The Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), in collaboration with the Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra (National Symphony Orchestra of ERT), is presenting, on Monday, December 23, at the Stavros Niarchos Hall, a festive Christmas concert featuring three classic works: the Great Zoological Fantasy "The Carnival of the Animals" by Camille Saint-Saëns; the "Triptych for Two Pianos" by Christos Papageorgiou; and the Orchestral Suite of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's opera "Christmas Eve."
The Great Zoological Fantasy, the most famous musical composition for children, was composed in 1886 for two pianos and a relatively small orchestra, and consists of the following movements:
- Introduction and Royal March of the Lion
- Hens and Roosters
- Wild Asses (Swift Animals)
- Tortoises
- The Elephant
- Kangaroos
- Aquarium
- Characters with Long Ears
- The Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods
- Aviary
- Pianists
- Fossils
- The Swan
- Finale
The opera "Christmas Eve" was written in 1894-95, based on a short story of the same title written by Nikolai Gogol, and was first presented in St. Petersburg on December 10, 1895. According to the plot, the blacksmith Vakula, in his attempt to win the heart of beautiful Oxana, subjugates the devil who helps him fulfill the desire of his beloved. The Orchestral Suite was created by the composer in 1904 and includes the following movements:
- Introduction
- Games and Dances of the Stars
- Polonaise
- Finale - Vakula's Return Journey
Musical Director: Byron Fidetzis
Soloists (Triptych for Two Pianos): Tassos Pappas & Charalampos Aggelopoulos
Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra (National Symphony Orchestra of ERT)
The Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra (National Symphony Orchestra of ERT) was founded in 1938 and covers the classical Greek and foreign repertoire. It has performed works by major Greek and foreign composers, conductors and researchers, in recordings, live radio and television broadcasts, and concerts in Athens and the Greek provinces.
The Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra has been conducted by numerous Greek and foreign guest maestros, as well as by internationally acclaimed composers, including Dimitris Mitropoulos, Miltiades Karydis, Yehudi Menuhin, and others, and it has collaborated with world distinguished soloists, including: Gina Bachauer, José Carreras, Agnes Baltsa, Montserrat Caballé, Plácido Domingo, Angela Gheorghiu, et al.
The Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra has performed in many festivals across the globe, and is considered one of Greece's most dynamic, well-rounded and active symphonic ensembles.
Since February 2023, the Musical Director of the Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra is Michalis Economou.
The SNFCC Christmas World comes to life thanks to a grant by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).
