Musical Narrations

GNO Learning & Participation Lead Donor & Tour Programme Donor

Musical Narrations is funded by the Ministry of Culture, as part of the work “Sub 1.1.6 Attracting individuals aged 65 and over and individuals with disabilities to events of the Greek National Opera,” which is implemented as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan “Greece 2.0” with funds from the European Union – NextGenerationEU.

Musical Narrations invites children and grown-ups, from 7 to 107 years old, on a unique journey through the magical world of fairy tales. Music and storytelling performances, accompanied by traditional songs and melodies from all corners of the earth, draw upon stories from old storytellers to spread laughter, emotion, and valuable folk wisdom teachings.  The first Musical Narration, titled Stories That Make You Cry or Laugh, brings to life myths from faraway times and places – from ancient mythology to the African jungles and the Haida Gwaii islands – through music and imagination, intertwining the familiar with the weird and transforming darkness into light. The tour of the performances is part of the programme “The GNO Tours Greece,” which is made possible by a grant from the Stravros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) [www.SNF.org] to enhance the Greek National Opera’s artistic outreach.

 Without sets or theatrical tricks and using only the power of speech, interaction, and live music, these narrations create a world where giants turn into earth, birds have flown before the world was created, romances produce troublesome children, and stories become experiences. With instruments like the oud, trumpet, accordion, Constantinopolitan lyre, kalimba, flutes, and violoncello, the team crafts soundscapes that take us into the magic of myths, make us laugh, move us, and let us travel without leaving our seats.