Success of the opera "Prometheus Bound" at Prison of Socrates on Philopappos hill of Athens

Saturday 22 June 2019. The Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens presented the   opera "Prometheus Bound" in Panagiotis Karousos, at the emblematic Monument "Socrates’ Prison" on Philopappos hill, for the European Music Day 2019 celebrations. At the opera featured prominent singers such as: bass Vasilis Asimakopoulos (Prometheus), soprano Irini Konsta (Io), mezzo Katerina Botoni (Violence / Athena), soprano Mariza Kioseoglou (Oceanid), tenor Chrysostomos Kalogridakis (Kratos / Ocean / Hermes), and pianist Pantelis Legakis had the musical direction, and accompanied the amazing artists.

Welcome speeches given by Tatiana Poulou, archaeologist at the Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens, and composer Panagiotis Karousos. The audience who attended the opera at the Acropolis Archaeological Site amazed by the music and the spectacular opera singers.

The philosophical symbolism of "Prometheus Bound" by Aeschylus, translated with a high lyrical poetry by Gryparis, was set to music by composer Panagiotis Karousos to a play of theatrical prose and neo-romantic music writing with original melodic motifs and arias of modern belcanto. The opera is suitable for big voices of the verismo opera style of the post-Romantic operatic tradition, with vocal jumps imposing special vocal skills.

Notable moment of the opera was when Prometheus meeting with Io, performed by unique bass Vasilis Asimakopoulos and the dramatic soprano Irini Konsta, the two great artists led us to a deep drama, unprecedented on the Greek opera tradition.

Also, the scene of the condemnation of Prometheus, at the finale of the opera with the arrival of the goddess Athena was impressively attributed by the excellent mezzo Katerina Botoni.

The arias of Ocean and Hermes, respectively performed by soprano Mariza Kioseoglou and tenor Chrysostomos Kalogridakis, enthused the audience with their melodicity.

Among the spectators, the poet, George Stavrakis, of the Greek Literary Society, congratulated the artists for the wonderful performance of the opera "Prometheus Bound".

German choreographer Sacha von Gerlach was also enthusiastic about the opera and congratulated Panagiotis Karousos and archaeologists for the initiative to present the opera in this iconic archaeological site.

The imposing archaeological site of Philopappou and the Prison of Socrates, presents us with an imaginary link, transferring us in a link between the text of Aeschylus and Socrates' words. How the greatest philosopher Socrates was condemned by the people, with the accusation of disrespect for the gods, and that the greatest revolutionary Titan Prometheus was condemned by the gods.

Both opposed to the heathenish government by accepting their punishment as the absolute good of freedom of thought.

The world was welcomed by Pelagia Zaloumi, Museum and Archaeological Site Guard at the Ephorate of Antiquities of Athens, and guard Ioannis Karoulas shape the space in order to present the opera. Chairs for the public gave the Restaurant Dionysus Zonar's.

 

 

  

 

Ancient Corinth welcomed Sophocles' opera "Trachiniae" by P. Karousos

Saturday, June 15, 2019. Sophocles' opera "Trachiniae" directed by Irini Konsta and set to music by Panagiotis Karousos was presented successfully at the Open Theater of Ancient Corinth "Xenia". The organization and presentation was made by Dr. Antonia Tzianavara, Head of the Cultural Activities of KEPAP of the Municipality of Corinth with the collaboration of Anastasia Tsapalou, Head of the Corinthia Secondary School Activities. At the opera participated the Philharmonic Orchestra of Corinth under the direction of Maestro Glykeria Moraitaki.

In the opera they starred: the great soprano Irini Konsta who interpreted with a huge vocal range the tragic role of Deianira, the unique bass Vasilis Asimakopoulos interpreted the roles of Hercules and the Hyllus, the excellent soprano Mariza Kioseoglou interpreted the roles of Makaria and Ioli, the spinto tenor Theodoros Birakos, interpreted the role of Eurystheus, the exquisite mezzo-soprano Katerina Botoni, interpreted the role of Alkmini, and the pianist Pantelis Legakis, had the musical direction on the piano.

The great lyric artists were accompanied by talented musicians: Flutes: Michel Drisa - Zacharula Sapera. Clarinets: Vasilopoulou Galini - Daphne Anna - Kardaras Takis - Filis Yannis. Sax Soprano: Moraite Stella. Sax Alto: Moraetaki Glykeria - Sapera Sophia - Vasilopoulou Rubini - Kyriakopoulos Nikos. Sax Tenor: Irene Loucu. Trombones: Roussis Sotiris - Antonis Saperas. Percussion: Arigononis Christos - Stelios Manos - Stratoudakis Dimitris.

The audience was thrilled by the wonderful voices and the theatrical performance of the lyric artists. Finally, in the applause, all the singer, musician, organizer and composer were bowed under a full moon in the sky of Ancient Corinth. It was an unforgettable experience for all, artists and audiences.

