2000 Opera Aegean
Artistic
Staff
Peter Tiboris, General Director and
Music Director
Sherrill Milnes, Artistic
Director
Carol Castel, Staging Director
Nicolas Di Virgilio, Master
Teacher and Coach
Maria Zouves, Artist-in-Residence
Jonathan Griffith, Chorusmaster
Manolis Papasifakis, Principal
Coach and Accompanist
A
Brief Summary
On
Tuesday, July 11, 2000, 21 artists from around
the world, and an artistic and administrative
staff of 15, converged in Athens, Greece, at the
Esperia Palace Hotel, near Syntagma Square - the
heart of the city. That evening the company was
treated by Mr. Tiboris, General Director of Opera
Aegean, to a welcome dinner complete with live
music. From July 12 through July 20, the company
was kept busy with musical coachings, stagings
and rehearsals throughout the day. In addition
to rehearsals of two performance programs were
one-on-one coachings with staff and accompanists,
as well as a public master class at Nakkas Conservatory.
Press conferences were held at the Hellenic American
Union and at Aegli, Zappion Gardens.
The
artists also enjoyed a tour to the Acropolis,
compliments of Opera Aegean, and attended a concert
by Placido Domingo at the Irodion Theatre at the
base of the Acropolis. After the performance,
the group went backstage to meet privately with
Mr. Domingo. A few nights later, as guests of
Mikis Theodorakis (composer of Zorba the Greek),
the group attended an outdoor evening of drama
and music at Lykavitos.
The performance portion of the tour began on July
21, with a private performance at the Hellenic
American Union. The next evening, the troupe appeared
at Aegli - Zappion, Athens's public gardens, in
front of a very large and receptive audience.
On July 23, Opera Aegean departed for the beautiful
island of Paros, appearing in the courtyard of
the Church of 99 Doors. While on Paros, the company
was treated to a sumptuous dinner after the concert,
overlooking the Aegean Sea. During Opera Aegean's
visit, there were "informal chats" with
the artistic staff, and the opportunity to sightsee
and relax at the beach.
On July 25, the troupe departed for the island
of Andros for two performances at the Municipal
Theatre. Seats were sold out immediately for both
performances. During their stay in Andros, the
artists enjoyed one-on-one coachings with the
artistic staff, as well as group master classes.
Artists were also the guests of the sponsor for
two wonderful meals: On the first evening, company
members met with important supporters of the program,
and on the second evening, the group gathered
on the beach and enjoyed the beautiful sights
and local food.
On July 28, the company returned to Athens for
several days of one-on-one coachings and two appearances
at Aegli, Zappion Public Gardens. On July 31,
as Opera Aegean traveled to Aegion, the company
stopped at the ancient city of Corinth for a tour,
compliments of the Opera Aegean. On August 1,
Opera Aegean gave its final performance at Ionian
Village; the performance was attended by important
officials from Aegion at the Melina Mercouri Archeological
Museum. The program ended on August 2 in Athens.
All were given the opportunity to summarize the
summer with food, wine, and song, before departing
for home on August 3.
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