Three superstars of classical music will come together for a top-tier event on June 15 at the Herodion: Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and Yo-Yo Ma will share the stage of the Roman Odeon for a magical evening as part of this year’s Athens Epidaurus Festival.

The three leading soloists, who have been performing together for years and filling the world’s greatest concert halls, will interpret works by Beethoven and Brahms. Among the most renowned names internationally, Emanuel Ax, Leonidas Kavakos, and Yo-Yo Ma have already recorded three albums featuring Beethoven’s works, a collaboration greatly celebrated by music lovers.

The musical union of these three brilliant performers with their incomparable technique at the Herodion is expected to be one of the major, internationally acclaimed, musical events of this summer!

Emanuel Ax

Born in Lviv, present-day Ukraine, to Polish parents who emigrated to Canada when Ax was a child, he won first prize at the Arthur Rubinstein Competition in Tel Aviv in 1974 and the Michaels Award for young artists the following year. In 1979, he received the Avery Fisher Prize, having made his New York debut in the Young Concert Artists series a few years earlier.

He followed a significant solo career without ever abandoning chamber music. He has recorded all of Beethoven's and Brahms' cello and piano sonatas with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, recordings that have won Grammy Awards. Additionally, he has been honored with Grammy Awards for his complete cycle of Joseph Haydn's piano sonatas. He participated in the BBC's award-winning documentary on the Holocaust, which aired on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Last year, he performed the world premiere of Anders Hillborg's Piano Concerto with the San Francisco Symphony and conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen. The concerto was a special commission from the orchestra for Ax. Following successful recordings of Brahms' piano trios with Leonidas Kavakos and Yo-Yo Ma (2017), he aims to record all of Beethoven's symphonies and trios with the same collaborators in the coming years.

Leonidas Kavakos

Leonidas Kavakos, recognized worldwide as an artist of rare quality, is distinguished for his unmatched technique, captivating virtuosity, and completeness of interpretation. He regularly collaborates with the greatest orchestras and conductors, giving recitals in the most renowned halls and festivals.

In recent years, he has built a highly successful profile as a conductor, leading the New York Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Vienna Symphony, French Radio Philharmonic, and La Scala Philharmonic, among others.

He has an exclusive recording contract with Sony Classical and has been named Echo Klassik Instrumentalist of the Year (2013) and Gramophone Artist of the Year (2014). With regular collaborators Emanuel Ax and Yo-Yo Ma, he has recorded Beethoven's symphonies and trios under the series "Beethoven for Three." With the ApollΩn Ensemble, he recently recorded Bach's Violin Concertos, which have been praised internationally. Born into a musical family in Athens, he runs his own masterclass series, attracting violinists and chamber music ensembles from around the world. He has been a regular member of the Academy of Athens in the Chair of Music since 2022, and plays on a 1734 “Willemotte” Stradivarius.

Yo-Yo Ma

Yo-Yo Ma's multifaceted career demonstrates his belief that culture has the power to create connections of trust and understanding. At every stage of his journey, he seeks to forge relationships that activate the imagination and humanity.

His most recent project, Our Common Nature, is a cultural journey focusing on the power of nature to bring us together. This followed the Bach Project, a tour during which Ma traveled to six continents performing Bach’s cello suites in collaboration with local partners. These endeavors reflect the artist’s ongoing effort to unite different musical genres and traditions to envision and build a stronger society.

Born in Paris in 1955 to Chinese parents, Ma began learning the cello with his father at age 4. At 7, his family moved to New York, where he continued his cello studies and later pursued humanities. He has recorded over 120 albums, won 19 Grammy Awards, and performed for nine American presidents, most recently at the current president’s inauguration.

He has been honored with the National Medal of Arts, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Birgit Nilsson Prize, among others. He has been a UN Messenger of Peace since 2006 and was recognized by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020.

 

On Saturday, June 15, the famous artist known for his exceptional taste and boundless energy, Guillaume de Kadebostany, is coming to Bolivar Beach Club for a unique DJ set! The founder of the popular and beloved group Kadebostany, which we know from many of their hits like "Castle in the Snow," "Save Me," "Mind if I Stay," "Walking with a Ghost," and the brand-new "Easy," among others, will be arriving on the Athenian Riviera to present his music through his own unique perspective. Joining him are (A-Z) DJ Spector, Roni Iron, and Steph b2b AVA.

Opening Date: Thursday, June 20 at 20:00
From Thursday to Saturday, 18.00 - 21.00.

 

FokiaNou Art Space loves flowers in art, which is why from the summer of 2022 it has launched its annual exhibition series entitled Flower Power, focusing on this emblematic symbol of life and beauty that has consistently inspired the art world. The third version of the exhibition, curated by Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris, is presented this season following an open call for the artists.

The apartment on Fokianou Street is transformed into a unique garden full of flowers and plant motifs, materialized in original works of painting, collage, ceramics, photography, origami and an installation. Flower Power 3, invites us to discover the magical world of flowers and their stories of life and death, decay and eternity, love and hope, sorrow and joy, transformation and rebirth.

