Cherubini's Medea is the first major co-production of the National Opera with three great American opera houses: the Metropolitan Opera of New York, the Opera of Canada and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Medea, directed by leading opera director David McVicar, which will open the Metropolitan's 2022/23 season, will be performed in April and May 2023 at the Stavros Niarchos Hall, as part of the National Opera's 100-year tribute since the birth of Maria Callas, while then he will travel to Montreal and Chicago. The production is implemented with the support of the donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) for the strengthening of the artistic extroversion of the Greek National Opera.

Forgotten for many decades, Italian composer Luigi Cherubini's Medea, which premiered in Paris in 1797, shone again when Maria Callas performed the title role for the first time in 1953 as part of the Florentine May Festival. The success was enormous, while, thanks to the rare musical and acting abilities of Callas, the musical world discovered a fascinating work, until then unfairly forgotten. Afterwards, the Greek diva performed Medea in many more operas, while in 1961 she starred in the historic production of the National Opera in the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus, directed by Alexis Minotis and sets and costumes by Yiannis Tsarouhis.

Cherubini, who lived most of his adult life in Paris contributing decisively to the musical life of the country, composed the opera to a French poetic text by François Benoit Offmann with dialogues in Alexandrine meter between the musical parts (arias, duets, choral .a.). The text was then translated into Italian by Carlo Zangarini and the dialogues were set to music by the German composer Franz Paul Lachner. In this form it was presented by Kallas and in this form it will now be presented by the Greek National Opera.

The rarely performed masterpiece of Cherubini, whose libretto is based on Euripides' Medea, will be presented in a monumental production – classical, atmospheric, contemporary, but also timeless – directed and set by Sir David McVicar, one of the leading British directors. Costumes by Doey Lüthi, lighting by Paule Constable, set design by S. Katy Tucker and kinesiology by Jo Meredith.

In the extremely demanding role of the title, a leading soprano of our time, the internationally renowned Anna Pirozzi, will make her debut.

Music director: Philippe Oguen
Director, sets: Sir David McVicar
Costumes: Doey Lüthi
Lighting: Poli Constable
Projection Design: S. Katie Tucker
Kinesiology: Joe Meredith
Choir director: Agathangelos Georgakatos

Anna Pirozzi makes her debut in the title role.

With the Orchestra, Choir and Soloists of the National Opera.

When:

2023, 25/04 - 2023, 9/05

APRIL 25, 2023 TUESDAY 19:30
APRIL 27, 2023 THURSDAY 19:30
APRIL 30, 2023 SUNDAY 18:30
MAY 2, 2023 TUESDAY 19:30
4 MAY 2023 THURSDAY 19:30
MAY 9, 2023 TUESDAY 19:30

Tickets:

Ticket prices: €15, €20, €35, €55, €60, €70, €80, €120
Student, child: €15
Limited visibility: €10