“PROMETHEUS BOUND” BY PANAGIOTIS KAROUSOS AT THE ANCIENT AGORA OF CLASSICAL ATHENS

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2013. The opera "Prometheus Bound" by Panagiotis Karousos presented successfully at the Ancient Agora of Athens during the events European Heritage Days under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports.
The Ancient Agora of Classical Athens (aka Forum of Athens in older texts) is the best-known example of an ancient Greek agora, located to the northwest of the Acropolis and bounded on the south by the hill of the Areopagus and on the west by the hill known as the Kolonus Agoraios, also called Market Hill.

After the mythical presentation of the opera "Prometheus Bound" of Greek Canadian composer Panagiotis Karousos Epidaurus showcases the opera in the space of Ancient Republic. It was an other historical moment for Greek opera, art and music.

The lyrical work based on the tragedy "Prometheus Bound" by Aeschylus in translation of Grypari continuously represented in many important sites of Greece.

In the role of Prometheus bass Vasilis Asimakopoulos gave an outstanding performance with a mysterious and touching presence that pleased the audience.

The direction that made also by Vasilis Asimakopoulos was based on ancient tragedy, enriching prose with the singing.

The roles of Io and Ocenide performed by soprano Maria Lyberakou, the roles of Ocean and Hermes performed by tenor Anastasios Stellas, and the roles of Violence and Goddess Athena performed by soprano Marimel Chrysi.

Flutist Danae Kioupouroglou and pianist Vivi Klisoura accompanied the performers.

Production and costumes were from the Hellenic American Center of the Arts.

The agora was probably laid out in the center of the city as a public space in the 6th century BC, though Laurence Baurain-Rebillard has suggested that it dates to the 7th century. Earlier, a more primitive agora may have existed elsewhere in Athens. The final site was located at the intersection of three existing roads with the Panathenaic 

Way, the main road in Athens. It was organized by Peisistratus, who removed private houses from the agora, closed wells, and made it the center of Athenian government. He also built a drainage system, fountains and a temple to the Olympian gods. In the 5th and 4th century BC there were temples constructed to Hephaestus, Zeus and Apollo. The museum is housed in the Stoa of Attalos, and its exhibits are connected with the Athenian democracy.

THE MUNICIPALITY OF PERISTERI PRESENTED THE OPERA “PROMETHEUS BOUND” BY PANAGIOTIS KAROUSOS

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27 2013. In the theater "ART IN STONE" on Peristeri’s Grove presented the lyric drama "Prometheus Bound" with music and libretto by Panagiotis Karousos, based on Aeschylus’ tragedy.

Vasilis Asimakopoulos starred at the leading role of Prometheus in the tragedy "Prometheus Bound" which he also successfully directed.

Opera bass Mr. Vasilis Asimakopoulos gave an alternation of prose and singing highlighted the emotional side of the tragic hero. Prometheus after Vasilis Asimakopoulos is a symbol of resistance to all sorts of tyrannical power.
Io and Nymph Oceanide was the soprano Maria Lyberakou, Ocean and Hermes was Anastasios Stellas, and soprano Marimel Chrissi interpreted the roles of Violence and Goddess Athena.
Actress Viki Virvili having to her credit several leading roles in Ancient Greek Tragedy interpreted the role of Coryphaea, among with Ocenides Chorus.

The orchestra ensemble were Danae Kioupouroglou, flute, Dimitris Sideris, oboe and English horn and Vivi Klisoura piano.
The production and costumes were from the Hellenic American Center of the Arts.
The Opera Night at the “Cultural September 2013” of the Municipality of Peristeri, proved by the cheer audience that opera still remains a popular art even nowadays. The performance was attended by President of the Festival and Vice-Mayor of Culture of the Municipality of Peristeri Mary Tsiota.

WITH THE OPERA " PROMETHEUS BOUND " BY PANAGIOTIS KAROUSOS WAS CELEBRATED THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF SALAMIS 2013

Sunday, September 22, 2013. With pomp and circumstance celebrated the anniversary of the Battle of Salamis. The Anniversary was honored by the presence of composer Panagiotis Karousos that offered his opera "Prometheus Bound".

The opera presented at the 'Municipal Open Amphitheater of Salamis Euripides' and was the first presentation of opera in the history the amphitheater.
The atmosphere was solemn and the crowd enjoyed a mixture of ancient drama with opera arias and duets.
The institution of the Festival «Salaminia» took place every year to celebrate the anniversary of the Battle of Salamis.
The mayor of Salamina Mr Yiannis Tsavaris welcomed the opera and thanked the artists for their significant offering to Salaminia Festival and gave a commemorative gift from Salamis to the composer Panagiotis Karousos.

Director and leading star of the opera was bass Basilis Asimakopoulos who accepted a standing ovation from the public.

Actress Vicky Virvili performed the part of the Leading Oceanide with the female chorus of the Nymphs Okeanides choreographed by her.
Io and Nymph Oceanide was the soprano Maria Lyberakou, Ocean and Hermes was tenor Anastasios Stellas, Violence and Goddess Athena was soprano Marimel Chrissi, and at the roles of Hephaestus and Zeus was honorably the composer Panagiotis Karousos, baritone. Flutist Danae Kioupouroglou, oboist Dimitris Sideris, and pianist Vivi Klisoura accompanied the performers. All artists get a cheering applause in every single aria and duet from the crowd. Costumes were from the Hellenic American Center of the Arts, and sets were from the Municipal Theatrical Group of the City of Salamis "Euripides".