Camerata Friends of Music Orchestra returns as the Megaron in-house Orchestra

PUBLICATION

13.11.24

The renewed Camerata Friends of Music Orchestra returns as the orchestra of Megaron the Athens Concert Hall and announces its artistic programming for the 2024-25 season.

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The renewed Camerata Friends of Music Orchestra returns as the orchestra of Megaron the Athens Concert Hall and announces its artistic programming for the 2024-25 season.

Nikos Pimblis, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Megaron the Athens Concert Hall, briefly presented the process of re-establishing Camerata as the Megaron Orchestra. After many years of efforts, with the initiative and support of the Ministry of Culture and with the cooperation of the Boards of Directors of the OMMA and the Friends of Music Association, and after two legislative interventions, the establishment of the 18-member core of the Orchestra was made possible, consisting of musicians from the original ensemble who were transferred to the OMMA and younger musicians who were selected after auditions. The Orchestra will collaborate with distinguished musicians of international repute, depending on the needs of each programme. Welcoming the Camerata in a new form, the President conveyed the commitment of Megaron to a high quality and wide-ranging programme, designed in collaboration between the orchestra Director and Music Director George Petrou and the Artistic Director of Megaron Yannis Vakarelis, aiming at repositioning the Orchestra in the cultural landscape, both in Greece and abroad, with a renewed and dynamic image.

The President of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Music Association Panos Dimaras said: “When, in 1991, the Friends of Music Association founded Camerata, it had the vision to serve classical music in Greece and to complete the mission of Megaron the Athens Concert Hall by complementing its multifaceted work with a resident orchestra of the highest quality. With the impetus provided by its first Artistic Director Alexandros Myrat and subsequently by outstanding international musicians, the Camerata collaborated with renowned soloists and traveled introducing classical music throughout Greece with concerts and educational programmes, creating a new generation of listeners. It is a great thrill to see it overcome difficulties and once again be able to serve its mission.”

The Artistic Director of Megaron the Athens Concert Hall Yannis Vakarelis said: “[…] The new Camerata can play a decisive role in the dissemination of classical music in regions outside Athens, by organizing concerts and tours. Due to its flexibility, it seems ideal for presenting works of historical interpretation as well as contemporary Greek and foreign composers, creating platforms for the new generation of artists. This will contribute to linking the classical tradition with contemporary trends and to the development of Greek creativity.”

The eminent Greek conductor George Petrou, who performs in the world’s greatest concert halls and major opera houses, has led the Orchestra on a spectacular concert career internationally (La Scala in Milan, Salzburg Festival, BBC Proms, Elysian Fields Theatre, Amsterdam Concert Hall, etc.). George Petrou said he was thrilled that the Camerata is returning to its natural home, Megaron, and expressed his enthusiasm for the concerts and activities planned by the Orchestra both within and outside the Greek borders.

 

The programming of the 2024-25 artistic season includes:

30/11/2024
Johann Sebastian Bach: Brandenburg Concertos ( on period instruments)
Music Direction: George Petrou

27/12/2024
Christmas in Versailles of the Sun King (on period instruments)
Jean-Baptiste Lully: Te Deum
Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Te Deum
Music direction: George Petrou

4/1/2025
New Year’s Eve with a Viennese flavour
A festive evening in the spirit of the traditional Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve concert
Musical direction: George Petrou

19/2/2025
Symphonic rock transformations
Philip Glass: symphony no. 4
(based on the album “Heroes” by David Bowie and Brian Eno)
John Lord (Deep Purple): Sarabande for rock group and orchestra
Music direction, piano, Hammond organ: George Petrou

17/3/2025
Mikis Theodorakis: The beginning and the end
Revelation-Ode to Beethoven
Rhapsody
Music direction: George Petrou

14/4/2025
George Friedrich Handel: The Resurrection (on period instruments)
Oratorio in 2 parts
Music direction: George Petrou

Estravaganza Veneziana (on period instruments)
Camerata presents Antonio Vivaldi’s legendary Four Seasons and brilliant Italian Baroque works under the direction of the great contemporary performer of the genre Shunske Sato (music director, solo baroque violin)

The first performance of the Friends of Music Camerata Orchestra during the 2024-2025 artistic season will take place on Sunday 30 November (time: 20.30). In this concert at the Christos Lambrakis Hall, the beloved Athenian ensemble will once again turn its attention to one of the cornerstones of instrumental baroque music, Johann Sebastian Bach’s famous Brandenburg Concertos , which will be performed on period instruments. The internationally acclaimed Orchestra and the leading Greek conductor present the six masterpieces of the Leipzig Cantor with the participation of soloists of international renown, giving the audience the opportunity to enjoy the authentic and glorious sound of the Camerata in one of the greatest compositions in the history of music.

 

 

Video Camerata Friends of Music Orchestra

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