Greek Festival
The program of the Athens festival was announced last week. I wasn't
sure on whether I should write anything about it or just let it be. An impressive
number of productions -mostly in June and July, following the format of the
previous two years- will be presented again. Lots of famous musicians and
ensembles will again appear, and most of the Greek newspaper journalists are very
happy about it. They believe that well-known artists make the festival more
prestigious. Whatever... Anyway, I was searching in the official site of the festival (here), since most of the newspapers
didn't mention any ticket prices. Unfortunately, nothing there yet. So, I can't
complain, on how much it will cost if you, for example, decide to listen to
Renée Fleming, the Orchestre de Paris, the Ensemble Intercontemporain, and
the Bolshoi orchestra and chorus. Not to mention some other luxurious productions...
Yes, the Ensemble Intercontemporain is coming again, this time with Messiaen's Des canyons aux étoiles, in a performance at the Roman ancient theatre of Athens,
the Odeon of
Herodes Atticus. Yes, the organizers seem to believe that there will be
around 3000-4000 interested listeners -the theatre has a capacity of 5000, so, anything less than 3000 gives the impression of an empty venue... There are some other productions, more attractive -and less expensive.
Information on these is not yet posted on the site. You can find a series of
quartet concerts with some great international ensembles and the New Hellenic
Quartet. These will find place at the Megaron's small hall, something
positive and negative at the same time. Positive, since the Festival was in need of smaller venues. On the other hand, it is rather disturbing if this festival as well
gets in the hands of the Megaron people... I said it before, and I'll always say it,
monopoly is bad for the arts. Then, if it wasn't for the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, there wouldn't
be any performance from a Greek orchestra... But this didn't bother any journalist.
They don't appreciate what they have in the winter, why should they do it in the
summer??? I don't get even into the trouble to write anything about my Greek colleagues of somewhat younger age (who, once again, won't perform in the festival)... this is a serious blog! Finally, as far as non-classical music is concerned, there are
some more popular events, no soul or jazz however like last year... If you happen to be in Athens during June and July, the festival worths a visit.
Hopefully you'll be prepared to spend some money. This is Athens after all! Expensive and luxurious. Cheers!
4 comments:
The tickets to the Athens Festival have always been and still are quite cheap. The prices for all events are finally announced and you ll be glad to find that the most expensive ticket for the Renee Fleming Gala costs 80euro, for Riccardo Muti 100euro, for Sokurov's Boris Godunov it's 60 euro (the most expensive, i repeat!)and for Pina Bausch's Orphee et Euridice it's 50 euro...Now, show me a Festival or an Opera House around the globe with cheaper tickets! I'm very happy that the city i live in hosts such a festival (well, ok, i'm happy since the time mr. Loukos became the Festival Director)even if i mumble and protest constanly about the Megaron and the National Opera
well, you're right. These prices are cheap in comparison with other similar festivals around the globe -much cheaper indeed. The thing is whether is cheap enough for the Athenian audience... And the capacity of the Hodeon is huge. If a couple will visit three or four of these events it will cost around 700€, with some -cheap too- dinner or drinks afterwards. I agree with you this is not much -Greeks however don't give so much for serious art, isn't it?
Well, the last few years i spend a small fortune during the festival as i want to watch as much as possible and the worst thing is that all events are sold out! So you have to check often the ticket release dates. The new Athens Festival with G. Loukos directing it, has nothing to do with the old one! You ll feel the difference! And what's that with dinner and drinks? I go for dinner everytime after a performance and you know that food in greece is a lot cheaper that in the rest of Europe. It's a blessing that with 100euros one can watch 4-5 performances!
I'm happier than you for all that information. If events are sold out, that's great!
Food in Greece is cheaper? You have every right to believe that.
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