Archives

16 Posts
archive-post-image
I Told You I Was Sick: Greek National Opera’s La Traviata
In homage to director and designer Nikos S. Petropoulos, Greek National Opera did a revival of his 2001 La Traviata, first given at the Olympic Theatre. The design was Over The Top in the best possible way, with the first
Read more
archive-post-image
Medea: Greek National Opera at Epidaurus
Luigi Cherubini‘s Medea was a vehicle for Maria Callas – she brought back Cherubini’s long-forgotten score and made it her triumph. The French-language Médée, had received its premiere in Paris at the Théâtre Feydeau on 13 March 1797. Its opening
Read more
archive-post-image
The Insecurity of Love: Carmen 1875
Georges Bizet (1838–1875) never had the success he wanted in his lifetime. He had two hits in the operas Les pêcheurs de perles and La jolie fille de Perth, but both operas came in for criticism. The Pearl Fishers for
Read more
archive-post-image
The Deconstructed Opera: Anna Bolena at the Greek National Opera
Gaetano Donizetti’s setting of the final days of Henry VIII’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, as Anna Bolena, is a story of love and hate, loyalty and lies, and, ultimately, one woman’s death so another can take her place. In today’s
Read more
archive-post-image
The Opera with the Body Count: GNO’s Tosca
As an homage to their long-time designer Nikos S. Petropoulos, Greek National Opera staged a revival of his 1998 Tosca. Set in 1944 Rome, the opera opened as if it were a film, with the opening credits running on a
Read more
archive-post-image
2025 International Opera Awards
Between Ceremony and Contemporary Urgency
Award shows have long perfected the art of preaching to the converted. Year after year, they gather the most devoted insiders to celebrate their achievements, affirm shared values, and rehearse familiar narratives about excellence, innovation, or social responsibility. The result
Read more
archive-post-image
The Wide World of Opera: The International Opera Awards 2025
Greek National Opera, housed at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, was host to the 2025 International Opera Awards in November. What was wonderful was its overview of the entire world of opera – not only in Europe but also
Read more
archive-post-image
Consumed by Jealousy: GNO’s La Gioconda
Created as a three-part collaboration between the Salzburg Easter Festival, the Royal Opera House in London, and Greek National Opera, director Oliver Mears moves the setting from the unknowable past to the current day. The costumes, by Annemarie Woods, are
Read more