The Greek National Opera (GNO) will travel with its Orchestra to New York for the first time for a concert at Carnegie Hall featuring exceptional pieces by Greek composers, inspired by the work and figure of writer Nikos Kazantzakis.
At “An Odyssey in Music” on October 15, the Greek National Opera will present a magnificent panorama of Greek art music to the New York audience, featuring emblematic pieces by Manos Hadjidakis, Mikis Theodorakis, Nikos Skalkottas, Dimitri Mitropoulos, and Giorgos Koumendakis. This concert is made possible by a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) to enhance the Greek National Opera’s artistic outreach.
Ahead of the concert, GNO Artistic Director Giorgos Koumendakis said, “The Greek National Opera’s first major appearance in New York marks a significant step in its international outreach strategy…. I would like to thank the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and its Co-President, Andreas Dracopoulos, for standing by our side and supporting our global outreach efforts, from our early initiatives to this incredibly important step, which we could not have even imagined achieving without the assistance of the SNF grants.”
SNF Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos said, “The Greek National Opera’s performance at Carnegie Hall, one of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions, marks a significant milestone in the GNO’s history—one that also reflects longstanding support from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) aiming to enhance the GNO’s artistic outreach. The unique musical tribute they’ll perform, inspired by writer Nikos Kazantzakis and featuring emblematic Greek works, bears the evocative title ‘Odyssey,’ a deeply symbolic name that, to our ear, also evokes the GNO’s journey through time. This journey on which the GNO has embarked has taken it from Athens to far corners of the world—from Italy and Cyprus to China and South Africa, and now to New York. Its success is not down to favorable winds, but to the captain’s skill and the crew’s dedication. Our warmest congratulations go to Artistic Director Giorgos Koumendakis and everyone who contributes to the work of the GNO. We are confident that the audience will enjoy a captivating experience that will remain with them for a long time.”
