The Educational & Social Activities of the Greek National Opera, within the framework of the educational program “Opera Interactively in Schools”, are organizing a workshop on the topic of opera as an educational tool on Friday, June 30, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the GNO Alternative Stage, with free admission for the public.

From January to May 2023, “Opera Interactively in Schools” traveled with great success to fifty-five secondary schools throughout Greece with the aim of introducing and interacting with adolescents with the interdisciplinary world of opera. Using the performance Offenbach’s The Beautiful Helen by Cornelius Selamsis as a vehicle, students had the opportunity to experience firsthand the unique experience of the creative pulse of the opera’s preparation as well as to be actively involved in it through their participation in experiential workshops. The implementation of the program is co-financed by the European Union – European Social Fund (ESF) and by National Resources NSRF 2014-2020 through the Operational Program “Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning”.

The conference is aimed at educators, professionals in the field of performing arts, as well as those who wish to discover the multiple benefits of the pedagogical use of opera. The main themes will be opera as a learning field, the design of performances for teenage audiences, and the necessity of art and music in the classroom.

The program participants will present the various educational and social aspects of this innovative project, while the multidimensional discussion will be accompanied by speakers from the fields of education, opera, music, theater and dance. In addition, the audience will have the opportunity to attend and participate in experiential activities and workshops in music, visual arts, rhythmic recitation and the creation of soundscapes. In addition, for the first time, the digital part of the program Opera Interactively in Schools will be presented, which with the new school year will introduce opera remotely to schools. This includes the film version of the performance, the interactive website Opera Box under construction, the video game Helen of Solidarity, as well as a series of educational webinars.

The conference will conclude with the presentation of the play The Beautiful Helen by Offenbach by Cornelius Selamsis, libretto by Alexandra K*, directed by Yannis Kalavrianou and sets, costumes and video-animation by Petros Touloudis. The kinesiology is by Marianna Kavallieratou, while the lighting is by Nikos Vlasopoulos. The roles will be performed by Smaragda Vangeli (Helen), Marietta Sarri (Bacchus), Katerina Fountoukidou (Paris), Angelos Kydonievs (Achilles), Antonis Kordopatis (Ajas), Demosthenes Vlachos (Menelaus), Zannis Kanterakis (Agamemnon), Nikos Masourakis (Calchas). The ten-member musical ensemble will be conducted by conductor Kyriaki Kountouri.