"Romeo and Juliet" at the Concert Hall open the curtain of the summer program. There will be more to come 44 performances until July


"Trovatore" at the Herodeion and dance evenings in the shadow of the Acropolis include the summer program of the National Opera

Despite the difficult financial conditions, the "National Opera" is intensifying its outgoing course this summer. In the difficult economic situation, the only opera theater of our country responds with 45 performances - from small productions to operas at Herodeion- within a period of three months (May, June, July). Lyrika's summer program "is designed around four main axes: the new opera productions, ballet productions, educational programs and actions outside Athens", emphasized yesterday during his presentation the artistic director of ELS, Myron Michaelidis.
Two operas in Herodion. Verdi's Trovatore, one of the most popular works of the leading Italian author who has rightly been called "the archetypal romantic melodrama".

The production, which is traditionally included in the program of the Athens Festival, directed by the Italian Stefanos Ponta, a special artist with a visual eye, whose works are characterized by their aesthetic unity (10, 12, 13, 14/6). One of the most famous… opera thriller, "Tosca", Puccini's masterpiece, the ELLS summer program will be closed. The direction, he has taken over the sets and costumes, here, the internationally acclaimed Argentinian opera director Hugo De Ana (26, 27, 28, 29/7). With psychoanalysis as the main thematic element, the Modern Opera will premiere at the "Olympia" theater, the "European Music Day" (21/6). Three one-act plays will be presented in a single setting, two of which are by young Greek composers and resulted from the competition for "New Opera Work by a Greek Composer". Ballet performances begin tonight with "Romeo and Juliet", at the Concert Hall. Two evenings of dancing follow in the Roman Agora where, in the shadow of the Acropolis, the ELLS ballet will perform two choreographies by Renato Zanella on top of two of the most beautiful piano concertos ever written. This is the piano concerto no. 23 by Mozart and the "Imperial" piano concerto no. 5 of Beethoven (30/6 and /7).

The new choreographers of the ELS Ballet will present their choreographies at the "Olympia" theater (14 and 15/7). "Our important priority" is education, underlined Mr. Michailidis, before referring to the first phase of the new educational program "Opera interactively in Primary Schools", during which students will watch Rossini's The Barber of Seville (until its end 2013 production will visit 70 schools throughout Greece). A new and very important collaboration begins with the National Library, in view of the future co-housing at the "Stavros Niarchos" Foundation Cultural Center. It opens with the performance "Bohemian" by Valitsa Opera (27/5).

Ancient theaters

Lyriki aims to carry out actions in places outside of Athens. Its first major collaboration this year aims to highlight ancient theaters throughout Greece and is with the association "Diazoma". It will present shows in restored theaters, starting with Puccini's "Bohemian" at the Ancient Theater of Messina (6, 7/7) and in the Ancient Theater of Oiniades (13/7). The Ballet will present excerpts from this year's productions, , at the Aegean Festival (19, 20, 22/7).

Source : ethnos.gr

With creations by Selia Krithariotis, the ballet of the National Opera presents the eternal love story in a new choreography by Renato Zanella

"The story of Romeo and Juliet affects everyone and I wondered if something similar could happen today…I believe so!», says Renato Zanella

Julieta wears creations by Selia Krithariotis, in the famous balcony scene and beyond. It's a fact. The National Opera suggests an interesting partnership between the art of dance and haute couture (which is common in European theaters) in the production of "Romeo and Juliet", ballet in two acts by Sergei Prokofiev.
The ELLS ballet will present the eternal love story of Romeo and Juliet, in a new choreography by the choreographer and director of the ELS Ballet, Renato Janella, for five unique performances, Is the motto of the 16th Spare Parts Bazaar 9 until 13 May, at the Athens Concert Hall ("Alexandra Trianti" room). The choreography, which is a world premiere, takes us to the Verona of today, where the two families of the Montagues and the Capulets maintain their feud, which already lasts many generations.


"In the right place"
Zanella is inspired by the personality and dynamics of the ELS ballet dancers. The ELS orchestra is under the musical direction of Loukas Karytinos, she has designed the costumes - in her first collaboration with Lyriki- the fashion designer Celia Kritharioti, while the sets are by Constantinos Theofanis.

The Romeo and Juliet ballet is one of the most beloved of dance philology. "I decided to choreograph it because I feel like I'm in the right place at the right time to deal with it. I was inspired by the size and strong personality of the Lyric Ballet, as well as the determination with which he opens himself to new projects", notes Renato Zanella.

"Verona is the city in which I was born. Her story, the architecture, its colors and tradition make the visitor feel that time has never passed? especially if one walks around at night, with the dim lighting of its streets, it feels like going back in time. The story of Romeo and Juliet affects everyone and I wondered if something similar could happen today. Love is so powerful, so as to lead two young men to acts of such desperation, in order to defend the,what is more important to them; I believe so!».


