The third cycle of artistic workshops “Melisma” of the Educational & Social Actions of the National Opera presents a unique concert dedicated to the course of the program, from March 2026 to the present, in North Evia and to the original artistic material that has been created through its actions, on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 9:00 PM, at the “Apollon” open-air cinema in Loutra Edipsos. Admission is free for the public exclusively through ticketservices.gr from June 30.

The concert is a meeting of the “Melisma” program and the voices of the people of Edipsos and Istiea with the Kalogerakia. The evening opens with songs from the personal repertoire of the Kalogerakis brothers and continues with the presentation of new compositions that emerged from the creative process of the “Melisma” program. This musical material is based on texts and poems written by students and residents of the area during creative writing workshops held in schools in Edipsos, as well as in adult groups in Edipsos and Istiaia.

Starting from personal narratives, memories and experiences related to place, nature, time, loss and hope, the participants contributed to the formation of a collective poetic material. The resulting texts were set to music by Michalis Kalogerakis and are presented by the participants of the program, who form the Melisma Choir, together with musicians Haris Paraskevas (percussion), Alexis Stenakis (clarinet), Stavros Roumeliotis (bass) and Giannis Kontaratos (violin).

Melisma III is based on poetry and seeks to connect speech, music and community through co-creation processes. Through the participation of adults, children and adolescents, the program explores ways of artistic expression that highlight collective memory, local identity and the dynamics of the community.

The artistic direction, musical composition and musical education of the program are undertaken by Michalis Kalogerakis, while the artistic direction and theatrical education are undertaken by Pantelis Kalogerakis. The musical education of the choir is undertaken by Danae Stergiou. The creative writing workshops and the dramaturgical development of the texts are coordinated by Thomas Tsalapatis, while the orchestrations are signed by Fanis Zachopoulos.

A few words about Melisma

Since 2022, Melisma has been implemented in the Municipalities of Limni – Mantoudi – Agia Anna and Istiaia – Edipsos, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and in collaboration with the local municipalities, recording a substantial social and cultural footprint. It is an artistic and pedagogical action, lasting one artistic period, that puts the community at the center and leads to the creation of a new musical theater performance based on the material and the participation of the residents themselves.

In an area that has been significantly affected by the devastating fires of 2021, the program seeks to contribute to cultural reconstruction, offering a space for expression, processing of experiences and collective creation. From the processing of trauma in Melisma I to the exploration of tradition and local identity in Melisma II, the program evolves organically, reflecting the needs and dynamics of the community itself. At its core remains the same belief: that art is a field of encounter, memory and regeneration.

Kalogerakia meet the residents of North Evia on stage in a joint concert

As part of the series of artistic workshops in North Evia Melisma III

The concert with Michalis and Pantelis Kalogerakis is attended by the Choir of the educational program Melisma, consisting of members of the groups taking part in the program.

Melisma is an action of the Ministry of Culture.