The exhibition features artworks by:

Sebastian Boulter, Bettina Buschbeck, Andromachi Giannopoulou, Dimitra Gounari, Sidan Ghazi, Christine Grek, Piyi Wong, Maria Karasavvidou, Nina Kotamanidou, Li, Stathoula Liaska, Ioanna Lin, Annette Luycx, Christos Movidis, Lina Bebi, Pandora Mouriki, Despoina Pantazi, Dida Papalexandrou, Kristel Pent, Caroline Pradal, Geeta Roopnarine, Vicky Samouilidou, Stella Sevastopoulos, Carol Skinner, Vassiliki Spyrou, Georgia Touliatou, Marios Trichas, Panagiotis Ferentinos, Sofia Charoni.

Curated by: Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris



About FokiaNou Art Space

FokiaNou Art Space is an active artistic hub that encourages the collaboration of Greek and foreign artists, contributing to the local artistic community. Since 2016, under the direction and curatorship of visual artists Mary Cox and Panagiotis Voulgaris, more than 60 group, two-person and solo exhibitions, as well as creative workshops and talks have been held at the space.

Get ready to relive the legendary sound of British rock as Dire Straits returns to Athens’ Technopolis! Experience the iconic music brought to life by musicians who recorded and toured with the band over 30 years ago.

Alan Clark, the first keyboardist for Dire Straits, joins Phil Palmer and Danny Cummings, who both contributed to "On Every Street." Mel Collins, featured on the singles "Love Over Gold" and "Twisting by the Pool," and Jack Sonni, known for his work on the international bestseller "Brothers in Arms," will also take the stage.All of these talented artists have performed with Dire Straits on numerous global tours.

Don’t miss this chance to see rock history come alive!

This masterpiece impresses with its skillful blend of drama and dark comedy, seduction and kink, desire and deception, highlighting the intense erotic tensions and power games between the sexes.. A smash Broadway hit, it is hailed by the New York Times as “seriously smart and very funny”.

The plot unfolds in the office of playwright and director Thomas Novachek, who is conducting auditions to find the ideal actress to play Vanda in his adaptation of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's "Venus in Fur". Disheartened and anxious, fearing he won't find an actress good enough for the lead role, Thomas reluctantly agrees to see the tardy Vanda Jordan. This enigmatic actress, with her charismatic presence, draws Thomas into a dangerous game of power and sexual submission, raising questions about her true identity and motives for visiting the arrogant director.

"Venus in Fur" turns into a play within a play, and the audience is caught between what is "real" and what is "acted". Lines are blurred as actress and director become the characters of the play, creating a mesmerizing and thought-provoking experience.

Written by: David Ives
Directed by: Racha Gabriel
Actors: Amaryllis Asimakopoulou, Dirk Sikorski
Dialogue/Acting Coach: David Rawstron
Lighting Designer: Fernanda Balcells
Score & Set Design: Yesh
Set & Props: Dimitris Mellos
Publicity – Communication: Eleftheria Sakareli

PERFORMANCE DATES

28th June – 5th August
Every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday at 20.00

ΤICKETS

15€  
Drama Student Discount: tickets at the theatre box office for €12.
Early Arrival Discount: Α limited number of tickets are available for €5 to people arriving 1 hour before the performance.

Jazz, Funk, Soul, Boogaloo are some of the influences of the band, creating a mix of dancing euphoria. Psychedelic improvisations, tramping Grooves and organ moans make up The Soul Peanuts.

They have hundreds of appearances in Bars, Stages, and Festivals have collaborated with many musicians of the local scene, and we are expecting their first album to be released in 2024.

They will be at Blue Fox, on Saturday, June 29th at 21:00 for a frenetic live full of groove but also solidarity, as the proceeds of the event will be donated to two remarkable organisations that offer help to refugees in Athens.



The Soul Peanuts

Eric Panagopoulos - Guitar
Raphael Meleteas - Organ
Yannis Papadoulis - Drums

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For more information about the band, please visit The Soule Peanuts' Facebook and Instagram accounts!

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DJs

Alexandros Velentzas
Youztuz

All donations will support the work of the following humanitarian organisations:
Refocus Media Labs
Indigo Volunteers

* The first set will start at 22:00

Sting will be performing as part of the 2024 Athens and Epidaurus Festival, promising an unforgettable concert at the historic Odeon of Herodes Atticus, a venue over 1,800 years old nestled beneath the slopes of the Acropolis.

On July 5th and 6th, 2024, the legendary composer, singer-songwriter, actor, author, and activist will take the stage. Born in Newcastle, England, Sting moved to London in 1977 and formed The Police with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers. The band released five studio albums, won six Grammy Awards and two Brit Awards, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. Throughout his distinguished career, Sting has sold nearly 100 million albums through his work with The Police and as a solo artist. He has also received 10 Grammy Awards, two Brit Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Emmy.

Working for the first time with the internationally acclaimed Greek director and teacher, Theodoros Terzopoulos, the National Theatre of Greece presents Aeschylus’ Oresteia trilogy at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 July as part of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival. This landmark cultural event is sure to be an iconic production of intellectual and philosophical depth that pushes the boundaries of art.