 

 

 

Billy Chrissochos / PORPHYRA-The Starmaker's Prophecy (Nobody's Records)

PORPHYRA-The Starmaker's Prophecy (Nobody's Records) 
PORPHYRA hails from Queens, NYC and their new album is called "The Starmaker's Prophecy". It contains ten brand new tracks and is worthy of a bit over forty-five minutes. The band mixes a broad variation in styles, ranging from melodic hard rock to symphonic metal. Opener "City Of Gold" is easy on the ear and it also proves that we are dealing with a bunch of very gifted musicians, including some great female vocals. Singer Elaine Tuttle will immediately attract your attention, at least she did with me. "Always On My Mind" starts with another 'easy on the ear' part and when the guitars start riffing, it's quite obvious that the slightly symphonic input gives the sound of the band a much broader vision. Later on in this song, there is even a true metal feeling going on in this amazing tune. Check out the guitar parts here. "Misirlou" gives away some of the mystery around the band. The musicians are mostly hailing from Greece and this reflects in this Greek titled song, that starts off with some Greek folk elements in it. They match very well with the melodic song structures that we heard so far. The drum outro sounds very powerful. "Forever" could very well be a hit single. It has got the hooks, but it also has got that catchy feeling to sing it along quite easily. The Greek influences will return in the beginning of "St. Basil's Hymn". The male vocals dominate this time and a big part of the hymn is instrumental. Afterwards, a complete instrumental version of this particular song will follow to close the CD. The epic, progressive "The Tale Of Bygone Years" is an outstanding tune and by far the best song on the album. It's another perfect example of the band's diversity in music styles. The subtle twist and mood changes give the album a kick in the ass. The band shows its musical muscles here. "Hook Through My Heart" on the other hand is very open and so much more easy to comprehend, that you can hardly understand that this is from the same band that just cranked out this insane progressive masterpiece. The CD closes with title track "The Starmaker's Prophecy", which is another lengthy anthem that proves the high quality of this band. The sudden mood change near the end sounds truly amazing and it will keep you focused. The very last song is an instrumental version of "St. Basil's Hymn". PORPHYRA already exists for quite some time now and the first musical roots originate from a band, called PHOENIX REIGN in 1998. In 2013, the band was renamed to PORPHYRA and the Byzantine influences have become bigger and bigger. PORPHYRA is definitely worth checking out and this album "The Starmaker's Prophecy" would make a good start to exploring this band. PORPHYRA consists of Elaine Tuttle on vocals, Mike Cotoia on guest vocals, Mike 'Risko' Savvas on guitar, tzoura and additional bass, Billy Chrissochos on guitar, Gregorz 'Greg' Swirszcz on bass, Richard Khuzami on percussion and Tracey 'Tre Boogie' Beavers on drums. Guest appearances on this album are by Jesse Pieper on keyboards in "St. Basil's Hymn", Mike 'Risko' Savvas on bass, Aady Pandit on guitar in "Forever" and our good friend Mark M.E. Edwards of OVERLORDE playing the guitar solo on that incredible "The Tale Of Bygone Years". The beautiful artwork on this CD was done by Billy Chrissochos. Website: http://www.porphyraband.com. [8 points] (Toine van Poorten)
http://www.metalmaidens.com/Cdreviews2p.htm

EUROPEAN MUSIC DAY 2019 "PROMETHEUS BOUND"

EUROPEAN MUSIC DAY 2019

"PROMETHEUS BOUND"

OPERA BASED ON AESCHYLUS TRAGEDY

MUSIC BY PANAGIOTIS KAROUSOS

PRISON OF SOCRATES

FILOPAPPOU HILL ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE

SATURDAY 22 JUNE 2019 | 18:00 PM

PROMETHEUS:

VASILIS ASIMAKOPOULOS

IO: IRINI KONSTA

VIA/ATHENS: KATERINA BOTONI

OCEAN/HERMES: CHRYSOSTOMOS KALOGRIDAKIS

OCEANID: MARIZA KIOSEOGLOU

PANTELIS LEAGAKIS, PIANO

Aeschylus' masterpiece “Prometheus Bound” in opera:

The lyric tragedy "Prometheus Bound" is the first Greek popular opera presented internationally and always with great success in areas such as the Sorbonne, Place des Arts in Canada, Epidaurus, UN, getting rave reviews.

The opera is based on the tragedy of Aeschylus 'Prometheus Bound' translated by Gryparis, and presented with costumes in a theatrical form.

Prometheus was presented in Montreal, Canada in 1994 and performed intermittently in French until 2000. In 2008 moved to New York and Washington under the direction of maestro Grant Gilman. In Greece Prometheus ascended at the Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus, Theatre of Ancient Messene, Ancient Agora, National Archaeological Museum, Theatre Veakeio, International Petra Festival, Theatre Saras Markopoulo, in the Municipal Theatres Cholargos, Corinth, Halkida, Argostoli, Ithaka, Zakynthos, in Peristeri Park, at the Hall of Society of Greek Writers, Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, Evripidio Theatre of Salamis Island, Theatre "Jenny Karezi", Tsagarada Pelion, etc.

With the patronage of UNESCO was presented in March 2014 in New York City in Queens Auditorium and the UN starring Vassilis Asimakopoulos representing Greece at the UN, and in the Amphitheater Richelieu of the Sorbonne in Paris, presented by Ioannis Maronitis, President of the Club for  UNESCO Piraeus & Islands and Member of the Executive Council of the World Federation Clubs, Associations & UNESCO Centres (WFUCA) for Europe and North America.