Athens State Orchestra - Stefanos Tsialis

Beethoven 250 Years
Works by Beethoven and Shostakovich

Even though this year’s unexpectedly disruptive pandemic stalled all worldwide celebrations for the 250 years since Beethoven’s birth, the Athens State Orchestra, under the baton of its artistic director, distinguished conductor Stefanos Tsialis, will emphatically remind us of this major anniversary, presenting two masterworks of the great German classical composer.

The short but very dynamic Introduction of the ballet The Creatures of Prometheus (1801), with its ancient Greek themes, will open the evening programme, vividly portraying the titular, mythical Titan as an agent of knowledge and enlightenment for the human race. Symphony No. 7 (1812), an “apotheosis of dance” as aptly called by Wagner, expresses a triumphal affirmation of life, through ideal musical means, in a timeless, topical and universal manner. In between the two Beethoven works, the flourishing, exceptionally talented pianist Alexia Mouza will perform Shostakovich’s electrifying Piano Concerto No. 1, in which a biting, often teasing modernist sensibility is masterfully combined with a genuine, touching sentimentalism.

 

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)

The Creatures of Prometheus, Introduction, Op. 43

Dmitri Shostakovich (1906 - 1975)

Concerto in C minor for Piano, Trumpet, and String Orchestra, Op. 35

Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92




The Athens & Epidaurus Festival will be realised in compliance with the special directives issued by the Ministry of Health, with consideration for public health and a sense of responsibility towards the public and artists.

Audiences are kindly requested to arrive at the venue 90’ prior to the start of the performance, to avoid inconvenience, in compliance with the health authorities’ instructions.

All seats (upper and lower tier) are numbered.

All tickets are strictly personal and non-transferable.

During ticket purchase, the name of the person using the specific ticket must be submitted.

Please read about the special protection measures adopted by the Festival with regard to COVID-19