulos, music by Nikos Portokaloglou, lighting by Yiannis Drakularakos.
Aris Servetalis in the role of Ivan
Info
Location Theater Avlaia, HANTH square (Tsimiski side), Thessalonica
Premiere date Thursday 5 January 2012
Representations: Every day except Monday, time 21:00. Duration: 1.05’
Information Tel. 2310423925
Ticket prices 15 €, student 10 €
Source : culturenow.gr
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STEVEN SPIELBERG : He is running with "Horse" for an Oscar

"War Horse"
The new film cost him 70 from. dollars was also needed for the filming 6.000 comrades, 300 horses and three containers with objects of A’ Global
The "War Horse", a boundless odyssey of friendship, filmed in the countryside of Devon, England
Friendship and loyalty. Passion, faith and courage. He inspired a Hollywood cinema that deals with these ideals, Steven Spielberg has taken on the film adaptation of a popular book from the 80s, similar style, which was also transferred to the theater stage in London and Broadway with success. The "War Horse", Oscar-winning film with British stars, aired since Christmas in the United States, while it is expected in Greek theaters on 19 January.
Spielberg himself, in any case, he avoids talking about the Oscar chances of his films (the 3D adventure “The Adventures of Ten Ten: The Secret of the Unicorn" premiered in Europe in November and came out in America just a few days ago, on Christmas Eve), having been "burnt" in the past. Keeping a low profile, the director has said that "he was fascinated by the story because it transported him exactly to that time", after seeing the play.
He got a matching glove, in other words, Spielberg's story by author Michael Morpurgo, which takes place in the era of A’ World War, shortly after its outbreak, and recounts the exemplary friendship of a boy with his horse. The hero, the teenager Albert, he sets out to find his horse on the battlefield, since his father sells it to the British cavalry. He leaves his farm, ranks in the army, while Joey, his horse, it is at the forefront of the French front and changes with its presence the lives of those who meet it (English, French, Germans).
What could be more fitting to the "Spielbergian" cinema than this short story, one finds. So the director set out to make it into a movie. He commissioned Richard Curtis to write the screenplay (“An evening in Notting Hill, «Love actually», "Four Weddings and a Funeral") and chose as the protagonist the unknown young Englishman Jeremy Irvine, native of the English theater scene, for "the absolute provincial innocence" she saw in him. With production costs amounting to 70 million. dollars, filmed the borderless odyssey of friendship in the countryside of Devon, England. Used - according to official figures- 300 horses and 6.000 comrades, while he scattered in his work also objects of A’ World War, from the personal collection of Peter Jackson who sent them to him in three containers!
"She won me over with her authenticity and honesty", notes Steven Spielberg for the story and admits that he became interested in horses thanks to his daughter's love of’ these. “I hope it brings people together, as her message, in its essence, people from different countries and nationalities can feel it", concludes.
The poster and the …tissues
In the final stretch for the announcement of his Oscar nominations 2012, "War Horse" is galloping along as one of the favorites for a spot in the best picture category (yesterday the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled the poster of the 84th Academy Awards – a collage of the most famous movie stills, awarded with the golden statuette). The emotional finale – climax of the story requires a lot… tissues from the spectators, while American critics praise: "Technically great, proudly sentimental and unabashedly old-fashioned, the ”War horse” is a moving drama that tugs hard at the heartstrings with Spielberg's usual customary law", we read.
The cast
The "War Horse", produced by Dreamworks and distributed by Disney, starring Jeremy Irvine, Peter Malan, Emma Watson, David Thewlis and Benedict Cumberbatch. The director of photography Janusz Kaminski and the veteran music composer John Williams stood by the director's side for the umpteenth time.
Source : ethnos.gr
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Lynyrd Skynyrd in Greece!

The most popular name of south rock, οι Lynyrd Skynyrd, finally live in Athens on 12 June! And we will listen too, live, tracks like 'Free Bird', «Sweet Home Alabama» και «That Smell».

Beyond the guitar riffs of the American South and the "deadly" songs, Lynyrd Skynyrd is a band with unquenchable passion, a group responsible for perpetuating the uniquely American spirit.

And with new material, the first after the 2003 and the Vicious Cycle. The legendary band Lynyrd Skynyrd is back with 'God & Guns», an album released on the label of the historic 'Loud & Proud / Roadrunner Records». Recorded in Nashville between 2008 – 2009, but with various misfortunes hitting the band. The project was abruptly halted by the death of founding member and keyboardist Billy Powell and later bassist Ean Evans (2011).