In 458 BCE, at a time of violent social and political upheaval, Aeschylus presented the Oresteia (Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and the Eumenides), the only surviving trilogy of ancient drama and his last extant work, written just two years before his death, which reflects many of the rapid changes of his era.

The trilogy revolves around the tragic ordeal of Orestes, which spreads successively to all the characters and the chorus through successive stages, from destabilisation to desperation to madness. This situation is exploited by Athena in the third part of the trilogy, when she institutes democracy by force, through a controversial peace.

In the first two parts of the trilogy, Agamemnon and The Libation Bearers, the murders that put an end to the tyrannical rule of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra are the culmination of a new period of crisis and destabilisation that is reflected in The Eumenides. The Furies, the chthonic deities that represent instinct and impulse, preserve memory. Knowing that any dispute with the gods is doomed to end in defeat, they rebel and threaten the good order of the city. Orestes must pay so that not only the crime but also its repetition are punished, and the memory of the conflict is kept alive.

Athena uses every means at her disposal in her attempt to achieve peace between the gods and the Furies, offering the latter various rewards and privileges. To achieve their capitulation, she brings violence into the realm of language. Her speech introduces deceitful persuasion, lies and deception into the political arena. The Furies yield of their own accord. Wearing the characteristic purple robes of metics (resident aliens), they are renamed the Eumenides (“Gracious Ones”) and move away from the heart of the city. Their ultimate fate is obscurity and oblivion, deep within the bowels of the earth. Democracy has been established. But not painlessly. Whatever is incompatible with the new regime – the part of the living body associated with memory, instinct, animal drive – has been banished. The new order of things is imposed by the mechanisms of power in such a way that it is as if these vital forces had never existed.

The Furies compromise and accept the social position of metics, yet their internal structure is not altered. Like natural phenomena that do not disappear from the earth, but spiral through transformation, escalation and de-escalation, so the chthonic deities can be imagined retreating and withdrawing, only to re-emerge, constantly assuming new, unexpected forms.

K-house is making a return to the city! Peggy Gou, affectionately nicknamed Feta Gou by her Greek fans due to her love for feta cheese, is set to electrify our summer concert lineup once more. Originally hailing from South Korea and now based in Berlin, the acclaimed DJ and music producer is no stranger to Athens. This time, however, she’s planning her biggest performance yet. Personally curated by the superstar DJ, the lineup includes Ryan Elliott, Mogwaa, Feathered Sun, and local talent DJ Amelia.

Ryan Elliott, who started as a resident DJ at the legendary Berghain and Panorama Bar, brings a dynamic range of techno and house. Mogwaa, an emerging Korean DJ, is known for his eclectic mixes of spacey techno and loopy acid. Feathered Sun’s sets, filled with improvisation and genre-blending, are always unpredictable and exciting. Given the massive popularity of her shows in 2022 and 2023, tickets are expected to sell out quickly. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this trendy event!

The Athens Epidaurus Festival is thrilled to welcome "the most otherworldly beautiful voice on the planet," the charismatic countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński, to the Herodion. This marks the first visit to Greece for the award-winning opera star and breakdance sensation.

Joining him is the renowned baroque and classical music ensemble Il Pomo d’Oro, presenting a concert based on their album Beyond. Orliński's voice has been described as one that "can make Vivaldi speak as directly as a pop song."

Generation Z knows Orliński well as the artist who bridges their generation with the world of opera, introducing them to baroque music in his unique way and proving the timeless appeal of classical music.

International critics have praised Orliński's voice, with the Times calling it "a voice strong and steady, from angelic high notes to powerful, dark lows," and the Sunday Times noting it can "make Vivaldi speak as directly as a pop song."

Trained at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw and the Juilliard School in New York, Orliński has performed to sold-out audiences at major venues worldwide, including Covent Garden in London, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the San Francisco Opera. His remarkable ability to connect the seemingly disparate worlds of opera and breakdance captivates audiences. Notably, his video performance of the aria "Vedrò con mio diletto" from Vivaldi's Il Giustino (Aix-en-Provence, 2017) surpassed 11 million views on YouTube within days of the concert.

Orliński has expressed that from a young age, classical music moved him deeply, driving him to dance and explore how music influences movement. He has won awards in skateboarding, breakdancing, and pole dancing, graced the covers of top fashion magazines, and modeled for renowned brands. His multifaceted artistic journey was even documented in Arte's Music for a While. In addition to his musical career, Orliński is also involved in volunteer work and activism.

Il Pomo d’Oro's Commitment to Music and Community

Il Pomo d’Oro, performing for the second time at the Herodion, was founded in 2012 and quickly gained fame for their dynamic, historically informed performances of baroque and classical works.

Named after Cesti's opera Il Pomo d’Oro (The Golden Apple, 1668), they have recorded 46 award-winning CDs of instrumental and operatic music. Active in volunteerism and activism, they are official ambassadors of El Sistema Greece, providing charity concerts, free workshops, and lessons in refugee camps across the country since 2017. In close collaboration with El Sistema Venezuela, they offer free online lessons in baroque music interpretation.