CULTURE

Nino Rota’s ‘Aladdin’ to conjure up magical evening for children and adults alike at Greek National Opera

The magic of a lyrical fairy tale is set to fill the Olympia Theater, appealing to children and grownups alike. Nino Rota’s «Aladino e la lampada magica» (Aladdin and the Magic Lamp), which is based on one of the stories in «Arabian Nights,» will open tonight with additional performances Friday and Saturday. It will be performed by the Athens Chamber Opera, a group founded in 1988 by Maro Nikaki to promote young and up-and-coming talent. The production is a joint collaboration with the National Opera. Not much needs to be said about Nino Rota, the composer who is perhaps best known for his film scores. He has written the music for more than 150 movies, including «The Godfather» parts I and II, «Amarcord,» «Il Gattopardo,» «La dolce vita» and «Juliet of the Spirits.» His most popular opera compositions, apart from «Aladino e la lampada magica,» which opened in January 1968 in Naples, include «The Two Timid Ones» and «The Italian Straw Hat.» The Athens Chamber Opera production is directed by Isidoros Sideris and features vocalists Constantinos Klironomos, Kira Lambraki, Arkadios Rakopoulos, Nikos Kotenidis, Marianna Rigaki, Zafiris Koutelieris and many others. The sets and costumes have been designed by Yiannis Katranitsas and maestro Errikos Fretzis-Gogossis will be conducting. Olympia Theater, 59-61 Academias, tel 210.361.2461, 210.364.3725. Ticket prices range from 10 euros to 25, 35 and 60 euros.

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