With the guidance of the main band members, by Gary Rossington (guitars), Johnny Van Zant (vocally) and Rickey Medlocke (guitars), along with drummer Michael Cartellone, Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded an album (under "threat" status, as usual, according to Van Zant), that lives up to the legend it started 35 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida.

It was the period when their career was at its peak, the decade up to and including 1977, when three of their members were killed in a plane crash, among them Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines. Since, although the band again tragically lost Allen Collins, Leon Wilkeson and Hughie Thomasson, it didn't stop rocking.

After the recent deaths of Powell and Evans, "many would obviously expect us to say it's taken so long..", Medlocke admits. With a catalog that exceeds 60 albums and sales reaching the 30 millions, Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that resonates with all generations. Their new album God & Guns comes to confirm the rule. "We wanted to prove to the world that we still have aces up our sleeves," says founding member and guitarist Gary Rossington.

Returning from the studio after Powell's death, whose keyboards can be heard on more than half the songs on God & Guns, "It was really very difficult, I'm not going to lie to you,” Van Zant confesses. “But we got through it, as by’ The,what Lynyrd Skynyrd always seem to do. Music is the best therapy. This record needed to be made. Gary, o Rickey and I just said "let's go ahead, let's finish it!”».

The tears have stopped now too.. it’s time to rock! "I'm so happy we finally got back up and keep playing," adds Medlocke. "For us, standing beyond,what has happened, makes this record even more special. I'm absolutely certain that Billy and Ean are looking down on us with huge smiles!».

With the famous Bob Marlette signing the production and the addition of guitarist John 5, the album sounds denser than any other. “Never before have we worked so well with producers, we've always wanted things done our way,' admits Rossington. “Bob Marlette is a great guy. He found a way to talk to us "musically" and that made us friends immediately. He had many new fresh ideas and ways of doing things, while at the same time he wanted to preserve the old sounds".

For John 5, Rossington adds: “He's probably one of the best guitarists I've ever worked with, and as you know I have played with many excellent ones. He lives with his guitar". Based on Southern rock and country, with passionate vocals from Van Zant, and with the characteristic guitars of the group, the God & Guns manages to maintain the familiar style of Skynyrd while, at the same time, it sounds completely modern. And timely too, something very necessary s’ in these politically volatile times – it is evident from the titles of some of the tracks that suggest a sense of threat and refusal to remain quiet and inactive. Things that certainly remind many of the beginning of Skynyrd.

"It's not just the words 'God and guns'. You have to look at the past and see what foundations this country was built on: to freedom", says Medlocke. "Everyone should be able to make their own decisions without the other telling them what to do and when to do it. This is called freedom of choice", continues Medlocke who is proud to be Native American. “I'm sure some will say rednecks are back (white racists). So I answer them that the members of this band are not "rednecks". The only damned redneck is me because I'm simply a redneck!».

Skynyrd keep the standards high. Live and in their songs. "Some will accuse us of going on tour because we need the money. The reality is that we just love music, it is much more than money. We live to get on stage and play live. And to see in people's eyes, how much they love this music".

At 18 June we will be in Elliniko, at the Baseball Field to see how Lynyrd Skynyrd continue to be the best ambassadors of the American South. And they play authentic southern rock. Most of us for the first time will sing together lyrics that marked our own past..Sweet home Alabama, Where the skies are so blue, Sweet home Alabama, Lord, I’m coming home to you..

Lynyrd Skynyrd full band:
Gary Rossington- Guitar Johnny Van Zant- Vocals Rickey Medlocke- Guitar Mark “Sparky” Matejka- Guitar Michael Cartellone- Drums Robert Kearns – Bass Peter “Keys” Pisarczyk – Keyboards Honkettes: Dale Krantz Rossington- Backing Vocals Carol Chase- Backing Vocals

Space: Hellinikon Baseball Field
Date: 18 June 2012

Ticket sales
at the price of €35
until 31/01/12 at www.livetickets.gr

New sales points will be announced soon.

Source : zougla.gr
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Don Quixote "dances" in the Lyric

Based on the novel "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes, classic ballet masterpiece, presented by 4 February to 3 March at the National Opera.

The combination of spirited choreography with the strong presence of Spanish color and temperament, creates the pleasant note of the celebration... The absolutely inspired music of the Austrian composer contributes decisively to the enormous success of the show, timeless.

