On the occasion of the 19th Aegina Music Festival, which this year completes 20 years of continuous presence, Dora Bakopoulou and Elena Hounta - artistic directors of the event - write in CultureNow.
This year's programme is festive and anniversary. It is with great pleasure that we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Festival, the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Hadjidakis, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Maurice Ravel. We made a rich, varied programme, covering a wide range of musical creativity. Classicism, Romanticism, modern times, all periods and most genres of musical expression are here. The most charming chamber music, well-known opera arias, beloved Greek songs and for the first time, the musical enters our program.
And of course the artists, all amazing! Big names, great soloists, impressive ensembles and unique voices with long careers, but also young talents who with their smiles, freshness and boundless energy come to increase our joy and excitement.
The Aegina Music Festival is addressed to everyone without exception! And to all ages.
The aim is to rekindle the emotion we feel. And the joy of humming songs and melodies you don't want to forget after a concert.
The concert venues? So special and appropriate to the content of each night! And they are chosen so as to eliminate the distance between the artist and the audience. You feel like you're part of the concert too.
The Courtyard of the Church of the Saviour, a small frame with wonderful acoustics, perfectly accommodates chamber music and classical singing.
In the small theatre "I.Molfesi" in Pachiorachi you can feel the magic, the essence of a spirituality under the stars.
And of course the beach of Aura is ideal for the big concerts of Greek songs. The many of us become one, next to the wave. You feel Greek song and the sea like eternal entities that coexist. Just think how much the sea has inspired Greek composers!
The Aegina Music Festival has been offering evenings of joy and high artistic quality for 20 years. Our beloved Aegina welcomes us every year with much love. And for us, this love is the strength for the continuation.