The “upscale” portion of Athens’ summer entertainment is heating up this coming week, starting on Monday with a concert at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus at the foot of the Acropolis in honor of the celebrated Greek composer Mimis Plessas.
The 99-year-old composer, virtuoso pianist and conductor, who is possibly the most prolific creator of his generation, will be joined in the Roman-era amphitheater by a host of beloved performers and the ERT Contemporary Music Orchestra.
Plessas wrote melodies and songs that left an indelible mark on Greece’s “golden age” of cinema (1960s, early ‘70s) and theater, and also composed jazz, opera and classical works.
The Herodes Atticus, along with the incomparable ancient theater at Epidaurus, are the two long-time venues for the venerable Athens Festival, now called the Athens Epidaurus Festival.
Jazz by Nefeli Fasouli
Noted performer Nefeli Fasouli will be playing concerts on Monday and Tuesday (June 17 and 18) at the Peiraios 260 annex, also in the context of the Athens Epidaurus Festival.
Fasouli will debut her new jazz album Phases, for which she wrote the lyrics as well as the music, in two performances with her Nefeli Fasouli Quintet.
London Philharmonia Orchestra
Tuesday evening will see London’s renowned Philharmonia Orchestra performing at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus under the baton of its principal conductor, 35-year-old Santtu-Matias Rouvali.
The orchestra will be joined by the celebrated violinist Patricia Kopatchinskaja, a truly explosive and passionate performer.
The Philharmonia Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Santtu-Matias Rouvali perform Mahler: Symphony No.2 (Resurrection) (Mari Eriksmoen soprano and Jennifer Johnston mezzo-soprano) in the Southbank’s Royal Festival Hall on Wednesday, 8 June 2022.
Photo by Mark Allan
World Music Day
The 13-year-old piano prodigy Elisey Mysin is set to play in Greece for the first time this Friday, which is World Music Day.
He will be performing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 at the Herodes Atticus Odeon, accompanied by the ERT National Symphony Orchestra with noted conductor Michalis Economou on the podium.
The ERT Choir will also be adding their voices in works by Tchaikovsky and Borodin.
