 |
| Billy Chrissochos |
THE OPERA "OLYMPIC FLAME" BY PANAGIOTIS KAROUSOS
PRESENTED BY BILLY CHRISSOCHOS WITH SUCCESS IN NEW YORK UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THE CLUB FOR UNESCO
OF PIRAEUS AND ISLANDS
New York 5 July 2016. Billy Chrissochos organized the first Greek opera’s Open-Air
presentation, The Olympic Flame by Panagiotis Karousos at the Athens Square
Park
Billy Chrissochos, director of modern music for UNESCO
Piraeus & Island New York chapter he organized the presentation of the
opera at Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts last April. His amazing work and
dedication to the fine Arts made the debut of the first Greek opera at Lincoln
Center a triumph.
In continuing the Lincoln Center success he organized the
representation of the opera Olympic Flame by Panagiotis Karousos in a second
historical event, the first Greek opera presentation in an open-air festival at
Astoria’s Athens Square Park.
Billy Chrissochos contribution the arts is major, composer
himself to the Greek opera Porphyra, he made history in New York with his
presentations.
Porphyra, the Greek Rock Opera presented last year at
Carnegie Hall with success, and this year at off-Broadway’s Players Theatre,
again with big success.
In addition to his performances with the Rock Opera Porphyra
he organized successfully the two major presentations of the Olympic Flame by
Panagiotis Karousos.
On Tuesday, July 5,
2016 the Athens Square in Astoria, New York was filled with people who came to
see the Greek opera "Olympic Flame" by internationally acclaimed
Greek-Canadian composer Panagiotis Karousos. The Athens Square lived one of the
most touching moments of the Greek Community in New York. They participated
exceptional American artists of opera with amazing stage appearances and high
quality voices.
Great dramatic tenor Demetrios Tsinopoulos interpreted the
role of Hercules, the magnificent dramatic soprano Elisabeth Shoup the tragic
role of Deianira, one of American biggest dramatic mezzo voices Ola Rafalo
interpreted the role of Alcmene, the fine bass Kofi Hayford the roles of
Eurystheus, Hyllus and Prometheus, the lovely Greek-American soprano Stella
Papatheodorou interpreted the roles of Iole and Macaria and strong
mezzo-soprano Viktoriya Koreneva the role of High Priestess. The artists
accompanied by pianist Tor Morten Kjøsnes.
In this production composer added to the opera a new duet
King Hurystheus and High Priestess, especially for Viktoriya Koreneva and Kofi
Hayford, in order to create a rare duet for bass and mezzo. The duet was well
performed and especially received by the crowd.
Stage director Eli Markos did a wonderful work with singers
and Despina Chrissochos interpreted the role of narrator Oracle.
Representative of UNESCO Angelika Sandora, gave Certificates
of Honor to all artists and organizers on behalf of
Ioannis Maronitis, president of the Club for UNESCO Piraeus and Islands and Member of
the Board of the World Federation of Associations and Club Centres for UNESCO
(UNESCO / WFUCA), responsible for Europe and North America.
The majestic presentation of the
opera followed the UNESCO ceremony included President Ioannis Maronnitis
message and dedication of the performance to the return of the Parthenon
Marbles to Greece, and to proclamation by UNESCO of the year 2016 as “Aristotle
Anniversary Year”.
General organizer Billy Chrissochos, Director of Modern Music
of the Club for UNESCO of Piraeus and Islands NY Chapter, did an excellent
work.
Mr. Billy Chrissochos among with George Delis, President of
the Athens Square Park, and Panos Adamopoulos, Program Director in Greek nights
at the Summer Timetable Athens Square, Greek Nights Summer 2016, dedicated the
opera performance to the Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Summer Olympic Games 2016.
Despina Chrissochos welcomed the public introducing the
work: “Modern masterpiece opera "Olympic Flame" by Panagiotis
Karousos, made his triumphant debut at Lincoln Center last April. Now presented
in the United States for a stage production at the Summer Festival of Astoria
on the occasion of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro”.
UNESCO NY director Billy Chrissochos addressed to the
public: “The Olympic Flame by Panagiotis Karousos is an opera in two acts
related to the myth of Hercules and the establishment of the Olympic Games,
tonight the opera will be performed with costumes and stage directing, as a
preparation for our next presentation in a full production in opera theater
with orchestra and our conductor Jestin Pieper”.
The newspaper "National Herald" of New York
devoted a full page with photos and video from the historical presentation of a
first Greek opera in Astoria Festival.Selected photo's from the Olympic Flame Opera at the ATHENS SQUARE PARK, Astoria.
Credit: ETA PRESS Fotis ETA IMAGe
Δεν υπάρχουν σχόλια:
Δημοσίευση σχολίου