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 tyrannic 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.