OPERA IN THE STREET

The Greek National Opera’s production of Aida hit the streets this afternoon, just after a press conference held at the foyer of the Olympia Theatre. It was a pleasant surprise for passers-by in downtown Athens, who were treated to the famed “Triumphal March” performed by the GNO’s small band, playing on a red double-decker bus and touring the streets of Athens dressed in the colours of our production of Aida.

The bus set off from the Olympia Theatre and took in Parliament on Syntagma Square, the Maximos Mansion government headquarters, the Presidential Mansion, Rigillis Street, the Ministry of Finance on Karagiorgis Servias Street, the General Accounting Office on Panepistimiou Street, the GNO headquarters further down and, finally, Athens City Hall on Kotzia Square.

The band received a warm welcome by the Greek president, who appeared on his balcony and waved to the musicians.

This initiative was a first for the GNO and it was aimed at attracting residents who have never stepped across the threshold of the GNO or who are unaware of its activities and projects to get a small taste of what it has to offer.

 “AIDA” at Herodeion tonight and tomorrow at 21:00.

 For tickets:  tel.no 2103612461

Athens, 14 July 2010

At 14:30 hours on Wednesday, 14 July H.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Karolos Papoulias, gave an audience to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Greek National Opera, Mr. Nikos Mourkogiannis.

When leaving the Presidential Mansion after his private meeting with the President of the Republic, Mr. Mourkogiannis made the following statement:

“I had the honour of briefing the President of the Republic about the current state of the Greek National Opera and about the progress of the restructuring plan.

The President of the Republic informed the Chairman of the GNO’s Board of Directors, Mr. Nikos Mourkogiannis, that he would be attending the premier of the opera, Aida, which will take place on Friday, 23 July 2010, on the eve of the anniversary of Greece’s return to democracy.

From the GNO Press Office