The masterpiece of the renovator of the opera, Christoph Willibald Gluck, “Iphigenia in Taurois” is presented at the Pallas Theater on March 18 and 19 by the Municipality of Athens organized by the Culture, Sports and Youth Organization of the Municipality of Athens (OPANDA), with an international production which was originally planned in Olympia, Municipal Music Theater “Maria Callas”*, under the artistic direction of Olivier Descotes, in the context of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the diva’s birth.

A cast of distinguished lyric artists, the National Symphony Orchestra of ERT and the Choir of the Municipality of Athens will present the opera marked by Maria Kallas’ performance, under the musical direction of the internationally renowned chief musician, Giorgos Petros and the directorial eye of Thanos Papakonstantinou.

With the sets and costumes of Niki Psychogiou, the ancient myth will come to life on the Pallas stage through Gluck’s dramatic music, which captures the special psyche of the drama’s characters. The students of the State School of Orchestral Art also participate in the performance.

The artistic director of Olympia, Municipal Music Theater “Maria Callas”, Olivier Descotes notes among others that: “Although Callas performed “Iphigenia en Taurois” for the one and only time at La Scala in Milan in 1957, this performance was nevertheless a brilliant moment in her career. In the context of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of her birth, we honor her with the preeminent Greek role that highlighted her as a tragedian and identified her with the masterpiece of the reformer Gluck.”

The internationally renowned chief musician, Giorgos Petrou adds that: “Iphigenia en Taurois” is Gluck’s greatest musical/dramatic achievement and an important legacy for future generations of composers. The density of its musical dramaturgy, deep inventiveness and deep emotional impact on the listener, inspired composers such as Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and even Wagner.’

Finally, director Thanos Papakonstantinou notes, among other things: “The opera begins with one of the most emblematic storm scenes in the world history of the genre. The entire drama of this tragedy is concentrated in this beginning: a storm that calms down. Indeed, in the stage narrative of our performance, all the individual pieces of the composition are led from turmoil to calm, from wildness to tameness, from the initial gloom to the final light: the alienated Iphigenia will recognize in the face of her near-victim, the brother of Orestes”.

*The Olympia Municipal Music Theater “Maria Callas” is currently under occupation. Spectators who have already purchased tickets with the Olympia Theater listed as the venue, can replace them with tickets of the same price to one of the two new shows at the Pallas Theater, or cancel them and receive a refund. To replace or return tickets, contact Ticket Services at 2107234567.

Tickets from 12 euros.

Musical direction: Giorgos Petrou

Directed by: Thanos Papakonstantinou

Sets / Costumes: Niki Psychogiou

Motion Design: Nanti Gogoulou

Lighting Design: Christina Thanasoulas

Choir teaching: Stavros Beris

Assistant conductor: Nikos Laaris

Assistant director: Konstantina Psoma

Musical preparation: Dimitris Yakas

Assistant stage designer-costume designer: Sofia Babanioti

Mask construction: Nikolas Tsoulis

Iphigenia: Soula Parasidis

Orestes: Philippe-Nicolas Martin

Pylades: Juan Francisco Gatell

Thoas: Yiannis Selitsaniotis

Artemis / First Priestess: Maria Novella Malfatti

A Greek woman / Second Priestess: Chrysanthi Spitadi

A Scythian / A Minister: Florent Leroux-Roche