The Intercultural Orchestra of the GNO joined forces with the Orchestre des Jeunes de la Méditerranée (OJM) of the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence

During the last week of April 2025, the Intercultural Orchestra of the Greek National Opera joined forces with a quintet from the Orchestre des Jeunes de la Méditerranée (OJM) of the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, in a unique musical collaboration that marked the beginning of a long-lasting and fruitful international partnership aimed at exchanging experiences and giving birth to new artistic projects. The OJM quintet was comprised of Fahed Ben Adba, Dalal el Died, Charles Kieny, Giorgos Makopoulos, and Myrsini Pontikopoulou-Venieri.

During their meeting, the two musical ensembles worked on free improvisation and musical communication. In this way, they were able to express themselves without limitations and explore their potential. The two ensembles share a common belief: that music, as a universal language, has the power to act as a bridge for dialogue, mutual understanding, and even social cohesion. Their recent meeting has laid the groundwork for a new and significant collaboration, bringing together musicians from different cultural backgrounds, sparking a fruitful artistic dialogue while strengthening intercultural artistic bonds.

The Intercultural Orchestra of the Greek National Opera is a lively and active musical ensemble that was founded in 2017 as part of the GNO Learning & Participation. It brings together musicians of various backgrounds, creating a space for creative expression open to all. For the past eight years, through collective music-making, the orchestra has explored its own sound, communicating the immediacy and power of music to unite and promote coexistence, collaboration, and inclusion through the richness of its diverse musical directions and timbres.

On the other hand, the Orchestre des Jeunes de la Méditerranée (OJM), with over 40 years of history, is a unique musical force supporting the artistic development of talented young people from across the Mediterranean region. Focused on intercultural dialogue and the connection of different cultures, the OJM transcends the boundaries of the traditional orchestra, incorporating elements from the cultural heritage of Mediterranean peoples, collective compositions, improvisation, oral tradition, and symphonic writing.

A few words from Harris Lambrakis

The three days we spent with the OJM quintet and Fabrizio Cassol were truly unique and deeply refreshing for all of us. Once again, we felt the power of communication and music, we experienced the closeness of Mediterranean traditions, and we broadened our horizons with an unprecedented sense of natural familiarity and trust. We feel grateful for all of this and hope there will be a continuation.

GNO Learning & Participation Lead Donor