LINCOLN CENTER: THE "OLYMPIC FLAME" BY PANAGIOTIS KAROUSOS

THE FEDERATION OF HELLENIC SOCIETIES OF GREATER NEW YORK 

PROUDLY PRESENTS

THE OPERA "OLYMPIC FLAME" BY PANAGIOTIS KAROUSOS

A MODERN MASTERPIECE BASED ON SOPHOCLES' TRAGEDY TRACHINEAE

Internationally acclaimed composer, Panagiotis Karousos, comes to New York for a historic presentation of the first Greek opera at Lincoln Center, to mark the Olympic Games 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.

SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH, 2016 AT 8:00PM

LINCOLN CENTER OF THE PERFORMING ARTS

Bruno Walter Auditorium

111 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10023

Hellenic American Orchestra conducted by Jestin Pieper

Heracles: Demetrios John Tsinopoulos, tenor

Deianira: Elisabeth Shoup, Soprano

Hyllos & Prometheus: Kofi Hayford, bass

Macaria & Iole: Stella Papatheodorou, soprano

Alkmene: Viktoriya Koreneva, mezzo-soprano

Stage director: Eli Markos

Production manager: Billy Chrissochos

THE OLYMPIC FLAME by Panagiotis Karousos
The Olympic Flame (Montreal 2005) is an opera in two acts related to the legend of Heracles and the founding of the Olympic Games.
The Olympic Flame is the second operatic work by Panagiotis Karousos. Along with “Prometheus” (first performed in Greek at the Place des Arts, in June of 1994 and subsequently in its French version in June of 1996) and “Alexander the Great” (Canada 2007) is part of a trilogy depicting the greatness of the human spirit and the humanism of the “Hellenes.” This is stated in the philosophical works of Greek antiquity and clearly indicates that we are all descendants of the culture and civilization of that era.
The opera in its entirety is based on the Olympic flame and as it unfolds gives us the fundamental meaning behind the ancient Greek religious ritual, "for that is what it is". The flame as we know it furring the Olympics is basically a simple commemoration/re-enactment of the flame as was stolen from the Gods by Prometheus and brought to the people. The flame of knowledge, from which civilizations were born. In Greek antiquity it was a religious ritual, with the purpose of bringing of the people closer to the Gods.
Its second act is based on the tragedy “Trachiniæ” by Sophocles. In the Trachiniæ, are described the sufferings of Heracles and the levity of Dëianira, atoned for by her death; “The Olympic Flame” is a presentation of a major work of Greek mythology and philosophy, and in turn its contribution to world civilization.

This is a co-production of the Hellenic American Center of the Arts

http://hellenicamericancenterofthearts.blogspot.com/ and

Porphyra, a Grecian Rock Opera- www.Porphyrarockopera.com.

(Debuting OFF Broadway at the Players Theatre May 13th, 14th, &15th)

Co-sponsors:

Yeoryia Studios

2067 Broadway, NY, NY 10023

www.yeoryiastudios.com

Long Island City Academy of Music

44-02 23rd Street, Long Island City, NY 11101

www.licmusicacademy.com

THE 2016 GREEK PARADE DATE IS SUNDAY APRIL 1OTH.

For information on all the Greek Parade month long festivities and calendar of events please visit: http://www.hellenicsocieties.org/