2023 06 29 Athens Festival

Giuseppe Verdi: The best-loved Requiem Co-production of the Athens State Orchestra and the Athens Epidaurus Festival

Thu. 29 June 2023 21:00

Odeon of Herodes Atticus

Giuseppe Verdi’s awe-inspiring Requiem is one of the most popular symphonic/choral works of all time. In addition to its emotionally moving musical power, what also sets it apart is its anthropocentric dimension. Verdi neither attempted to bolster faith nor stir up fear about the Judgement Day or foster hope for eternal rest. Confronted with the tragic fact of death, he wanted his music to celebrate Humans, their awe in the face of the unknown, their stance towards God, oscillating between faith and doubt. Deeply emotional, the music focuses on and expresses the mystery of the fleeting human existence, making Requiem one of the most invaluable works of the world music canon.

This year, the Athens State Orchestra celebrates the 80 years since its founding with this legendary work, under the baton of its chief conductor Lukas Karytinos. Audiences will have the opportunity to enjoy bass Alexandros Stavrakakis, the only Greek opera singer to have won First Prize at the International Tchaikovsky Competition,  internationally acknowledged Greek soprano Myrtò Papathanasiu, imposing Tunisian mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb and famous Grammy-nominated English-American tenor Barry Banks.

Event Programme

GIUSEPPE VERDI

(1813-1901)

Messa da Requiem (in memoriam of Alessandro Manzoni)

Event Programme

Featuring

CONDUCTOR

Lukas Karytinos

SOLOISTS

Myrtò Papatanasiu, soprano

Rihab Chaieb, mezzo soprano

Barry Banks, tenor

Alexandros Stavrakakis, bass

PARTICIPATIONS

The Greek Radio Choir, conducted by Mihalis Papetrou
The Athens City Choir, conducted by Stavros Beris
The Sofia Amadeus Choir, conducted by Svilen Simeonov

Ioanna Vlagkouli, conductor assistant

Featuring

CONDUCTOR

Lukas Karytinos

SOLOIST

Myrtò Papatanasiu, soprano

Rihab Chaieb, mezzo soprano

Barry Banks, tenor

Alexandros Stavrakakis, bass

PARTICIPATIONS

The Greek Radio Choir, conducted by Mihalis Papetrou
The Athens City Choir, conducted by Stavros Beris
The Sofia Amadeus Choir, conducted by Svilen Simeonov

Ioanna Vlagkouli, conductor assistant

Upcoming Concerts

Symphonic Concerts

Echoes of war: Mahler and Korngold

Fri. 31 October 2025, 20:30

Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall
Christos Lambrakis Hall

Chamber Music Concerts

Tribute to Panagiotis Stefos

Mon. 03 November 2025, 20:30

Parnassos Literary Society

Symphonic Concerts

Late night with the Athens State Orchestra

Fri. 07 November 2025, 22:00

Megaron – The Athens Concert Hall
Christos Lambrakis Hall

Chamber Music Concerts

From Poetry to Music…

Mon. 10 November 2025, 19:00

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF GREECE
Book Castle, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center