Successful presentation of the opera "Iliad" by Panagiotis Karousos at the City Hall of Nikaia for the 3rd High School of Nikaia

Monday, March 17, 2025. The educational presentation of Homer's Opera "ILIADA" music and libretto by the composer Panagiotis Karousos was successfully presented at the City Hall of Nikaia - Event Hall with the 3rd Gymnasium of Nikaia, Athens, Greece.

The opera was presented with an introductory seminar: "Prosody as a connecting link between opera and ancient Greek literature". Lecturer: Panagiotis Karousos, composer (prosody analysis).

The beautiful famous Greek operatic soprano Irini Konsta participated as an honorary participation in the role of Beautiful Helen, who impressed the students and was applauded by everyone. The members of the "Rhapsodes" Musical Ensemble participated. Giannos Kotzias (tenor), Giannis Darrios (tenor), Niki Zacharopoulou (chorus), Sofia Daraki (chorus), Christiana Manou (piano). Coordination and Artistic Direction: Panagiotis Karousos (music composer).

Students of the Theater Group of the 3rd Gymnasium of Nicaea participated interactively with a performance of Rhapsody A of Homer's Iliad under the supervision of Professor Iakinthis Iona, English professor - poet. Seraphim Kalenderis, Alkiviadis Tzouros, Eftichis Fasoulis, Dimitris Kourakos, Stavros Katsoupis, Christina Kardiolaka, Irini Lintzeri, Elisabeth Antonopoulou, Anelya Fousa, Christina Kampitsi. Also, the Choral Group of the 3rd Gymnasium of Nikaia beautifully performed the choral "The Shield of Achilles" from the opera Iliad by Homer under the direction of Professor Achilles Akritidis, Musician.

Greeted by Mitrainas Georgios, Director of the 3rd Gymnasium of Nikaia, and the English Literature teacher Mrs. Kolliou Eleni.

The teachers present were: Vasiliki Giamboura, Virginia Despotidis, Sofia Simopoulou, Eleni Kolliou, Loukas Tsitsipis, Georgia Tsirou, Evangelos Sakkas, Marianthi Arapi, Ekaterini Kostakou, Achilleas Akritidis.

The presentation of the program of the Opera “ILIADA” by Homer was very popular with the students who applauded the excellent artists and their participating classmates. The Hymn to the Muse, the aria of Achilles “Aphthiton kleos”, the choral “Aspida tou Achilles”, the aria of Oraia Heleni, and the Doxastic Paean “Oh, my homeland, Greece” were performed.

As part of the seminar that preceded the opera, examples of Prosody on phrases from Homer's Iliad were performed by the tenor Yannis Darreios in lyrical form and the same examples in chant form by Niki Zacharopoulou. The students were particularly impressed by the video showing Maria Callas in the aria "Casta Diva" from Bellini's opera Norma. The entire performance was dedicated to the great opera singer Maria Callas.