CULTURE

Young opera stars sing at Megaron

he Athens Concert Hall will be taken over by youth and opera tonight as the «Maria Callas» and «Alexandra Triandi» Scholars Gala begins at 8.30 p.m. – sung by beneficiaries of the associations’ scholarship programs. Performing a full program composed of well-known arias are soloists Mirto Papathanassiou, Inga Balabanova, Eirini Tsirakidou, Ines Zikou, Marita Paparizou, Nikos Spanos, Haris Adrianos and Aris Papayiannopoulos. A few days before tonight’s concert, Kathimerini talked to two of the eight young singers. Baritone Haris Adrianos was awarded a scholarship by the «Maria Callas» association in 1996. He spent two years studying at Milan’s Aslico Academy, while he is currently finalizing his studies in Barcelona; he also collaborates with the Athens National Opera. «The scholarship allowed me to become financially independent, drop my studies at the Athens University, go abroad, and be able to live off singing,» said Adrianos. «As a baritone, I have to be patient, since a few years must go by before I can interpret leading roles. My dream? To perform in great theaters abroad… Also, I’d like to use my experience in order to make opera better known outside Athens. It will be my contribution!» Marita Paparizou won the «Alexandra Triandi» Scholarship in 1998. She went to Italy where she studied alongside baritone Roberto Coviello, among others. «Without the scholarship, I would not have achieved anything,» said the young soprano, who takes the lead role in Vivaldi’s «Orlando Furioso» at the National Opera this winter. «My dream is to sing in order to bring joy, not just to me but to the rest of the world…» «Maria Callas» and «Alexandra Triandi» Scholars Gala at the Athens Concert Hall, 1 Kokkali & Vas. Sofias, tel 010.728.2000, today at 8.30 p.m.

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