There was fear of attacks
In its original form the ballet was based on an abridgement of Shakespeare's well-known play by Adrian Piotrowski and Sergei Radloff. Prokofiev completed the score on 1935 as an order of the Kirov Ballets of St. Petersburg. In the first version with a happy ending, the ballet was never performed, as there was fear of attacks from offensive articles echoing Stalin's thoughts in the Pravda newspaper. Such attacks were common against modernist artists. The ballet was premiered in a choreography by the Czech dancer and choreographer Ivan Psota, at 30 December 1938, in Brno, Czechoslovakia. However, the ballet became famous in the choreography of Leonid Lavrovsky, which was presented on 11 January 1940 from Kirov, with Galina Ulanova and Konstantin Sergeev. The most famous choreographies in the West remain those of John Cranko (1958) and Kenneth MacMillan (1965).


The third production
The masterpiece ballet "Romeo and Juliet" by Prokofiev, which was based on Shakespeare's play, is the third production of the ELS ballet in the artistic period 2011-12. After "Everybody Waltz", "Don Quixote" but also "Faust", ELS ballet dancers are invited to compete with one of the most demanding ballets of all time.

Source : ethnos.gr

3D tour of the ancient Macedonian kingdom, but also to 150 castles of Argolis, Arcadia and Corinthia

How would you feel if you could "walk" the streets of the ancient Macedonian capital, of Pella, or the Goats, where Philip flourished and where Alexander started; And even without having to leave your home;

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism ensured that this possibility would soon exist. Thanks to the digital program "Virtual Tour Network of the Ancient Macedonian Kingdom", prepared by the IZ Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities, and in the NSRF, in about two years this will be possible. Archaeological – digital "walks" from afar, guided tours via "smart" mobile devices up close, representations of ancient cities and monuments, as well as a wealth of information will include the work approved by the Central Archaeological Council.

It is an inspired and supplementary work of the digital museum about Alexander the Great, which is also constituted by the rector Angeliki Kottaridis. An experienced archaeologist, with special knowledge in the subject and love for the promotion of the ancient Macedonian kingdom.
"It is a permanent one, as well as a wasteful advertisement of our antiquities", the director of the Monuments Archive, Elena Kountouri, told the Central Archaeological Council. "It motivates the internet user to visit the sites, to see closely what passes through his screen".

The director of Prehistory – of Classical Antiquities Nicoletta Valakou noted that the program is extremely well documented and that it presents all the details of the monuments. The general secretary, Lina Mendoni, stated that it will function in addition to the works that have been done in the premises, in the monuments and museums of Central Macedonia. Another digital program was approved by KAS the day before yesterday. It is about "Digital accessibility and promotion of the castles of Argolis, of Arcadia and Corinthia", edited by the 25th Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities. It's about you 150 castles and fortified places.

The registrar Dimitris Athanasoulis explained that there will be a special application for portable digital devices
devices, but also pages for each castle and monument on facebook and other social networks. Other features of modern technology such as google will be used, flickr, wikipedia etc.
In both cases, 3D technology will be used and documentaries will be used.

Source : ethnos.gr

Relatives and friends will say goodbye to him on 2 at noon in A’ Cemetery

"Songs are the creation of composers and lyricists. The power rightfully belongs to them"
All of Greece "m’ a complaint' and 'm’ a bitter smile" says goodbye to Dimitris Mitropanos today, the irreplaceable pillar of popular song, the real man, the real man.
From the 10 in the morning his body is in the chapel of A’ Cemetery for those who wish to say goodbye, to thank him for what he offered, to leave him a flower, to show him that they considered him their man.

Unfortunately p’ this gathering, Mitropanos will be the protagonist, but he won't sing… How strange this all sounds; Because in the consciousness of every Greek, Bishop and song always go together. And so it will continue to be, even if its physical presence is lacking…
The funeral service will be sung at 2 at noon. The singer's family there, the relatives, friends will bid him farewell. A "goodbye" for a man who honored his name, his art but also his homeland, since through his Doric voice Greece traveled p’ the whole world. His family asks that instead of wreaths, the money be given to support the Solidarity Reception Center of the Homeless Foundation at the National Bank, to the account 064/48000015.


WHAT HE SAID ABOUT MUSIC
“I when I started, the songs were on the road"

Dimitris Mitropanos did not particularly like interviews. Especially those that are necessarily done in the context of the promotion of a job. For’ this and in his rare television appearances he was tight-lipped, sparing of words. Instead he particularly enjoyed conversations with people he felt he could relate to. There, he opened up and spoke from his heart, passionately stating his views without evasion. And of course Dimitris Mitropanos was always the right person to talk about Greek song, the past, its present and future. So we quote some statements he had made in his interviews.

"Here too 15 for years there are no songs because the creators are the ones who shut up. We have very good singers. But we don't have creators. Today's kids are miserable, because they are frantically searching to find good songs. Me when I started, the songs were on the road…».

"Songs are the creation of composers and lyricists. The power rightfully belongs to them. When the composers had the first say, clearly things were better for the Greek song. From one point on, the companies found it convenient to make us singers the absolute protagonists, we singers took the bait, without thinking that without a repertoire we are nothing…».