As Vladimir Vasiliev typically reports, "today, Don Quixote is a choice of repertoire of the world's leading ballet groups and a quality criterion of performance. Nouns, the group that can render Don Quixote correctly, she can dance anything…”.

Representations
4, 5, 12, 19, 24, 25 February
2, 3 Of March 2012

Ludwig Minkus/ Vladimir Vasiliev
Libretto: Marius Petipa in the version of Vladimir Vasiliev
With the Orchestra, the first dancers, soloist, top performers and the corps de ballet of the National Opera

Ticket prices €50, €45, €40, €30, €25, €20

Student €15

Olympia Theater,  Academy 59-61, Athena


Source : newsbeast.gr

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To 2011 he takes with him great Greeks

Our Culture is poorer

On Wednesday an article was posted on protothema.gr with the people of world culture who “they left” from life it 2011. As hard as it is to write about the deaths of Elizabeth Taylor and Sidney Lumet, imagine how hard the hand can type names like Thanasis Veggos and Nikos Papazoglou…
The current image of Greece does not “says” the truth.
As much culture as this country has produced, no other countries have done it together. When society was oppressed, then his role “alarm clock” he was played by art. Unfortunately many “alarm clocks” consciences left the 2011 and they left a huge void, not only in Greek culture, but in the global.
In the list below, an attempt was made to mention all the great Greeks who left us in the 2011. Let's hope so 2012, the corresponding list to be shorter.
Upon hearing the news of the death of Thanasis Veggos, everyone felt a shiver run through them. All media were titled “Our good man, he left”. What can one say about the tireless Thanasis, the Thanasis of our hearts, the Thanasis of the soul of every Greek. It is difficult to begin to describe his artistic career and even more difficult to describe what he has contributed to Greek culture. They have been recorded to his credit 126 movies, The day for the draw of the two lucky ones 52 as the lead actor and had directed seven more films. One of the most popular of Greek cinema, while until recently he continued to appear in films, on television and the theater.
Michalis Kakogiannis is one of the few Greeks who is so recognized abroad. He has associated his name with three Oscar nominations, for the unforgettable film “Zorbas”, where Anthony Quinn, with the help of Kakogiannis, they showed the Greek greatness in all its spectrum. Also, we can't not mention the movies “Electra”, “Stella” and “Iphigenia”.
The 2011 was also stigmatized by the death of Nikos Papazoglou, of a low-key artist. But his death deeply moved the Greeks. He started his career in the 60's going through Olympians and Zealot. He collaborated for many years with Dionysis Savvopoulos, Manoli Rasouli and Nikos Xydakis. He became widely known with Manolis Rasouli's record, “The revenge of the cast”. We will be humming some of his songs for many years to come, like him “August” and “I am not a poet”.
A month ago, Manolis Rasoulis also traveled to the land of angels. Lyricist, author, singer, composer, journalist or simply, servant of culture, until the last moment. His verses have been set to music, including, Manos Loizos, Stavros Kouyoumtzis, Nikos Xydakis, Petros Vagiopoulos, Socrates Malamas and Christos Nikolopoulos.
The author of the work of the same name is now located in the Angelo neighborhood, Iakovos Kampanelis, our great playwright and journalist. Other known works of his, mainly for the theater, “Seventh day of creation”, “The Court of Miracles”, “A tale without a name”, ” Viva Aspasia”, “Odysseus returned home”, “Colony of the punished” and “Our big circus”.His works have been translated and performed in England, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Sweden.
The writer and politician Nikos Themelis in age 64 years, after a long battle with cancer, left a great void in Greek culture. He wrote several novels ("The Search" 1998, "The Upheaval" 2000, "The Flash" 2003, "For a fellowship among us" 2005, “A life, two lives" 2007, "The truths of others" 2008 and "Dream Deal" 2010), with references to Hellenism of the last three centuries.
The area of ​​culture is huge and of course the Word Processor or Andreas Marnezos as he is known could not be missing from it. In fact, he was the one who brought the fashion of piercing and tattoos to our country. But he became known for his songs in the rap field. He was also a hip hop producer, founder of the Greek underground hip hop group called BarCodeCrew (BCC).
Recently “he left” from the life of Loukia Rikaki. She was in charge of educational programs of the IYF International Youth Federation. She has taught in executive education programs at the Council of Europe's European Youth Center and has been coordinator of the Council of Europe's research program on audiovisuals in education., the 1990. She was a member of the European Youth Forum education committee and was in charge of cinema in teacher seminars of the MELINA program 2000. Documentary is her great passion.
Because it is not possible to mention in detail the careers of all the great Greeks of our culture “they left” the 2011, each is briefly mentioned, in his capacity.
Yannis Karamitsopoulos (poet and publisher), Yannis Karabesinis (folk songwriter and bouzouki master), Akis Cleanthus (former Minister of Education and Culture of Cyprus), Spyros Alamanos (painter, engraver, graphic designer and photographer), Yannis Varveris (poet, critic, essayist and translator), Takis Varvitsiotis (poet), Alexandros Yotis (chef, tastemaker and writer), Anna Gertsou-Sarri (writer and translator), Markos N. Dragoumi (writer and politician), Anthi Zaharatou (speaker and actor), Kate Lampropoulou (actor), Yannis Lambrou (director), Vangelis Livadas (theatrical entrepreneur), Lykourgos Kallergis (actor, director, drama teacher, stylist – translator and MP), Kostas Balafas (photographer), Theoni Vahliotis-Aldridge (Oscar-winning costume designer), Christos Tsagas (actor), John Modinos (baritone – musical), Stratos Kamenidis (composer), Yannis Vasilopoulos (musical – clarinetist), Dimitris Katsaganis (poet), Nikos Alexiou (imaginative ), Vlasis Kaniaris (imaginative), George Perros (painter), Dimitris Laletas (painter), Tasos Zografos (painter and scenographer), Tonia Nikolaidis (engraver and painter), Monica Vassiliou (actor and director), Stavros Zoras (singer), Sarantis Karavouzis (imaginative – painter), Sophia Filtisi (author), Manos Loukakis (poet and critic), Ioannis Daglis (maintainer – imaginative), Vassilis Platanos (journalist, folklorist, author), Takis Varlamos (dancer and choreographer), Anthi Zaharatou (speaker and actor), Kostas Zacharakis (actor), Efi Metaggitsinou (actor), Spyros Alamanos (painter, engraver, graphic designer and photographer), Konstantinos Kavarnos (professor and author), Vasilis Andreopoulos (actor and writer), Nikos Minardos (actor), Pepi Svoronu (painter), Pavlos Tassios (director), Diana Antonakatu (painter), Thanasis Fabas (painter), Marios Leousis – Lesini (magician), Chrysanthos Kyprianou (philologist, educational, author and folklorist), Angel Skordilis (musical, singer), Sasha Kritsi (actor), Dinos Katsouridis (director, editor and cinematographer).
Source : protothema.gr
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"Final titles" for Loukia Rikakis…

