10 May Athens & Epidaurus Festival 2018
The festival is best-known for its ancient venues, namely the amphitheatre of Epidaurus and Athens’ 2nd century BC Odeon of Herodes Atticus; both open-air.
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is located within the archaeological site of the Sanctuary of Asklepios in the Peloponnese, which is only a 30m drive from picturesque Nafplio and a 2h drive from Athens, whereas the Odeon of Herodes Atticus lies beneath the Acropolis Hill dominating the western end of its southern slope.
Since its inception in 1955, the Athens and Epidaurus Festival has staged world class performances by internationally acclaimed artists spanning across all fields of performing arts; among them some of the biggest names in music, theatre and dance, including – to name but a few – Frank Sinatra, Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti, Martha Graham and Rudolf Nureyev.
So, it comes as no surprise that this year’s Athens and Epidaurus Festival also boasts an impressive lineup! The festival’s 2018 edition includes world-famous Greek singer Nana Mouskouri, Italian orchestra Il Pomo d’ Oro, Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, British violinist Nigel Kennedy, American actor Bill Murray, rock musician Sting and many more.
The Athens leg of the festival opens at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus with Verdi’s “Nabucco” on June 1st and closes with Bizet’s “Carmen” on July 31st, whereas the Epidaurus leg of the festival kicks off on June 29th with Aristophanes’ “The Acharnians” and closes on August 18th with Sophocles’ “Oedipus at Colonus”.
In between and for over a month several classic works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes will be presented every Friday and Saturday at the Epidaurus amphitheatre.
All performances have English subtitles unless otherwise stated. Lastly, Athens’s Pireos 260 venue – another iconic venue of the festival – will be hosting contemporary Greek and international plays. Its inaugural performance is “The Pursuit of Happiness” by the US-based Nature Theatre of Oklahoma on June 1st.
For more information please visit the official site of Athens & Epidaurus Festival or their Facebook page.
