The time has come for the Greek Festival (Athens and Epidaurus) 2012. In its 57th edition this year, the Festival kicks off on June 8, with the Venice Baroque Orchestra, conducted by Markellos Chrysikopoulos, performing the opera L’Olimpiade, at the Onassis Cultural Centre and the Swiss comic duo Zimmermann & de Perrot, with Hans Was Heiri, at Peiraios 260 venue.

The programme continues with the Greek National Opera, performing, Il Trovatore, conducted by Lucas Karytinos, at the Herod Atticus Odeon, on June 10. Theatre, dance and music performances by local and foreign troupes feature in the festival’s two-month programme.

This annual event has for the last 6 decades been a constant feature of the Greek summer and of the daily life of Athenians as well as visitors to the city.

It takes place in several venues around Athens -most prominent of which are the Herod Atticus Odeon and the ancient Epidaurus Theatre- and lasts for 2 months (June-July).