"Singing is a complex affair, wants company. This isolation now, that all children have a computer and sound system at home will never make a popular song. Folk song is not classical music, it needs a soul, pain and sharing. If you read stories how the ancients wrote, you will understand. They used to gather e.g. five or six, Papaioannou, Bithikotsis and they called it ”today we will go to Tsitsani”. And they went, were sitting, they were eating, they were drinking, they grabbed their bouzoukis and belted out melodies and verses. Now everyone lives alone. How to make the song;».

"Even nowadays, good songs are written and some of them will stand the test of time. Maybe less than’ The,what in past decades, but some will stay. Two decades ago we had the appearance of the songwriters who gave new blood and fire to our song and we owe them a lot. The Katsimiha afos, Lavrentis Machairitsas, Dionysis Tsaknis, Nikos Portokaloglou and other guys offered enough. When you're young, you hear many different things. Somewhere around your twenties you start to settle down. There in this phase you turn back, you search and discover. This is what life has shown us. Whether in foreign or Greek music, most young people at first hear byproducts. Good music is usually discovered later…».

"Reality shows and talent shows are made for people to watch and laugh. They go off on a limb and judge the singer's dress and how the singer shouldn't be short or fat or bald because he is, says, unsightly. Oops! First the voice and then we go for the rest. I didn't understand, so we must all be Russians; Okay Rouvas just happened to be what he is, and well done to him. Beyond here, what's going on…;».

Source : ethnos.gr

To the Chilean writer, Isabel Allende to be awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Prize for Literature, as announced by members of the municipal council of the city of Odense, Denmark.

"I am happy and proud that an important international writer will visit Odense in September once again", said Steen Moller, member of the municipal council.
"As the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, it is exciting to welcome a writer whose magical universe shares many characteristics with Andersen's genre", he added himself.

Andersen wrote some of the most famous children's fairy tales - The Ugly Grandpa, The little mermaid, The Emperor's New Clothes– from 1805 as the 1875.
The prize, which comes with a cash prize 500.000 crowns (90.000 dollars, about 67.000 euro) it is the most important in Denmark and is usually awarded to authors whose work is similar to Andersen's texts.
Allende, 69 years, has written the book The House of the Spirits, a film adaptation of which was directed by Dane Billy August.

Princess Mary of Denmark will present the award at the ceremony on September 30 and, as in previous ceremonies, a song composed especially for Allende will be performed live, according to the organizers.
The Chilean author will also be invited to a tour of the Hans Christian Andersen Museum and an event at the city's library.
The 2010 the prize had been awarded to Joan Rowling, the British creator of Harry Potter.

Source : ethnos.gr

100 Years Since His Birth

Lyrics from his poems will be projected on screens at 21 Of March, while a series of stamps and books dedicated to him will be published

I have already left my heart on earth / to knock alone. (That's what it is / the poetry). To be able to have it / the children in their sacks, to move her / the travelers. And the bitter ones / that ran out of sun, ν΄ακούν / his flame inside her. It is one of the verses of Nikiforos Vrettakos that will be shown on the subway screens, of the electric and tram at 21 Of March, for World Poetry Day.
The deeply humanistic poetry of Brettakos, his sensitivity and rage at injustice, they will meet today's Greek of bankruptcy and disappointment.
The 2012 has been declared the Year of Nikiforos Vrettakos, on the occasion of 100 years since his birth (1912, Crokes of Laconia), celebration coinciding with the 21 years since his death (1991).
One of the most important representatives of modern Greek literature, Brettakos connected his life and work with the spiritual, political and social quests of Hellenism in the second half of the 20th century.
Emotional, defender of justice, of freedom, of equality, of nature, he felt unable to put the wealth of the world into words. The man, he said, is "living water".

His work, awarded with many awards (State Prize for Poetry 1940, 1956 and 1982, Ourani Foundation Award, Excellence of the Academy of Athens, of which he became a regular member 1986 etc.), will be re-evaluated at a scientific conference they are planning for the 9-10 November the National Book Center and the Benaki Museum.
They will be discussed there, also, the meeting of poetry with ideology and history.
Vrettakos was a fighter for life and a fighter of the Left. He took part in the Greco-Italian war 1940-1941 and then to the National Resistance through the EAM. During the dictatorship, he exiled himself to Europe.
Events

The Year Nick. Vrettakou will be celebrated with various events of EKEVI, in collaboration with agencies and institutions, as with the Society of Writers, in an evening of poetry and music (21 Of March, Bacaro). The Sparta Public Library will also be actively involved, where by the desire of the poet himself and with the care of his son, director Kostas Vrettakou, his record has been given (6.000 books, personal items, 3.600 published poems, 4.000 manuscripts, 950 letters etc.). The Library plans interesting educational programs, while ELTA will issue a series of stamps dedicated to the poet.
EKEBI is planning yet another thematic stand, digitization of material from the N Archive. Brettakou, a mobile exhibition?tribute, support of translations of works by Mr.
also, three new editions for Nikiforos Vrettakos are expected within it 2012, a scrapbook of rare and anecdotal material, four volumes with notes and texts, as well as a selection from his correspondence (ed. River).

Source : ethnos.gr