Opera Workshop

The extraordinary and unique Ancient theater of Egeira only 35 km from our Hellenikon Idyllion

If you are interested in rehearsing surrounded by idyllic and beautiful nature and gaining new experiences under the direction of a famous conductor, appearing on several of the Ancient Greek theatre stages, getting a very close experience of Ancient Greek culture, making new and creative acquaintances, picking any kind of grapes for free and refreshing yourself in the nearby sea over and over again, you should come to the “Hellenikon Idyllion”.

Are you a music student, an advanced and keen amateur musician or an ensemble looking

for an extraordinary musical experience?

The HELLENIKON IDYLLION, www.idyllion.gr the musical and cultural venue directly located at the beach of the north- west coast of the Peloponnese is offering a support program. Our aim will be to rehearse the unique and challenging opera “Helike Athanatos”, dedicated to the lost ancient city of Helike. After ten days of practice we will premiere at several Ancient Greek theaters.

The libretto is written in Ancient Greek and the plot is set in the Ancient period. The storyline features on the one hand a couple in love, who survives the earthquake and devastating destruction of their home town as well as the loss of all the other inhabitants. On the other hand, the Ancient symposium culture and the theme of eternal love are main subjects of the first part.

The dramatically turning point of the opera is the time shift to the future – our present – when a team of archaeologists is searching for the sunken city after 2500 years time. The excavation is interrupted by a second earthquake, not as heavy as the first one, which demolishes an earth wall exactly in that area where the archaeologists are searching. It uncovers a great part of the ruins of the temple and finally the statue of the god Poseidon as well. The success of the interminable excavation attempts is achieved: The whole site is being excavated. The opera ends in a grand and triumphal celebration in honor of the archeology and immortal love at the place of discovery with choral singing as well as new and old Greek dances.

By forming a contrast between the Ancient, fictitious story of the town on the one hand and on the other hand the modern, scientific excavation work, the exciting libretto is characterized. Featuring a dedication to the honor of archeology by the discovering of Helike and the integrated personal destiny of a couple, whose romance outlasts the events of the last centuries, the opera has a moving and fascinating story, carried by a great music.

The songs and choruses in Ancient Greek and the presentation of the ancient symposium allow an insight into the beauty of this language and the impressive power of the free spirit. For overcoming language barriers and to enable you to present the opera in different languages, the libretto is provided in English, German and Ancient Greek, using the Latin alphabet including phonetic transcription. No knowledge of Ancient Greek is therefore requested. Please see our website for further, more detailed information: hellenikon@idyllion.gr

Vocalists, who are interested, will get their study score in phonetic form by written in the Latin alphabet and additionally several important voice recordings of the play.

For the realization of this unique project, together with our new Hellenikon Idyllion festival choir and orchestra, we are looking for musicians playing the typical instruments of a symphony orchestra ranging from the harp and piccolo over bass clarinet, contrabassoon, percussion instruments, block instruments, marimba, thunder sheet to lauto, bouzouki, santouri, violins, vocalists and soloists.

The opera workshop, headed by the famous conductor Alois Springer http://www.alois-springer.de will take place at our rehearsal stages in our 4300 Sq Ft garden surrounded by grapevines and fruit trees free to pick. As a member of the orchestra or choir you will pay a contribution for expenses the amount of € 250. Upon successful completion of the opera workshop you will have the opportunity to stay a third week for free.

Accommodation at the Hellenikon Idyllion is in shared rooms (3 to 4 people), with self-catering in the contained kitchenette. Two day trips and three dinners after the performances are included in the price of € 250.

By request we could book a double room (€ 570 per person for two weeks stay) or a single room (€ 720 for two weeks stay) in a nearby hotel for you. Breakfast and the participation in the opera workshop are included.

If you are interested please send information of your past musical development by e-mail.
Application forms can be received on demand by Andreas Drekis: e-mail hellenikon@idyllion.gr or telephone: 0030/2691072488.

After your successful application, we will send you the study score, which is required for the participation in the opera workshop.

If you are unable to attend in person this year, but are interested in the participation in the opera workshop in September 2012, we kindly request you to let us know non-committal so that next year’s information can be send to you in good time.

We are looking forward to your application and towards successful and exciting cooperation!

if I was free during august and september I definitely would participate in this project! Because the place is magic . And swimming and music besides a sunny beach might is the best

way to enjoy holidays - at least for me.

That is why I send this invitation to as many musicians as possible- of course in bcc.

The project needs all orchestra instruments and singers. Please give the invitation to your own friends, too.

Once you will have been to Hellenikon Idyllion with a music project, singing ore making music - especially in this time of the year - you'll probably never forget.

I can tell that because I enjoyed it last year with friends studying and performing "Le nozze di Figaro " - kind of a life event!