The Greek National Opera closes its 2025/26 season with Verdi’s La Traviata

One of Verdi’s most beloved masterpieces returns in Nikos S. Petropoulos’ landmark production, presented for the first time at the Stavros Niarchos Hall.

The Greek National Opera concludes its 2025/26 artistic season with Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata, presented in the landmark production by the late Greek opera director, set and costume designer Nikos S. Petropoulos. Twenty-five years after its premiere at the historic Olympia Theatre, and following its successful tour to China and Thessaloniki, the production returns to Athens for its first-ever presentation at the Stavros Niarchos Hall of the Greek National Opera at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.

The revival also inaugurates a new tradition of summer opera performances in the air-conditioned Stavros Niarchos Hall and forms part of the Greek National Opera’s tribute to Nikos S. Petropoulos, one of the most influential figures in modern Greek opera.

Premiered in Venice in 1853, La Traviata has become one of the defining works of the operatic repertoire despite its famously unsuccessful first performance. Inspired by Alexandre Dumas fils’ La Dame aux Camélias, the opera tells the tragic story of Violetta Valéry, a celebrated Parisian courtesan who discovers genuine love only to be forced to sacrifice it under the pressure of social convention. Verdi’s score traces her emotional journey with extraordinary psychological depth, creating one of opera’s most compelling female protagonists.

Petropoulos’ production recreates the elegance and atmosphere of nineteenth-century France with richly detailed period sets and costumes, balancing theatrical grandeur with emotional intimacy. The revival direction is by Ion Kesoulis, choreography by Dimitra Svingou, and lighting revival by Christos Tziogkas.

The Greek National Opera Orchestra will be conducted by acclaimed maestro Loukas Karytinos, Artistic Director of the Athens State Orchestra, while the GNO Chorus has been prepared by Agathangelos Georgakatos.

The production features an outstanding cast of leading Greek opera singers. The role of Violetta will be shared by celebrated soprano Vassiliki Karayanni and soprano Dimitra Kotidou. Alfredo Germont will be performed by tenor Giannis Christopoulos and tenor Konstantinos Klironomos, while the role of Giorgio Germont will be shared by baritones Tassis Christoyannopoulos and Dionysis Sourbis. They are joined by a distinguished ensemble of established and emerging Greek artists, highlighting the Greek National Opera’s ongoing commitment to supporting the country’s operatic talent.

Performances on 24 and 26 July 2026 will be fully accessible, offering Greek Sign Language interpretation, closed captions (CAPS), audio description, and designated seating for Deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, and visually impaired audience members. These accessibility services are presented as part of the All Together at the Opera programme, supported by Alpha Bank through its Culture for All corporate responsibility initiative.

Music Director: Loukas Karytinos
Direction, Set, Costume & Lighting Design: Nikos S. Petropoulos
Revival Director: Ion Kesoulis
Choreography: Dimitra Svingou
Lighting Revival: Christos Tziogkas
Chorus Master: Agathangelos Georgakatos
Band Director: Katia Molfesi

Cast

Violetta Valéry: Vassiliki Karayanni (18, 21, 24, 28 Jul.) / Dimitra Kotidou (19, 23, 26, 30 Jul.)
Flora Bervoix: Marisia Papalexiou (18, 21, 24, 28 Jul.) / Chrysanthi Spitadi (19, 23, 26, 30 Jul.)
Annina: Julia Souglakou (18, 21, 24, 28 Jul.) / Sofia Kyanidou (19, 23, 26, 30 Jul.)
Alfredo Germont: Giannis Christopoulos (18, 21, 24, 28 Jul.) / Konstantinos Klironomos (19, 23, 26, 30 Jul.)
Giorgio Germont: Tassis Christoyannopoulos (18, 21, 24, 28 Jul.) / Dionysis Sourbis (19, 23, 26, 30 Jul.)
Gastone de Letorières: Giannis Kalyvas (18, 21, 24, 28 Jul.) / Nikolas Maraziotis (19, 23, 26, 30 Jul.)
Baron Douphol: Maxim Klonofski (18, 21, 24, 28 Jul.) / Christos Rammopoulos (19, 23, 26, 30 Jul.)
Marquis d’Obigny: Nikos Kotenidis (18, 21, 24, 28 Jul.) / Sotiris Triantis (19, 23, 26, 30 Jul.)
Doctor Grenvil: Marios Sarantidis (18, 21, 24, 28 Jul.) / Giorgos Papadimitriou (19, 23, 26, 30 Jul.)
Giuseppe: Nikos Katsigiannis (18, 21, 24, 28 Jul.) / Antonis Antoniadis (19, 23, 26, 30 Jul.)
Servant / Messenger: Ioannis Kontellis (18, 21, 24, 28 Jul.) / Vasilis Dimakopoulos (19, 23, 26, 30 Jul.)

Performed by the Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet of the Greek National Opera