GREECE: 'THE SIEGE OF CORINTH' OPERA STAGED ON THE VERY SPOT WHERE THE SIEGE TOOK PLACE IN THE GREEK TOWN

Record ID: 392838

  • Title: GREECE: 'THE SIEGE OF CORINTH' OPERA STAGED ON THE VERY SPOT WHERE THE SIEGE TOOK PLACE IN THE GREEK TOWN
  • Date: 23rd June 2002
  • Summary: MCU (GREEK) KARYTINOS SAYING, We chose the biggest names in opera known for Rossini's works. Rossini had a certain style and not every singer can sing his style. So we chose the very best in the world who are Rossini specialists.
  • Embargoed: 8th July 2002 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: CORINTH, GREECE
  • Country: Greece
  • Topics: Arts,General
  • Reuters ID: LVAIOQD2T5EAMS8BHFYFZKO5CHN
  • Story Text: Conquering Ottoman Turks have laid siege to the Greek town of Corinth for the second time in more than 500 years, but this time on stage, as international opera greats re-enacted for the first time Rossini's famous opera The Siege of Corinth on the very spot where the siege took place in the Greek town.
    Organisers call it an unparalleled mega-production with opera greats known for their speciality in Rossini works.
    Greece's National Opera Company recreated Antonio Gioacchino Rossini's famous opera of the historical event on the archaeological site inside ancient Corinth town on the spot the siege took place in 1459.
    The columns of the real ancient city stood next to the temporary theatre, as Corinth, with the help of special effects, light and smoke, once again burned in flames on the recreated elaborate set on stage.
    It is the first time the opera has been staged outside, on the very place the attack took place, and it required building the theatre from scratch.
    The work has been performed many times. But it is the first time in the history of this work it is being performed in the place where the event happened, said Greece's National Opera Company Director Loukas Karytinos. "We also wanted to honour Rossini, who with this work he showed great Philhellenism", he added.
    Rossini, best known for the Barber of Seville, staged the work in Paris in 1826 to roaring success, and it was considered to be a first in Romantic opera. Rossini had chosen a poignant political time to stage the opera, as Europeans supported the Greek struggle at that time for independence from the Ottomans after 400 years of rule. Poet Lord Byron, who later died fighting for Greek independence, wrote a poem about the siege of Corinth.
    The plot centres around the attack of Corinth by Ottoman Turks in 1459 led by Mohammed II. Pamira, daughter of Cleomene, the ruler of Corinth, betrothed to an officer named Neocle, has unknowingly fallen in love with Mohammed, unaware of his identity. When she discovers her lover is the conqueror of her city she is torn between feelings of love and patriotism and escapes Mohammed with the help of Neocle. When Mohammed comes to take her back by force she stabs herself in front of him as Corinth burns to the ground, conquered by the Turks.
    Karytinos said reknown opera singers known especially for Rossini operas were chosen.
    We chose the biggest names in opera known for Rossini's works. Rossini had a certain style and not every singer can sing his style. So we chose the very best in the world who are Rossini specialists.
    The cast includes international opera stars led by Italian soprano Luciana Serra as Pamira. Serra, one of the world's finest singers, has performed in all the great opera houses of the world and in film, with other opera greats such as Placido Domingo.
    Other well known names include Ildar Abdrazakov as Mohammed II, Daniela Barcellona as Neocle, Gregory Kunde as Cleomene.
    What makes the performance exceptional is not only the remnants of the actual ancient town and theatre lying beside the built theatre, but the elaborate set recreations of the city, and costumes, both designed by Greek Nikos Petropulos.
    The costumes were made by Italian fashion house Arrigo, while the armour and weapons were provided by Rancatti in Milan, responsible for films such as the Gladiator and The English Patient.
    Karytinos said it was a gigantic task to create the theatre and set, between finding the perfect location next to the archaeological site to the actual building and design.
    Stage front are the towering buildings of the senate, intricate in their architectural design, while in the background the fortress wall surrounds classical buildings of the city, which in the last scene erupt in a mix of smoke and light as they burn to the ground.
    An international audience packed the 3,000 seat theatre to view the two solitary performances, including many Corinthians.
    The work is a co-production with the Cultural Olympiad, (cultural performances for the 2004 Olympics), and is one of three operas that the National Opera has decided to stage in its original setting. The company will also stage Richard Stauss' Ariadne auf Naxos on Naxos island, and Mozart's Idomeneo based in the ancient city of Knossos, on Crete.
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