"Prima Donna"-a symphonic visual concert
The first part of this very special show comprises of cinema, photography, opera as well as live performance. Wainwright presents a "visualized" version of his first opera Prima Donna, six years after its world premiere at the Manchester International Festival, with the help of two great artists: the visual artist - filmmaker Francesco Vezzoli and the renowned photographer Cindy Sherman.
Three lyric singers will perform excerpts from Prima Donna, along with screenings of a film containing images of the legendary Maria Callas. Francesco Vezzoli created this film specifically for this project, whereas the video projection reaches its peak when Cindy Sherman appears.
The opera Prima Donna is inspired by a series of interviews given by the unsurpassed opera diva Maria Callas, speaking for her role as a prima donna, the strength and the loneliness she hide.
During the second part of the concert, Rufus Wainwright will perform his own famous songs as well as a selection of his favorite songs.
Film director: FRANCESCO VEZZOLI
Special guest: CINDY SHERMAN
Libretto: Rufus Wainwright & Bernadette Colomine
Artistic Direction: Clo’e Floirat
With the participation of:
THE ATHENS STATE ORCHESTRA
conductor: Giorgos Petrou
Interpretation:
Regine Saint Laurent: Cellia Costea, soprano
Marie: Vassiliki Karayanni, soprano
Andre Letourneur: Antonio Figueroa tenor
Musical prepration: Dimitris Giakas
Technical Direction: Reinhard Bichsel
Lights: Emma Weil
Sound: Chris Sorem
Film production: Petite Maison Production [Tessa Louise-Salome & Solveig Rawas]
Translation: Dimitris Kosmidis
*Solists' dresses are a kind offer of Loukia.
Second part
With the participation of:
Nena Venetsanou, Michalis Hadjopoulos (guitar) and Dimitris Gouzios (cello)
The Film Music Of Alexandre Desplat
The Charm of the Voice I
Extracts from treasured operas and operettas by Carl Maria von Weber, Gaetano Donizetti, Giacomo Puccini, Nikos Hatziapostolou, Theophrastos Sakellaridis, Johann Strauss (son).
The Charm of the Voice II
Extracts from treasured operas and operettas by Carl Maria von Weber, Gaetano Donizetti, Giacomo Puccini, Nikos Hatziapostolou, Theophrastos Sakellaridis, Johann Strauss (son).
Axion Esti
The Athens State Orchestra and the Greek Festival are participating in the celebrations of Mikis Theodorakis’s 90th birthday (he was born on July 29, 1925) by presenting a concert performance of Axion Esti, one of the most emblematic works of poetry – by Odysseus Elytis, in this case – ever set to music and one of the great works of Greek musical heritage. Performing with the Athens State Orchestra as soloists are Dimitris Platanias (baritone), George Dalaras (vocalist), Akis Sakellariou (narrator) and the Choirs of the Municipality of Athens and the University of Athens. Loukas Karitinos will conduct.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity
Musical...novel (cancelled)
Due to the Referendum of the 5th of July, the concert had to be cancelled. The predicted absence of a certain number of our musicians that, in order to vote, needs to travel in various regions of Greece, turned the proper preparation of a concert with such a demanding repertoire almost impossible. We are counting on your understanding.
