Athens Festival Readies For New Season

The ancient theater of Epidaurus in Peloponnese presents ancient Greek drama performances. It was built in the 4th century BC and seats 14,000.

Hellenic Festival has announced its program for both the Athens Festival and Epidaurus Festival. The Athens Festival begins June 2 with Andrea Bocelli in Concert. Programs continue through until September 28. These include opera, classical and contemporary dance, orchestras, recitals and classical and modern theater, as well as special performances.

The Epidaurus Festival begins on July 4 with a play by Sophocles (Oedepus at Colonus). For a full list of events at both festivals, check the Internet site www.hellenicfestival.gr.

Athens Festival has been around since 1955. Since then it has put on events that host the most established representatives of Greek and international culture. Programs take place under the Acropolis at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus Theater, which was built in 161AD and seats 4,500.

Besides the two festivals mentioned above, Hellenic Festival also uses the contemporary open-air theater at Lykabettus for concerts during the summer months and September. The company also presents performances in the beautiful Little Ancient Theater of Epidaurus. The performances combine music, poetry and drama every Friday and Saturday of July.