O P E R A

Die Fledermaus, the most popular operetta penned by Johann Strauss II and the first that was staged by the Greek National Opera back in 1940, returns in a new production. A light-hearted piece with plenty of humour and plot twists, it is defined by the majestic music of royal Vienna. The GNO’s new production, premiered on February 28, will again be performed in Greek, but this time with a new translation of both the prose and the lyrics by Dimitris Dimopoulos. Alexandros Efklidis, who has produced several successful operetta revivals already, transports the action to the Athens bourgeoisie of the 1960s.

Picnic the Operetta by Theofrastos Sakellaridis (a leading Greek operetta composer), written in 1915, is staged at the Athens Concert Hall, until February 28. The famous waltz "Hold me tight" and other wonderful melodies by Sakellaridis bring to life all the carefree charm of the Athenian Belle Époque. The acclaimed director Stathis Livathinos signs the staging; the Armonia Atenea and conductor George Petrou have delved into the archives to revive a forgotten masterpiece.

M U S I C

The Early Music Ensemble Ex Silentio with guest one of the top oud players Ziad Ratzamp will play Crucificat: Music from the era of the Crusades, at the Benaki Museum (Kerameikos Building Complex) from February 28 to March 1. The concert focuses on the musical crossroads between east and west with musical pieces by Western medieval troubadours Raimbaut de Vaqueiras and Elias Cairel, and traditional Arabic music.

T H E A T R E

The Onassis Cultural Centre inaugurates the Cycle Transitions with a Contemporary Art Festival of the Independent Balkan Scene. The production Damned Be the Traitor of his Homeland! directed by the internationally-fêted 37-year-old director Oliver Frljić from Slovenia will be staged on March 5. The production takes its title from the last line of the former Yugoslavia’s national anthem. Unrestrained and provocative, overflowing with Balkan music, this anarchic cabaret tackles the break-up of the former Yugoslavia, nationalism and sectarian hatred. Born in Bosnia to Serbo-Croat parents, Oliver Frljić is considered a key figure in the contemporary avant-garde Balkan theatre.