He passed away, in age 50 years, the Greek director, Loukia Rikakis, who had been suffering from health problems for a long time. The funeral will take place on Friday. She herself had requested that there be no wreaths, but donations.

Loukia Rikaki was born in 1961 in Piraeus.

• Studied Art History, Cinema, Graphic Arts and Photography at Dartington College of Arts in England.

• Worked at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and the Danish Ministry of the Environment as a training program manager.

• The 1982 returned to Greece and founded the company ORAMA FILMS one of the established production companies of theatrical performances and quality films for cinema and television and 2000 founded the company TRICKY TRICK FILMS.

• The 1996 founded them 2 theatrical scenes of the "Theater 104 – Speech and Art Center" and the Greek Comedy Club in Aiolou 48-50.

Loukia Rikakis taught actors at the "Workshop" of Vassilis Diamantopoulos and at Christies seminars in Greece.

She was in charge of educational programs of the IYF International Youth Federation. She has taught in executive education programs at the Council of Europe's European Youth Center and has been coordinator of the Council of Europe's research program on audiovisuals in education., the 1990.

She was a member of the European Youth Forum education committee and was in charge of cinema in teacher seminars of the MELINA program 2000.

See her extensive work in detail:

K i n i m a t o g r a f o s

Direction – feature films

2010 YOU ARE MY MIRROR in production
2007 YOU HURT MY HEART spinal tape, 4 directors
2000 TAINIA COMEDY SHOWS www.standupcomedy.gr
1998 SYMPHONIA XAPAKTHPÓN Worldfest Houston Bronze Award
1994 KOYAPTETO ΣE 4 KINHΣEIΣ – 2 state awards
1990 TAΞIΔI ΣTHN AYΣTPAΛIA

