Alternative Stage

Community and Creation Days

May - June 2027

Information

Δημιουργική Ομάδα

Artistic curator of Community and Creation Days: Eva Karterou in collaboration with the GNO Learning & Participation team

The Learning & Participation Department of the Greek National Opera will announce open calls for participation in all educational programmes and workshops for the 2026/27 season.

Alternative Stage

Festival

Community and Creation Days

Available Dates

08, 09, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 May 2027
01, 02, 03, 04, 05 Jun 2027

GNO Alternative Stage – SNFCC

Performances for schools: 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21 May 2027 • Starts at: 10.30
Performances for the whole family: 15, 16, 22, 23 May 2027 • Starts at: 10.30 & 12.30

Performances for schools: 26, 27, 28 May & 1, 2, 3, 4 June 2027 •
Performances for the whole family: 29, 30 May, 5 June 2027 • Starts at: 10.00 & 11.30

YPPO RGB GR

Alternative Stage Founding Donor

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Major Sponsor of the Greek National Opera

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The Alternative Stage welcomes Community and Creation Days by the GNO Learning & Participation Department, a diverse cycle of events aimed at all kinds of audiences. A series of music theatre and dance performances, concerts, interactive children’s productions, participatory events, and educational programme presentations invites audiences to engage in creation, participation and free expression for an entire month, highlighting the breadth and momentum of projects developed by the GNO Learning & Participation Department.

Centered on incorporating accessibility practices in line with the principles of relaxed performances for the 2026/27 season, the year-long programme emphasizes a commitment to art that is open, inclusive, and accessible to everyone. Standing out among the productions are Camille Saint-Saëns' The Carnival of The Animals and a new performance featuring music by Fotis Siotas, as part of the award-winning intercultural educational programme, Co-OPERAtive. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) is the Lead Donor of the GNO Learning & Participation Department.

Music theatre
Benjamin Britten
The Little Sweep
Performances for schools: 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21 May 2027 • Starts at: 10.30
Performances for the whole family: 15, 16, 22, 23 May 2027 • Starts at: 10.30 & 12.30
GNO Alternative Stage – SNFCC
Translation: Giorgos Tsaknias • Conductor: Kyriaki Kountouri • Director: Sofia Paschou

The emblematic children’s opera The Little Sweep (1949) by English composer Benjamin Britten is coming to the GNO Alternative State, translated by Giorgos Tsaknias, conducted by Kyriaki Kountouri, and directed by Sofia Paschou. The story follows little Sam, a boy who works as a chimney sweeper in the early 19^th century. The performance will feature children and teenagers who will have participated in an introductory opera and music theatre educational event of the same name, giving them the opportunity to share the stage with professional opera singers.

Ticket prices on weekends: €12, €15 • Students, children: €10 | Daily performances for schools: €10 | Tickets on sale from: 5/1/27

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Camille Saint-Saëns
The Carnival of the Animals
Performances for schools: 26, 27, 28 May & 1, 2, 3, 4 June 2027 • Performances for the whole family: 29, 30 May, 5 June 2027 • Starts at: 10.00 & 11.30 | GNO Alternative Stage – SNFCC
Orchestration: Apostolis Koutsogiannis • Choreography: Dimitris Mytilineos • Set design: Loukas Bakas • Lighting design: Stefanos Drousiotis • Musical performance: Oros Ensemble

One of the most beloved works in the symphonic repertoire for children, The Carnival of the Animals (1886), by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns, will be presented for infants, preschoolers, and primary school children, as well as for the whole family. This imaginative musical suite, which brings the animal world to life through humor, imagination, and unique melodies, offers a first introduction to live music and the performing arts. Designed in line with the principles of relaxed performances, the morning performances on Saturday, the 29th, and Sunday, the 30th of May 2027, will be held at reduced capacity to ensure optimal conditions for a fully accessible and comfortable experience for all audience members.

Ticket prices on weekends: €12, €15 • Students, children: €10 | Daily performances for schools: €10 | Tickets on sale from: 5/1/27

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Music theatre
Giorgos Kassavetis
The Cat
29, 30 May 2027 • Starts at: 19.00 | GNO Alternative Stage – SNFCC
As part of the educational programme for Primary Schools 3^rd Bell Opera

Concept, composition, musical direction: Giorgos Kassavetis • Lyrics, texts: Giorgos Kassavetis, Sofia Gretsi • Educational team – animators: Giorgos Kassavetis, Alexandros Dandoulakis, Eirini Tzamtzi, Eirini Dimaki

The Cat by Giorgos Kassavetis is a work based on a folk fairy tale from Eastern Thrace – a traditional, adventurous variation of the famous story of Puss in Boots. Through play and creative expression, students and educators will be introduced to the world of music theatre and present the fruits of their shared work.

The 3rd Bell Opera is sponsored by Piraeus Bank. This support is part of Piraeus Bank’s Corporate Responsibility Programme, EQUALL, specifically the events aimed at enhancing the Younger Generation’s access to Culture.

Educational programme sponsor: Piraeus Bank