elc team
The Greek National Opera presents at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, in a single performance on June 20, 2026, the opera Medea by Luigi Cherubini, reconstructing the legendary 1961 production, directed by Alexis Minotis, with sets and costumes by Yiannis Tsarouchis, choreography by Maria Hors, and starring Maria Callas in the title role.
Ticket pre-sales begin on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 12:00, through the Greek National Opera Box Office and more.com.
A few words about the historic 1961 production
In 1961, Maria Callas accepted an invitation from the founding Director of the Greek National Opera, Kostis Bastias, to perform Medea at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus — one year after her first appearance there in Norma.
Medea, first presented by Cherubini in Paris in 1797, was among the operas that Callas reintroduced to 20th-century audiences, beginning in Florence in 1953.
When the newly founded Dallas Opera commissioned a new production in 1958, Callas requested that it be directed by Alexis Minotis, a figure closely associated with ancient Greek tragedy. Despite his initial hesitation due to his limited experience in opera (and after the encouragement of Katina Paxinou), Minotis accepted and proposed Yiannis Tsarouchis as set and costume designer.
The premiere in Dallas was met with unprecedented acclaim, with critics praising the “superhuman yet profoundly human Callas,” the “innovative direction of Minotis,” and Tsarouchis’ “130 unique costumes made in Greece.”
In 1959, the same production was staged at the Royal Opera House in London, before arriving at Epidaurus on August 6 and 13, 1961.
For the open-air space of Epidaurus, Minotis rethought his directorial approach, seeking, as he later explained “to restore the function of myth as closely as possible to the ancient model, without in any way compromising the music of the great composer.”
Tsarouchis adapted the set and created new costumes for the approximately 250 performers on stage.
The Epidaurus performances were conducted by Nicola Rescigno, with Callas joined by Giuseppe Modesti, Soula Glantzi, Jon Vickers, Kiki Morfoniou, Giorgos Zakkas, Angeliki Drakopoulou, and Anna Maragaki.
The legendary production concluded its journey in 1962 at La Scala in Milan, where Italian audiences acclaimed not only Callas, in her final performance of the role, but the entire creative team.
Reconstruction of the 1961 Historic Production
Artistic Director: Yiorgos Koumentakis
Music Director: TBA
Direction: Panagis Pagoulatos
Set design: Lili Pezanou
Costume design: Tota Pritsa
Lighting design: Christos Tsiogkas
Chorus Master: Agathangelos Georgakatos
Cast
Medea: Anna Pirozzi
Glauce: Danae Kontora
Neris: Alisa Kolosova
Jason: Jean-François Borras
Creon: Tassis Christoyannopoulos
With soloists, the Orchestra and the Chorus of the Εθνική Λυρική Σκηνή (Greek National Opera)
Ticket prices
€15, €25, €30, €45, €55, €60, €80, €90, €100, €110, €120, €150, €180, €200
Student: €25 • Children: from €20
Ticket sales
Tickets go on sale Monday, February 2, 2026 at 12:00, via:
• Greek National Opera Box Office (☎ 213 088 5700 | daily 9:00–21:00)
• Athens & Epidaurus Festival ticket offices
The Greek National Opera is funded by the Ministry of Culture
Grand Sponsor: PPC (Public Power Corporation)
Major Donor of the GNO: Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
