Lukas Karytinos presents the programme of the new artistic period 2026-2027

Spring all year round, Spring every year
Greeting from the Artistic Director

Dear friends of the Athens State Orchestra,
It’s with a great pleasure that I welcome you to our new artistic season (2026-2027), once again under a motto that has defined us in recent years, reflecting the vitality, flourishing spirit, and freshness of our presence.in the field of music: “Spring all the year round"; a constant renewal-our own, lasting Spring, embraced by all of you, through your steady presence at our concerts.
At the beginning of my third mandate at the helm of the Athens State Orchestra, I would like to warmly thank the entire Orchestra family for their enduring trust and devotion to our mission; for all that we have been sharing for the last six years. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Culture and the Minister, Mrs. Lina Mendoni herself, for their unwavering material and moral support for our work, thanks to which this lasting spring was brought to life.
This year, we have designed a fascinating program with a broad symphonic repertoire, featuring conductors and soloists from all over the world; a program responding to all our audience’s preferences and at the same time appealing to new friends, as our aim has always been.
Among the season’s major productions, are Ludwig van Behetoven’s famous Symphony no. 9, performed on the 200th anniversary of the great composer’s death; Anton Bruckner’s Symphony no. 7, one of the absolute pinnacles of the repertoire; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s unsurpassed Requiem. Our hallmark, “Journeys to the centre of Music” shall keep responding to the audience’s enduring interest, expressed every year in crowded concert halls; in the same spirit, “Late Night with the Athens State Orchestra shall be held for the second consecutive year, with a different repertoire for our “night owl” friends. “Spectrum- The Orchestra and its Musicians” is a new music-theatre entry in our program, featuring new artists and dedicated to the musicians’ role across the centuries. Furthermore, in 2026-2027, the Athens State Orchestra returns to perform at the Piraeus Municipal Theatre and, of course, at the “Musical Promenades”, which for years have been bringing chamber music to key city museums.
We are also very proud to announce that, at the beginning of the season, our Orchestra performs at one of the most historic European concert halls, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. In addition, pursuant to our aim to bring music closer to all, within the artistic season the Athens State Orchestra shall travel throughout the country, presenting programs designed to gain old and new audiences.
“Spring all the year round”, spring every year. A spring enjoyed together with all of you, our audience, our friends, whom I warmly thank for everything you share with us.

With sincere appreciation and gratitude,

Lukas Karytinos