“With Medea, Maria Callas showed us the best results. There are moments during the performance when, listening to the music of Medea’s part, I am deeply moved.” soprano Vasiliki Karagianni says “K”., one of the three Greek heroes of the long-awaited performance. OUR “Medea” The production by Luigi Cherubini, directed by Sir David McVicar and musically directed by Philippe Auguin, is a major collaboration between the National Opera and the Metropolitan Opera of New York, Chicago and Canada, which has attracted international interest. As far as our country is concerned, the ELLS tribute to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Maria Callas begins with this production, a tribute to the historical production of ELLS in the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus in 1961, in which the Greek diva was deified. starring.

Three Greek heroes – Mrs. Karagianni, who plays the role of Glauka, the interlocutor Nefeli Kotseli like Neris and bass baritone Giannis Giannisis how Creon, telling us about his experiences during intensive training, does not hide his admiration for “his” “Medea” and satisfaction from his participation in such a symbolic artistic action. “This is a very impressive production that has movement and action, but without exaggeration,” Ms. Caragianni comments when we ask her about her role. Glauces, the young daughter of Creon, king of Corinth, is about to become the first victim of Medea. But long before we get to the last act, from the very beginning, the rehearsal of her wedding dress, she cannot shake off the dark premonitions of this wedding, which she both desires and fears.

The word “Colchis”.

“The performance of Calla in the Medea from 1953 in Florence to 1961 in the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus is a guidebook for all of us,” says G. Giannisis.

Her future husband’s gift is a golden fleece, which he stole from Colchis with the help of Medea. At every word “Colchis” Glaucus trembles, and she has the most dramatic moment when, in a strong impulse, she confesses her horror to Jason and Creon. However, during her long aria, she calls on the god Eros to bless her union with Jason, and the phrase “No, Medea will not separate us” is followed by a virtuoso part that makes special demands on vocals. Ms. Caragianni decided to perform it in its entirety, as written by the composer, although this is often avoided by some sopranos.

“It is a great pleasure and honor for me to make my debut as Creon” says Mr Yannisis. “It’s a role with special demands from both a vocal and stage standpoint. McVicar’s direction is not static and requires precision in every movement of the singers through rigorous kinesiology.” He emphasizes that they worked in a very good atmosphere with the entire creative team, and it was a pleasure to work with such an excellent conductor as Philippe Augen. “Kalla’s interpretation of the Medea, from 1953 when she first sang it in Florence, to 1961 at the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, is a guide for all of us and an inspiration not only for us, but also for the next generations of artists.” , ends. mezzo Nefeli Kotseli has lived in Vienna since graduating from her music studies and came to Athens to play the role of Nerida, the healer of Medea. After two auditions in the summer, she will make her debut in Greece, and this is her first work in a production of this magnitude. “My role is not very big, but important. In addition, it is a great fortune for me to be next to Anna Pirozzi, who plays Medea, and watch how she works,” he explains. The direction requires that Nerida, like other roles, not be static. “I run, I kneel, I get up, but I need to keep my cool and be calm and aware in my performance,” she emphasizes. Faithful Neris is Medea’s closest person. He knows her strength and is afraid of her passion, he understands the danger that her anger will expose everyone, and therefore he tries to bring her to her senses so that they can avoid death. Even though she disagrees, she is willing to help her. “Wherever you go, I will faithfully follow you,” she sings, and these words explain her character.

“Medea”, premiere Tuesday, April 25, Stavros Niarchos Hall of the National Opera – SNFCC.