Documentary – Long length

2009 ACCEPTANCE… WHICH WIND BROUGHT US HERE;
2009 THE CHILDREN OF THE CHORUS
2007 I HAD TO LEAVE
2006 The COMMON What we have in common
2004 THE OTHER
2003 THE AEGEAN THROUGH THE SPEECH OF THE LATER AGOON Award- YΠΠO
2003 NYXTES COMEDY No2 – No 3 -No 4
2002 TA LOGIA THS SIOPHS – Kalamata Festival Best Descriptive Documentary Award – Scientific Film Festival Award Hungary www.wordsofsilence.gr
2003 Prize Festival of Scientific Film Hungary 2003 www.wordsofsilence.gr
1990 ΣTA IXNH TΩN APΓONAYTΩN 60′

Movies – Short Length

2007 AT YOUR SOLE DISCRETION
2006 THE STUDENTS
2002 ΠAPAΘYPO XPONOY
2000 TΩPA ΠIA TAΞIΔEYOYME – B’ Microcinema Award
1998 AΓKAΛIAZΩ TO ΔENTPO – Lille festival first Prize
1999 ANOIΞE MY OPTA
1983 THESSALONIKES
1981 THE PEPIPATOS THS SOYZY

Ntokymander – Short Length

2008 SMALL MOVES THAT WORTH IT
2000 FAKE PATCHES 30'
1989 MAPIA ΦAPANTOYPH ΛEO MΠPOOYEP 30′
1993 O ΘHΣAYPOΣ TOY ΠPIAMOY 30’
1992 THE XOPOS TON 20th CENTURY 55′
1992 ΠPEΛΛOYΔIO ΣTHN AΦPIKH
1993 APXAIO ΔPAMA SYXPONES OPTICS 55′
1986 TO TAΞIΔI TOY ΔIONYΣOY 60′
1987 TO MONOPATI ΣTHN INDIA 14'
1988 BAKXEΣ 80′
1992 KALLITEXNES AND POLITICOI APXITEKTONES THS NEAS EYPOPHS 60′
1991 HΛEKTPONIKH EIKONA – Documentary about the Ferrara 30 Festival′
1985 TO ΦEΣTIBAΛ TOY ΛOKAPNO 55′

Theater

1995 Pasolini's OPΓIA – Adapted-directed at the Elyze Theatre
1996 SOYPEAPLEASE – Original work, writing-directing, at the Fournos Theatre
1997 MOYΣIKH ΔYO – Of M.Ntyra, translation-direction, in the Theatre 104
1998 THE BLOSSOM OF THE SEA – Original work, writing-directing, Theater 104
1998 ODYSSEY'S DIALOGUES – Original work, adaptation-direction, at the Concert Hall
1995-2003 COMEDY NEWSLETTERS , in the Theatre 104 and at the Comedy Club – http://www.standupcomedy.gr/ ,

TV – Production for television of the following series on art and direction in individual sections of the series.

2003-2005 100% COMEDY Star Channel comedy show
1996 ZAΠ 13 episodes X30’ ET1
1995 AΛHΘINEΣ IΣTOPIEΣ 13 episodes X90’ ET2
1993 NTOKΙMANTΕP ΣOK 26 episodes X 90' SKAI
1993 ΣTH ΦAPMA TΩN ANΘPΩΠΩN 26 episodes X 90' SKAI
1992 PSHFIDOTO Cultural TV magazine 43 episodes X 30’ ET2
1992 DANCE PLUS Contemporary Greek dancers and choreographers 45' ET2
1991 TRAVEL ART Art travels ,the art of travel 60 X 5' ET2
1993 92,9 European TV magazine for young people ET1
1992 ΣTHN TPELLA THS DIAFHMIΣHS with Giorgos Veltsos 26 X 30’ ET1
1993 MAGEIPIKH TEXNH 26 X 30’ ET1
1994 52 Cultural TV magazine 12 X 52’ ΣKAI
1992 Greek artists in Sweden E.T.1 60'
1994 How are the kids? 6 X 30’ ET1
1993 The Royal Ballets of Flanders 120' E.T.1
1990 Sakis Soudoulidis 30' ET1
1991 Images of Violence and War in the Mediterranean Theater 6 X 30’
1995 Film magazine for the German channel 30' WDR
1995 IN THE MONOPATIA OF TPAGOYDION for the Aborigines 30' RTP
1995 ENA FESTIVAL AT PEPITHOPIO 30' in Australia
1985-1987 Weekly show XPOMATA E.T.1 72 episodes X 60'
1995 ELLHNES ΣTHN AYSTPALIA television series 4 episodes
1989 GIOPGOS KOSTAKHS documentary 30' ET1
1990 SEPGEI PAPATZANOV Art Channel Netherlands,30’ SVT Sweden
1983 HXOXPÓMA Weekly show about rock music 13 X30' E.T.2
1982 HERE KAI ΣHMEPA ANOIXTA XAPTIA E.T. production assistant

