TRIUMPHAL PRESENTATION OF THE OPERA “PROMETHEUS BOUND” BY PANAGIOTIS KAROUSOS AT LA SORBONNE UNIVERSITY OF PARIS

With a huge artistic success presented the opera "Prometheus Bound" by Panagiotis Karousos at La Sorbonne on Monday, April 4, 2016 in the Auditorium Richelieu (Sorbonne) under the auspices of the Club for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands in collaboration with the Club for UNESCO Kefalonia, Ithaka & Zakynthos.

It was the first time that staged an opera at the University of Paris, the biggest French-speaking University in the world. The music moved the select audience where praised with a big applause the composer and all artists.

The presentation made by Mr. Ioannis Maronitis, President of the Club for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands and Member of the Executive Council of the Clubs World Federation of Associations and UNESCO Centres (WFUCA) for Europe and North America, who dedicated the show to return the sculptures of the Parthenon at the Acropolis Museum.

Prometheus performed by bass Vasilis Asimakopoulos that has now been identified with this great tragic role. Io sung by soprano Irini Konsta with tragic vocal fluctuations. Tenor Philip Modinos interpreted the roles of Hephaestus, Ocean and Hermes giving the right style at the diametrically opposed characters with nice melodic voice.

The impressive mezzo-soprano Kassandra Dimopoulou interpreted the role of cruel violence, with tragic lyrical voice Amphitrite, and intensity the warier Goddess Athena. The soprano-coloratura Vanessa Kalkanis interpreted Oceanid with a velvet voice and amazingly the difficult aria of Goddess Hera. The excellent artists accompanied well by fine pianist Victoria Kiazimi.

The inspired stage direction made by Vassilis Asimakopoulos brought the work so close to the ancient tragedy that immobilized the public. The excitement of the Parisian audience was so great that were over ten curtains at the end of the opera.

Comments were strongly wormed and excited for all artists.

Yann Migoubert, director of the Cultural Department of the University of Sorbonne greeted the artists and the composer and prefaced the show: "It is a great honor for the Sorbonne University to present this great work of Mr. Panagiotis Karousos in Paris with a team of wonderful performers with exceptional talent".

Dr. Anastasios Koutsoukos, Professor in Sorbonne University, who had coordinated the opera said: "Today is a historic day for the Greek opera, "Prometheus Bound" is established as a masterpiece of world music-making, genius composer Panagiotis Karousos has created a divine work. The performers worthy of the composer's confidence was beyond all previous excellent, well done to everyone for their amazing work".

Philippe Brunet, artistic director of the Choir Company of Sorbonne said: "A great moment for the artistic world, the fantastic artists of the opera came from Greece brought the soul of their famous country of culture and light, this modern opera "Prometheus Bound" by genius composer Panagiotis Karousos will stay forever in memory".

George Dimou, director of Secondary Education of Athens said: "Panagiotis Karousos is a new genius composer who raises Greece on the highest pedestal of art. The opera performers moved all of as with their great talent".

Professor Athanasios Evangelou thrilled with the opera said: "It is a great pleasure for us in Paris to attend the unique opera "Prometheus Bound" by Panagiotis Karoussos.

A unique work with a passionate music writing, interpreted by such notable artists who literally moved all of us".

Senior Brigadier Sophia Papadatou said: "The opera "Prometheus Bound by "Panagiotis Karoussos must occur everywhere to learn the whole world, is a work that represents the ancient but also the modern Greek culture. The artists who came from Greece are so attached vocally and theatrically with the work that sets the project stands worthy like the productions of major opera theaters in the world. Well done to all".

Anastasia Papadatou – Apostolopoulou, president of UNESCO Club for Kefalonia,  Ithaca and Zakynthos said: "It's so much talented the composer Panagiotis Karousos that renewed the Greek opera and gave the ancient breath of our ancestors. The group of artists that has repeatedly presented the opera in Kefalonia, Ithaca and Zakynthos is stunning".

Mr. Ioannis Maronitis, President of the Club for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands and Member of the Executive Council of the World Federation Clubs, Associations and Centres UNESCO (WFUCA), awarded with the UNESCO MEDAL all the artists. Referring to the opera said: "We brought the Greek this opera in Sorbonne seeing it’s great worthy. We support strongly culture in all its forms, let alone such a universal for Greece and around the world creation that we will be remembered. Panagiotis Karousos is an enlightened man with vision, a pioneer who grapples with great values ​​and ideas of the ancient Greek civilization and brings nowadays so simplistic that it is impossible not to excite even the most naive viewer thrilling even the most demanding. The worthy group of performers follows with passion and admiration the great composer on the international stage opera and triumphs with him wherever will go. Sorbonne is the beginning of a glorious journey for all of us".

UNESCO CLUB FOR PIRAEUS & ISLANDS