The opera TRACHINIAE by Panagiotis Karousos at “ALEXANDREIO” Conference Center of Loutraki

The opera TRACHINIAE by Panagiotis Karousos from Lincoln Center of New York to “ALEXANDREIO” Conference Center of Loutraki, Greece

Thursday, February 7, 2019. The Department of School Activities of the Directorate of Secondary Education of Corinthia Region, Greece, with the cooperation of the High School of Loutraki and High School of Perahora, presented in a training educational program the opera "Trachiniae" by Sophocles, set to music by P. Karousos and directed by Irini Konsta, at the “Alexandreio Conference Center” of Loutraki Municipality.

The opera organized and coordinated by Tsapalou Anastasia, Musician, Head of the Corinthian Region School Activities, and was a triumph for the Education and Art.

The opera was directed by the great soprano of the lyrical theater Irini Konsta, who starred in the tragic role of Deianira, creating great enthusiasm to the students who literally loved her.

The unique bass Vasilis Asimakopoulos, interpreted the roles of Hercules and the Hyllus with his incomparable theatrical presence and rich voice.

The excellent soprano Mariza Kioseoglou sang the role of Ioli and enthused the public in the role of Makaria especially in the very popular duet "Hyllos and Makaria", with bass Vasilis Asimakopoulos.

The dramatic tenor Theodoros Birakos performed very well the role of Eurystheus, and with bass Vasilis Asimakopoulos laid the audience in the duo "Hercules and Eurystheus".

The theatrical mezzo Maira Georgarou interpreted the role of Alkmini.

The excellent Pianist Pandelis Legakis accompanied the performers and had the musical direction of the opera at the piano.

The opera included the Orchestra Ensemble of the Corinth Philharmonic under the supervision and teaching of Maestro Glykeria Moraitakis, with the worthy musicians: Saxophone: Glykeria Moraitaki (direction of the music ensemble), Sax Alto: Sofia Sapera - Nikos Kyriakopoulos. Sax Soprano: Stella Moraiti, Sax Tenor: Irina Loucu, Flute: Christina Athanassiou, Zacharoula Sapera. Clarinet: Chrysa Balafa - Galini Vasilopoulou - Anna Dafni - Giannis Filis. Trombones: Roussis Sotiris - Saperas Antonis. Percussion: Gino Arigoni - Nefeli Anastasopoulou - Dimitris Stratoudakis.

Also, at the opera participated the Theatre Group of the Loutraki High School, that was directed by Assimina Psaraftis. Pythia: Sofia Vasikeri. Chorus: Tzina Koliou, Anna Glykofrydis, Vassiliki Zuborli, Maria Kokologianni, Christina Rekelti, Marianna Fourla, Maria Rati, Anastasia Kalese. Coryphaea: Tzina Koliou. Athletes: Thanasis Rekouniotis, Christos Rapanos. Singer: Anastasia Kalesi. Violin: Christos Rapanos. Choir: Athena Silevista, Eleonora Lamai, Georgia Ptochou, Dimitra Mitsi, Stavroula Douni, Eftyhia Saridis, Antonia-Elizabeth Davis, Slama Maria, Nareunate Abadona, Marilla Georgiou, Kyriaki Stroubou, Evangelia Stamoulis, Marianna Forti, Ioanna Petrou.

The impressive and elaborate theatrical teaching-directing-movement was by Asimina Psarafti, the Music Teaching by Elizabeth Petropoulou, the Stage by Vasilis Kapsis, and Tragedy Teaching by Georgia Vasilopoulou.

The opera was organized by Tsapalou Anastasia, Musician, Head of the Corinthian School of Activities, who conveyed the congratulatory message of Dr. Ioannis Fidas, Director of Secondary Education Department of the Ministry of Education of Greece for Corinthia Region, Kikera Aikaterini, Director of Loutraki High School, and composer Panagiotis Karousos.

Greeting was given by Giorgos Tsogas, MP of SYRIZA of Corinthia, who congratulated organizers, lyric artists, school students and composer Panagiotis Karousos, stressing that the contribution of culture in Education contributes to the qualitative upgrading of education and offers universal values.

Tzimou Stella, Chief of Economic Affairs of Secondary Education Department of Corinthia, Vegiris Christos, Head of Informatics of Secondary Education Department of Corinthia, Stamou Panagiota, Director of Perahora High School, Nikos Panousopoulos, Associate of the Corinthian School Activities, Sofia Thomas-Tsoga, musician, husband of Giorgos Tsogas, Dr. Tonia Tzianavara, Head of Culture of Corinth, Archaeologist - Art Historian, Pelopidas Mavropoulos, Clarinetist and Director of the Loutraki-Perahora Philharmonic, Anastasia Xydi, Director of the Second Primary School of Corinth, Yannis Aikaterinis, journalist, Nikos Glezos, technician of the theatre, and Konstantina Stathi, director of the Alexandreio Conference Center of the Municipality of Loutraki.

The performance was dedicated to General George Tsapalos, father of Anastasia Tsapalou, who recently died, and who always supported culture and education.

The students who had flooded the crowded room were amazed by the opera and clapped incessantly.

The opera "Trachiniae" by P. Karousos was the first Greek opera ever seen at Lincoln Center, under the name of “Olympic Flame”, New York, March 26, 2016.