Source : protothema.gr
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“The Magic Violin”: Opera for children too

The children's opera of Nikos Xanthoulis "The Magic Violin", comes to the National Opera to enchant young and old alike8 January 2012.
A musical fairy tale about the power of music and true love that will impress children's souls. A comparative story that brings the message of optimism and joy, even in the most difficult conditions.
Composer Nikos Xanthoulis wrote music with the aim of appealing to all ages and especially to "young ears", while Marivita Grammatikaki inspired the libretto, from a personal experience: A gray day with dark thoughts of bankruptcy, crisis, loss a busker passed in front of her playing the violin. This was the reason for writing this work.
The director of the show Lena Georgiadou notes: "This is a 'fairytale' story", structured with the characteristics of a tragedy, where everyone, "good" and "bad" do not obey traditional conventions, where the past and the future, logic and imagination, they cease to be treated as contradictory, and all together act as a poetic depiction of a world so old, as well as today's.
The story

Once, in a gray state,  there lived a king who hated beauty, colors and songs and forbade all citizens to sing and rejoice. He even imprisoned his daughter for singing one day when she was enchanted by a gypsy's violin, who accidentally entered the state. The king was frightened as soon as he heard the song and ordered to imprison all those who sang along with the gypsy, as well as to throw away his violin. Only one madman stayed out of prison and hid the violin.

The king now lives alone, companionship with the madman of the state. Hearing the violin awakens memories that fill him with sadness. It wasn't always like that. The death of his beloved queen filled him with pain. For the first time he reveals that he is afraid of pain. He believes that he who is not happy is not sad, therefore it does not hurt.
But the words of the madman and the music of the magic violin, the queen's gift to the gypsy, they awakened the goodness he had buried within him. The Apparition of the Queen and the Magical Tunes of the Violin, solve the magic. That's how everything changed.

Note by composer Nikos Xanthoulis
I loved Asterix since I was little. At first I was fascinated by the images, later the stories and when I was older I was crazy about his humor. When I found that a work of art can speak to both children and adults, I was captivated by the idea that I could do something like that with music. But the problem is always the text. "Give me a good libretto and I will find the music" said Verdi.

The opportunity came with the libretto competition for a musical fairy tale that we co-organized in the Educational Programs of the National Opera together with the National Book Center in November 2010. My good friend Marivita Grammatikaki made with a few sentences a draft of a fairy tale entitled The Magic Violin on which young students from all over Greece would compete in writing a libretto. The competition was held and the first prize was won by a student from Thessaloniki, Raphael Ketsetsidis. Joseph Vallet composed the work that was presented with great success at the 2nd Student Opera Festival, which was organized some months later.

Some time later, the European Organization OPERA EUROPA organized the European Opera Days in cooperation with most of the opera theaters of Europe [European Opera Days] at 7 and 8 of May 2011 titled "Young Ears" [Young Ears]. The translation of the theme was not accidental. People of any age who are open to new hearings have "young ears".. The National Opera House asked me to compose a work for all ages, a project that can be approached by an adult, but also a young viewer. I chose the Magic Violin without a second thought. I got lucky with Marivita Grammatikaki's libretto. We worked with great joy with all partners and with the people of the National Opera to be by our side in all difficulties. But the most beautiful thing... is to see the children's smiles after the show.

Composition and music direction Nikos Xanthoulis
Author – Lyricist Marivita Grammatikakis
Directed by Lena Georgiadou
Sets – Costumes Chrysanthi Psaropoulos
Lighting by Ioannis Pantelias
Choreography – Kinesiology Themistocles Pavlis
Direction of children's choir Rozi Mastrosavva
Horace (King) Alexandros Stavrakakis – George Roupas
Procas (Sneak) Pavlos Maropoulos – Zafeiris Koutelieris
Ed (Crazy) Panagiotis Athanasopoulos – Kostis Rasidakis
Rosa (Princess) Artemis Bogri – Gina Foteinopoulou
Amir (Romany) Nikos Stefanou – Thanasis Evangelou
Evita Hassapoglou dances
Members of the Children's Stage Orchestra of E.L.S. and the ROSARTE children's choir
 Source : culturenow.gr