An ambitious new production of Wagner, popular operas and operettas, the first opera ever staged at the Olympia Theatre by the Greek National Opera, a new identity at the GNO Ballet, leading Greek and international performers and the launch of the Opera on the Big Screen programme, as well as an extensive range of educational and social programmes, are key features of the transitional period 2016-2017 of the Greek National Opera.
Samaras’ opera Rhea which inaugurated the GNO’s presence at the Olympia Theatre in April 1944 will be presented in semi-staged format on the last evening of the company in this historical theatre, on 19 May 2017. An ambitious new production of Wagner’s Lohengrin is the artistic highlight of the season, while revivals of popular works (like La Traviata, the Barber of Seville and The Godchild / Vaftistikos) along with ballet works (Galaxy, Giselle and Landscapes / Topia), the new educational and social programmes and the Opera on the Big Screen programme make for a top class, diverse programme. Alongside outstanding Greek artists, this year’s programme features partnerships with world class figures from the fields of opera and ballet, such as choreographers Benjamin Millepied and Douglas Lee, director Anthony McDonald and singers such as Elena Mosuc, Peter Wedd, Jolana Fogašová.
In parallel with our productions, behind the stage the season which kicks off in a few days from now, is a major challenge for the Greek National Opera since during this season the massive task of relocating and testing the new facilities at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, will take place. Based on what we currently know about the progress in completing the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, the Greek National Opera is expected to relocate to its new home in January 2017 and trial period will last from March to August 2017.
Consequently, if there will be no more delays in delivering the new facilities to the SNFCC, the Greek National Opera will be able to present the trial productions at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre Main and Alternative Stage during a trial period starting in spring 2017.
Based on what we know so far regarding the progress in completing and delivering the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre, in December 2016 the Greek National Opera plans to announce the programme for the trial period (which will cover the period March to August 2017, based on current estimates) as well as the full programme for the 2017-2018 period for both the Main and Alternative Stage, which will be the first official artistic season at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre.
