Greek National Opera

What I can see

The history of the National Opera begins in the 19th century and the history of Greek melodrama even earlier. After the war, however, its growth was enormous, apart from the period of the military dictatorship (1967-1974). Its performances were not limited to the Olympia Theatre, which was its home for many decades, but were also staged in the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Epidaurus and other parts of Greece. With the dawn of the 21st century, the National Opera implemented a very extroverted policy with an expanded repertoire and international collaborations, as is still the case today. Operas, operettas, ballets, operas for children, experimental projects, charities and a professional dance school is the range of its activities. Today, it is housed in the state-of-the-art facilities of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre. Big productions are staged in the 1250-seat main hall, which features state-of-the-art technology, excellent acoustics and contemporary design.

What I can't see

The melodramatic art had already developed since the 18th century in the Ionian Islands and it had become popular in Athens since the end of the 19th century, thanks to a private troupe. Initially, the troupe was housed in the Royal (now National) Theatre and the first opera it staged was Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. Maria Kalogeropoulou (Callas) also started from this troupe performing Tosca, Fidelio and many more. After World War II, the troupe became the autonomous National Opera and was housed in the old Olympia Theatre and then in the new Olympia Theatre, where it remained until 2017. The National Opera was founded on the initiative of the writer, journalist, director of the Royal Theatre and Director of Letters and Arts of the Metaxas dictatorship, Kostis Bastias.

Info

• Address: SNFCC
• Postal Code : 17674
• Phone: +30 2130885700
• E-mail: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.nationalopera.gr

Bibliography