La bohème

GNO Lead donor

Accepting the invitation from the Greek National Opera’s then artistic Director, Stefanos Lazaridis, back in 2007 the famed British director Graham Vick devised a version of La Bohème set in modern-day Athens, transporting Puccini’s beloved opera from 19th century Paris to 21st century Exarchia. The faces of the four ambitious young artists and their camaraderie are known to all. Their problems, concerns, jokes were run of the mill back then; they remain so even today. Rodolfo’s ill-fated love for Mimi assumes an unexpected tragic dimension given that their tale could be played out in the apartment right next door; right among us.
Vick’s version of La Bohème returns to Athens as part of a tribute to the great Greek director and set designer, Stefanos Lazaridis, whose term as the Greek National Opera’s artistic director was critical in improving the quality of the organization’s operatic offerings.
The leading British director, Graham Vick, will be in Athens to work on the revival of the work, seeking out the bohemian friends in the current age, and in effect creating a new version of the production 10 years after its original presentation at Olympia Theatre. Internationally renowned Greek soprano Myrtò Papatanasiu makes her debut in the title role.