Irena Athanasiou

Greek mezzo-soprano, she was born in Athens. She studied singing (diploma) and graduated from the Department of Sociology (Panteion University). She also studied piano and advanced music theory at the Apollonio Conservatory, Athens, and attended seminars on drama and cinema direction at the Theatre of Changes and Kostas Kazakos’ Theatre School. She has been cooperating with the Greek National Opera since 2009 in children’s productions (The Tsar Saltan, the Beautiful Tsarevna and the Enchanted Swan, Die Fledermaus, Puss in Boots). Since 2011 she has been a permanent member of the Greek National Opera Chorus. She has performed such roles as Hedda (Hedda Gabler), Flora Bervoix (La traviata), Yelena Popova (The Bear), Dinah (Trouble in Tahiti), Rita (I Want to See the Pope!), Dina (The First Love), Giovanna (Ernani), whilst she sang as a soloist in the chamber opera That Person by Giorgos Dousis. She has taken part in GNO’s artistic events and video performances and has sung in concerts with the Athens Municipality Symphony Orchestra, Athens Phil-harmonia Orchestra at the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation, Onassis Stegi, Gialino UpStage, etc.