With the bar being set even higher for the artistic season 2025/26, h National Opera presents as an opening production the “Gioconda» by Amilcare Ponchielli, a new, international co-production with the Salzburg Easter Festival and London’s Royal Opera House.

A few hours before the long-awaited premiere of “Gioconda”, APE-MPE was at the rehearsals and spoke with Covent Garden’s artistic director and director of the show, Oliver Mears, the internationally renowned mezzo-soprano, Anita Ratchvelisvili and the renowned bassist, Tassos Apostolos.

Miers: Talent will always keep opera alive

Oliver Mears, artistic director of London’s Royal Opera House since 2017, is one of the most sought-after opera directors in Europe. His “Gioconda” unfolds in the Venice of today, however his direction is consistent in the spirit of the work and has as its compass Victor Hugo’s work “Angel, tyrant of Padua”, which also formed the basis for the premise of the opera.

“I wanted to give the plot depth and the characters intent. To do something that is at the same time direct, enthusiastic and immediate”, said Mr. Miers to APE-BPE. As he explained, he has also been influenced by the universe of the Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, and in particular by the way he, as he said, combines in his works a contemporary and modern sense with classic, Italian architecture. “It was a very interesting point for me to explore the project,” he said.

As for the future of opera, he is clearly optimistic that there is a way for it to continue to exist, despite the challenges. “Talent is what will always keep opera alive,” he pointed out.

“It is true that, in Germany and Austria especially, the public has turned away from opera of late, as the tendency in productions is to incorporate ideas more than emotions and to sideline aesthetics,” he admitted, but he added: “Opera, however, always manages to be renewed, replenished and revitalized by the great talents of each age—whether they are composers or directors, whether they are singers—who have the energy, inspiration and ideas to revive old works or create new ones.”

His own “recipe”? “For me, it’s important to create a work that has life, exquisite design, a clear story, that illuminates some aspect of the work and that you don’t need a PhD to understand. A riveting drama for the audience,” he said. In addition, he noted that close and good communication between conductors and directors is what will always bring the best possible result.

Apostolou: Lyriki “converses” equally with the great lyrical theaters

The importance of good communication and cooperation between the contributors was also underlined by Tasos Apostolou, bassist of Lyrika, with a long and successful career in Greece and abroad. At the same time, he emphasized the importance of the collaborations that ELLS has developed in recent years with opera theaters and festivals abroad.

“It is very important, in my opinion, that it opens a window to the outside and the Lyriki, using its own strengths in all areas — from costume designers and stage designers to directors and singers — shows that it is at a good level and is treated equally with large lyric theaters abroad,” Mr. Apostolou told APE-MPE.

“Such collaborations make Lyriki known abroad and give the opportunity to see its work, which is important,” he emphasized.

As for the specific production, Mr. Apostolou singled out the directness of the direction, as “whatever he wants to say, he shows it”, which, especially in the highly dramatic parts of the opera, creates many strong moments for the audience.

Ratchvellisvili: “A nice, new beginning”

After all, it is not by chance that “Gioconda” is considered one of the leading grand operas of the repertoire. Apart from the big roles, there are also smaller ones, but they are equally important for the development of the plot. One such role is that of Blind – Cieca (Czech) in Italian – performed by one of the most famous lyrical singers in the world, the mezzo-soprano Anita Ratchvelisvili.

“It’s a role that is at the center of the plot. Although small, he is very important for the work and, musically speaking, very beautiful”, said Mrs. Ratchvelisvili to APE-MPE, who did not hide her excitement, not only for the “very interesting approach” of the direction, but also for her participation in this particular production and her return to Athens.

“It’s beautiful to be a part of this particular production and I give my heart to this role. I love my colleagues at Lyriki very much and I love Athens and its audience,” said Mrs. Ratsvelisvili, who recently moved to the Greek capital with her family.

“It’s a nice, fresh start,” he said.

Her return and move to Athens also marks a smoother return to her lyrical profession, after the birth of her daughter. “Returning to my career has been challenging physically and psychologically,” she said, adding: “Now I feel ready vocally, but I still don’t want to go on stage without being sure of my performance level. That’s why I’m going step by step, with roles that are lower, relaxed and in no rush to return to my old repertoire.”

After all, as he said, the return to the career needs physical work, in addition to mental work. “Lyric singers are athletes. And as in any sports profession, we must know and fully understand our body in order to be ready to compete.”

The shows are sold out

The production of Amilcare Ponchielli’s opera, Gioconda, will be presented on October 19, 22, 25, 29 and November 1, 4, 7, 2025 at Hall Stavros Niarchos of the ELLS at SNFCCin a new international co-production of the National Opera with the Salzburg Easter Festival and the Royal Opera House in London.

The musical director will be Fabrizio Ventura, while the direction is signed by the Artistic Director of Covent Garden, Oliver Mears. In the main roles are the internationally recognized protagonists Anna Pirozzi, Alisa Kolosova, Tasos Apostolou, Anita Ratsvelisvili, Francesco Pio Galasso and Dimitris Platanias.

On October 25 and 29, 2025, the opera will be presented in conditions of universal accessibility.

Tickets for all Gioconda performances are already sold out.