THE OPERA "OLYMPIC FLAME" BY PANAGIOTIS KAROUSOS AT LINCOLN CENTER IN NEW YORK

THE FEDERATION OF HELLENIC SOCIETIES OF GREATER NEW YORK PROUDLY PRESENTS

THE OPERA "OLYMPIC FLAME"

BY PANAGIOTIS KAROUSOS

A MODERN MASTERPIECE BASED ON SOPHOCLES' TRAGEDY TRACHINEAE

Internationally acclaimed composer, Panagiotis Karousos, comes to New York for a historic presentation of the first Greek opera at Lincoln Center, to mark the Olympic Games 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH, 2016 AT 8:00PM
LINCOLN CENTER OF THE PERFORMING ARTS
Bruno Walter Auditorium
111 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023

*This is an Invitation Only event for the Greek Independence Day Parade Events. For more information please contact Billy Chrissochos at vchrissochos@gmail.com or 718-204-6500.

Hellenic American Orchestra conducted by Jestin Pieper
Heracles: Demetrios John Tsinopoulos, tenor
Deianira: Elisabeth Shoup, Soprano
Hyllos & Prometheus: Kofi Hayford, bass
Macaria & Iole: Stella Papatheodorou, soprano
Alkmene: Viktoriya Koreneva, mezzo-soprano
Stage director: Eli Markos
Production manager: Billy Chrissochos

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THE OLYMPIC FLAME by Panagiotis Karousos
The Olympic Flame (Montreal 2005) is an opera in two acts related to the legend of Heracles and the founding of the Olympic Games.

The Olympic Flame is the second operatic work by Panagiotis Karousos. Along with “Prometheus” (first performed in Greek at the Place des Arts, in June of 1994 and subsequently in its French version in June of 1996) and “Alexander the Great” (Canada 2007) is part of a trilogy depicting the greatness of the human spirit and the humanism of the “Hellenes.” This is stated in the philosophical works of Greek antiquity and clearly indicates that we are all descendants of the culture and civilization of that era.

The opera in its entirety is based on the Olympic flame and as it unfolds gives us the fundamental meaning behind the ancient Greek religious ritual, "for that is what it is". The flame as we know it furring the Olympics is basically a simple commemoration/re-enactment of the flame as was stolen from the Gods by Prometheus and brought to the people. The flame of knowledge, from which civilizations were born. In Greek antiquity it was a religious ritual, with the purpose of bringing of the people closer to the Gods.

Its second act is based on the tragedy “Trachiniæ” by Sophocles. In the Trachiniæ, are described the sufferings of Heracles and the levity of Dëianira, atoned for by her death; “The Olympic Flame” is a presentation of a major work of Greek mythology and philosophy, and in turn its contribution to world civilization.

The composition and orchestration of the opera is influenced by the post-romantic era in music and by other classical elements in Greek antiquity thus making it an avant-garde opera of the new millennium. Dominant in this work as in others by Panagiotis Karousos is the exaltation of lyricism, which relates well to ancient Greek tragedy due to the fact that they are both lyrical works and Greek tragic poetry is lyrical.

The opera World Premiered in Montreal’s Cathedral at Notre-Dame Basilica with soloists, choir and large Symphony Orchestra conducted by maestro Andre Gauthier. In Greece the opera was presented at the Old Parliament House of Greece with costumes.

The bel-canto style of the arias and melancholic romanticism raise the work as a major operatic masterpiece of the new era in opera, “an exaltation of lyricism never hear before.” Among with Prometheus and Alexander the Great they contribute as the most important operatic works in Greek history of classical music.
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This is a co-production of the Hellenic American Center of the Arts
http://hellenicamericancenterofthearts.blogspot.com/ and
Porphyra, a Grecian Rock Opera- www.Porphyrarockopera.com.
(Debuting OFF Broadway at the Players Theatre May 13th, 14th, &15th)

Co-sponsors:
Yeoryia Studios
2067 Broadway, NY, NY 10023
www.yeoryiastudios.com

Long Island City Academy of Music
44-02 23rd Street, Long Island City, NY 11101
www.licmusicacademy.com

THE 2016 GREEK PARADE DATE IS SUNDAY APRIL 1OTH.
For information on all the Greek Parade month long festivities and calendar of events please visit: http://www.hellenicsocieties.org/