On Saturday, November 8, at the Grand Hall of St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church of Bethesda, Maryland, the Hellenic Society Prometheas, the cultural society of the Washington Metropolitan Area, organized a very unique musical event. On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, it staged the neo-classical opera Prometheus, by the Greek-Canadian composer Panayoti Karousos, with the participation of a host of soloists and a large orchestra under the direction of conductor Grant Gilman. The opera is based on Aeschylus’ tragedy: Prometheus Bound.
Father Dimitrios, Father George of the St. George church and Greek Embassy officials were joined by an audience of 230 people who arrived at the Presvytera Maria Grand Hall to enjoy Karousos’ music and relive the myth of Prometheus, who was punished by Zeus for giving fire to mankind against His will.
The District of Columbia Symphony Orchestra performed beautifully and flawlessly and the accomplished soloists, all first class professionals, interpreted skillfully and with vigor all parts of Karousos’ work. The critics categorize the opera as a modern post-romantic work and praise it for its melodic and harmonic power. The fine cast completed by excellent lyric baritone Robert Maril: Prometheus, the magnificent mellow tone soprano Mary Elizabeth Mackenzie: Io, very dramatic and powerful bass Nathan Baer: God’s Voice, Ocean, Zeus and beautiful dramatic mezzo Elspeth Davis: Bia, Goddess Athena. District of Columbia Symphony Orchestra conducted excellently by Grant Gilman especially in the slow tempos with emphasis in the tragic elements
The performance was very well organized and made an impression on the participants as an exceptional and high quality cultural event. Mr. Lefteris Karmiris, the president of Prometheas, welcomed the audience and Dr. Polyvia Parara, of the Department of Classics at Georgetown University, offered interpretive introduction to Prometheus Bound. An artistic and informative program was available to the participants to follow the plot of the opera. A nice reception followed the performance.
The proceeds of the event will benefit the St. George Building Fund and the new St. Katherine’s Paideia preschool program. www.patrides.com
