One extra performance of Mikis Theodorakis’ Epitaph to poetry by Yannis Ritsos at the Acropolis Museum (courtyard) on Holy Wednesday 20 April at 20.00

One extra performance of Mikis Theodorakis and Yannis Ritsos’ emblematic work Epitaph will be held at the courtyard of the Acropolis Museum on Holy Wednesday 20 April 2022 at 20.00, as part of the 1st Sacred Music Festival, with free admission.

The 1st Sacred Music Festival –a co-production of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, the GNO and Eurolife FFH– was successfully launched on Holy Monday, with 15 sacred music concerts at 11 historical landmarks of Athens. The Festival continues today, Holy Tuesday, and tomorrow, Holy Wednesday. Despite the rainy weather, thousands of Athenians and visitors of Athens attended the Festival’s musical relay race –curated by Giorgos Koumendakis–, taking part in an unprecedented immersive experience in the streets of Plaka and the centre of Athens.

Due to the rain, only one of two scheduled performances of Mikis Theodorakis’ Epitaph at the Acropolis Museum courtyard took place on the evening of Holy Monday, at 20.30. In Yannis Belonis’ singular arrangement for small musical ensemble, chorus and soloist, conducted by Stathis Soulis, distinguished Greek singer Natassa Bofiliou made her much-awaited debut in Mikis Theodorakis’ work gaining a thunderous applause by the audience. Alongside her, the exceptional vocal ensemble chórεs.

Epitaph will be performed once again at the Acropolis Museum on Holy Wednesday 20 April at 20.00. Admission is free to the public.

Thus the schedule on Holy Wednesday 20/4 is as follows:

• Katalogi 

17.00, 18.00, 19.00 - Μuseum of Greek Folk Musical Instruments “Fivos Anoyanakis” – Centre for Ethnomusicology

• My eyes, eyes

17.00, 18.00, 19.00 - Paul & Alexandra Canellopoulos Museum

• Dies iræ – Transcendence and worship in the Middle Ages

17.00, 18.00, 19.00 - Fethiye Mosque (Roman Agora)

• 15 Vespers

17.00 και 18.00 - Acropolis Museum (courtyard)

• Sacred music works for piano – Part I

18.00 – Parnassos Literary Society  

• Radiant soul

18.00 και 19.00 - Acropolis Museum (entrance level)

• Lament and the metaphysical element in 20th-century music 

18.00 και 19.00 - Athens University History Museum

• Birch trees 

19.00, 20.00 και 21.00 - Bathhouse of the Winds

• Epitaph

20.00 - Acropolis Museum (courtyard)

Sacred music works for piano – Part II 

20.00 - Parnassos Literary Sociery

• ΜεῙΖοΝ Ensemble

 21.30 - Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens 

• Hellenic Navy Band

22.15 - Starting point: Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens Square - Stop: Church of the Archangels and the Virgin Mary Gregorousa - End: Monastiraki Square 

• Papadiamantis – The memory of the righteous is a blessing 

22.30 Church of St Elissaios – Museum of Modern Greek Culture (courtyard)

Find the Festival’s detailed programme at www.nationalopera.gr/en & digitalculture.gov.gr