Medea

Lead Donor of the GNO

Major sponsor

The Greek National Opera revives Cherubini’s opera Medea at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, sixty-five years after the legendary 1961 production featuring Maria Callas in the title role, directed by Alexis Minotis, with sets and costumes designed by Yannis Tsarouchis, and choreography by Maria Hors.

In the context of the 2025/26 season’s thematic axis, which explores the concept of “the opera of the future that arises from the womb of the past”, the Greek National Opera decides to revive the 1961 Medea production, using contemporary materials. Through director Alexis Minotis’ notebooks, Tsarouchis’ designs, and the rich photographic material surviving from Callas’ iconic performances in Epidaurus, an attempt will be made to recreate the original production as it was conceived and presented by those legendary artists who have left their mark on Greek culture.

In 1961, Maria Callas accepted the invitation from Costis Bastias, the founding Director of the Greek National Opera, to perform as Medea at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, a year after her first appearance at the Argolic theatre in Norma. Medea –which Cherubini first presented in Paris in 1797– is one of the operas that Callas had already reintroduced to the 20th-century audience since 1953 in Florence. When, in 1958, the newly founded opera in Dallas commissioned her for a new production of Medea, Callas requested that it be directed by Alexis Minotis, a Greek director associated with ancient Greek tragedy like no other. Despite his initial hesitations, due to his lack of experience in opera, and thanks to the persistence of the leading Greek actress Katina Paxinou, Minotis accepted. He also proposed the renowned Greek painter Yannis Tsarouchis as the set and costume designer. The Dallas premiere was met with unprecedented success, with rave reviews speaking of a “supernatural yet at the same time humane Callas,” “a rejuvenating air of Minotis’ staging” and “the 130 unique costumes by Tsarouchis, made in Greece.” In 1959, the dream team of contemporary Greek culture presented Medea at the Royal Opera House in London, and on 6 and 13 August 1961, the production arrived at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.

For the open-air space of Epidaurus, Minotis recrafted the direction, wanting, as he had said, to “recover as much as possible the function of the myth according to the ancient model without, however, neglecting the famous composer’s music not for the least.” At the same time, Tsarouchis adapted the set and created new costumes for the overall 250 people present on stage. The performances in Epidaurus were conducted by Nicola Rescigno. Alongside Callas performed Giuseppe Modesti, Soula Glantzi, Jon Vickers, Kiki Morfoniou, Yorgos Zakkas, Angeliki Drakopoulou, and Anna Maragaki. The cycle of this legendary production concluded in 1962 at La Scala in Milan, where the demanding audience gave a standing ovation not only to Maria Callas –in her final performance of this role– but also to the entire production team.

Following the closure of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus for restoration work, the GNO continues the great tradition of summer opera productions, this time at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, 65 years after it last presented an opera there and for the first time in the 21st century.

After enhancing the GNO archive with new collections, photographs, and rare records, having a significant number of Tsarouchis’ costumes restored by the GNO Costume Department, and ensuring collaboration with the National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation’s Greek Literary and Historical Archive, as well as with the Minotis – Paxinou archive, the Artistic Director of the GNO, Giorgos Koumendakis, is forming a new creative team that will revive the production through a thorough exploration of the surviving material, offering contemporary audiences a rare opportunity to be introduced to a landmark work of Greek culture. The dozens of surviving costumes designed by Tsarouchis, this distinguished visual artist of the 20th century, are unique works of art that represent an exceptional instance of incorporating ancient Greek art into his timeless and unsurpassable aesthetic.

Performing the title role will be the renowned Italian dramatic soprano Anna Pirozzi. The creative team, cast, and conductor will be announced shortly.