From the Athens Concert Hall and the National Opera to Prague’s Black Theater, seasonal productions for all
A family season par excellence, Christmas demands a rich offering of cultural events; and Athens is no exception. Based on Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s legendary tale «The Little Prince,» the sold-out Athens Concert Hall musical performances of «One Upon a Time There Was a Little Prince,» offers a novel approach of the celebrated and beloved tale. «Giselle» returns to the Athens Concert Hall. Alternating in the principal roles are Diana Vishneva and Svetlana Zaharova, while Vladimir Malakhov and Igor Zelenski take turns in the role of Albrecht. The ballet is choreographed by Leonidas de Pian, while members of the Athens and Sofia state operas also perform. (Tonight and December 25-30.) At the same venue, Sergei Prokofiev’s «Peter and the Wolf» will be narrated by Irini Inglesi, along with Thanos Mikroutsikos’s «Say It With a Fable,» a musical adaptation of writer Selma Lagerlof’s «The Wonderful Adventures of Nils,» to be narrated by Gerasimos Gennatas (tonight and December 26, 28 and 29), while Tom and Jerry, not to mention Donald Duck, return to the silver screen, as legendary Hollywood musical cartoons, including «Cat Concerto,» «What’s Opera Doc,» «The Long-Haired Hare,» «Corny Concerto,» «Magical Maestro» and «Symphony Hour» will be shown on December 25-27 and 29-30. (Athens Concert Hall, 1 Kokkali & Vas. Sofias, tel 210.728.2000.) Based on the adventures of Lewis Carroll’s Alice, Jiri Srnec’s adaptation offers the celebrated tale the magic of his Prague-based Black Theater, with great costumes and lighting tricks. (Tonight to January 12 at the Coronet Theater, 11 Frynis St, Pangrati, tel 210.701.2123.) Again this year, the National Opera presents Tchaikovsky’s «Nutcracker,» choreographed by Pierre Lacotte, with soloists Alina Stergianou, Stratos Papanousis and Maria Miliopoulou. (Olympion Theater, 59 Academias, tel 210.321.03611. Performances on December 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31 and January 5.)
