Description

The Greek National Opera tribute programme marking the centennial anniversary of Maria Callas’ birth reached new heights with a major opera gala titled Callas at the Herodium, given at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on 16 September 2023. Four acclaimed sopranos of global standing –Anna Pirozzi, Catherine Foster, Vassiliki Karayanni, and the rising Greek coloratura soprano, Nina Koufochristou.Nina Koufochristou–  performed arias that Callas herself seared into the consciousness through the renditions she offered up as part of her historic appearances at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in 1944 and 1957. The Orchestra of the Greek National Opera was conducted by Philippe Auguin. The GNO Maria Callas tribute programme is sponsored by the PPC (Public Power Corporation). This tribute programme is made possible by a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) [www.SNF.org] to enhance the GNO’s artistic outreach.

Maria Callas’ performance career in Greece intersects with the Odeon of Herodes Atticus across two separate eras. In July 1944, one year before she left Athens for New York, Maria Kalogeropoulou would perform the role of Smaragda in the Manolis Kalomiris opera The Masterbuilder at the venue, conducted by the composer himself and directed by Sokratis Karantinos; days later, in August 1944, she would also play Leonora there in Beethoven’s Fidelio, conducted by Hans Hörner and directed by Oscar Wallek. A full thirteen years later, in 1957, and having since conquered the world, Maria Meneghini-Callas would return to the Odeon of Herodes Atticus to give an historic recital at the Athens Festival, featuring arias from Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, Giuseppe Verdi’s La forza del destino and Il trovatore, Gaetano Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, and Ambroise Thomas’ Hamlet, conducted by Antonino Votto.

On 16 September 2023, the anniversary of Maria Callas’ death, this precise repertoire was presented at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus by the Greek National Opera as part of its 2023 tribute gala titled Callas at the Herodium. Four internationally-renowned leading lights of the opera world payed tribute to Maria Callas, performed arias from operas by Kalomiris, Beethoven, Wagner, Verdi, Donizetti, and Thomas that she herself performed at that very Roman venue, making full use of her remarkable vocal range and singular virtuoso abilities to leave a mark that has never been surpassed. Appearing were the great Italian dramatic soprano Anna Pirozzi, who triumphed in her recent debut in the title role of Cherubini’s Medea at the GNO; the dramatic soprano –and Bayreuth Festival darling– Catherine Foster; the internationally acclaimed Greek coloratura soprano Vassiliki Karayanni; and the highly sought-after Armenian coloratura soprano Nina Koufochristou. Conducted by the great French maestro Philippe Auguin.

At a glance – Synopsis

GALA PROGRAMME

Manolis Kalomiris, The Masterbuilder

— Overture

— “The sun, the sun”

Smaragda’s aria from Part II – Vassiliki Karayanni

Ludwig van Beethoven, Fidelio

— Overture

— “Abscheulicher! Wo eilst du hin? … Komm, Hoffnung” / “Monster! Where are you hurrying? … Come, hope”

Leonore’s recitative and aria from Act I – Catherine Foster

Ambroise Thomas, Hamlet

— “À vos jeux, mes amis” / “To your games, my friends”

Ophélie’s “mad scene” from Act IV – Nina Koufochristou

Giuseppe Verdi, La forza del destino

— Overture

— “Pace, pace, mio Dio” / “Peace, peace, my God”

Leonora’s aria from Act IV – Anna Pirozzi

Gaetano Donizetti, Lucia di Lammermoor

— “Regnava nel silenzio” / “Reigning in the silence”

Lucia’s aria from Act I – Vassiliki Karayanni

Giuseppe Verdi, Il trovatore

— “D’amor sull’ali rosee” / “On the rosy wings of love”

Leonora’s aria from Part IV – Anna Pirozzi

Richard Wagner, Tristan und Isolde

— Prelude and Isolde’s “Liebestod” – Catherine Foster

Creative team – Cast

Conductor: Philippe Auguin

Soloists: Anna Pirozzi, Catherine Foster, Vassiliki Karayanni, Nina Koufochristou

With the Orchestra of the Greek National Opera

Photos & videos

Photos