The Children’s Chorus of the Greek National Opera was founded in September 2012. It has an exclusively educational character and its goals, among others, are the study of choral singing, the cultivation of the wider musical education of its members and the development of the feeling of partnership and cooperation. Its priority is also the experiential music education, which is achieved through the participation of the children in performances, concerts and various artistic activities of the organisation.
Till today, the GNO Children’s Chorus has participated to great acclaim in such productions of the Greek National Opera as La bohème, Tosca, Werther, Otello, Die Zauberflöte, Carmen, Wozzeck, The Cunning Little Vixen, The Nutcracker, Suor Angelica, Carmencitas, The Murderess, Halima, Leporella, The Magic Pillows, Falstaff, Juditha triumphans, Gianni Schicchi, Le Voyage dans la Lune, Cavalleria rusticana, Pagliacci, as well as in the works The Era of Melissanthi, Magnus Eroticus and Sweet Movie by Manos Hadjidakis and 2nd Symphony by Mikis Theodorakis, in such venues as Olympia Theatre, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Alexandra Trianti Hall (Athens Concert Hall), Stavros Niarchos Hall and Alternative Hall of the GNO (SNFCC), etc. In addition, the Chorus has participated in productions that were presented online such as When Will, When Will Summer Come, No! You Won’t Get Up Our Noses!, A Shepherdess I Loved… and has given numerous concerts, performing a very extensive repertoire, at the Presidential Mansion, the Acropolis Museum, the Pnyx, the Archaeological site of Brauron (Vravrona), the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, etc.
The Children’s Chorus’ first mistress was soprano Mata Katsouli. Since autumn 2017, the ensemble has been directed by Konstantina Pitsiakou. The Chorus comprises about one hundred children aged 6 to 15 years old from all Attica. The participation is free of admission, while the members are selected through an audition, which takes place after a relevant announcement by the Greek National Opera.
