Medea

The Greek National Opera revives Luigi Cherubini’s Medea at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus for an exclusive performance on 20 June 2026, sixty-five years after the legendary 1961 production featuring Maria Callas in the title role, directed by Alexis Minotis, with sets and costumes by Yannis Tsarouchis, and choreography by Maria Mors.  

Within the framework of the 2025/26 season’s thematic spine, which explores the notion of “tracing the opera of the future through the womb of the past,” the Greek National Opera returns to the historic Medea of 1961 through the materials of the present. Drawing upon Minotis’ directing notebooks, Tsarouchis’s original designs, and the extensive photographic material from Callas’s iconic performances at Epidaurus, the new production summons the spirit of the original staging as conceived and realised by those legendary artists who have left an indelible mark on Greek cultural history. 

Following the temporary closure of the Odeon of Herodes Atticus for restoration purposes, the GNO furthers its long-standing tradition of summer opera productions, this time at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, nearly seven decades after its last opera presentation there, and for the first time in the 21st century.  

Through the enrichment of the GNO Archive with new collections, photographic material, and rare documents, the restoration of a significant portion of Tsarouchis’ costume work by the GNO Costume Department, and after establishing a channel of collaboration with the National Bank of Greece Cultural Foundation’s Greek Literary and Historical Archive, as well as with the Minotis – Paxinou archive, Artistic Director of the GNO, Giorgos Koumendakis, has assembled a new creative team. Comprised of Panaghis Pagoulatos (stage director), Lili Pezanou (set design), Tota Pritsa (costume design), and Christos Tziogkas (lighting design) and through meticulous research into the surviving documentation, the team undertakes a rigorous reconstruction of the original production, offering contemporary audiences a rare encounter with an unassailable landmark of modern Greek culture. 

The title role is helmed by the eminent Italian soprano Anna Pirozzi. She is joined by Jean-François Borras as Giasone, Tassis Christoyannis as Creon, Alisa Kolosova as Neris, and Danae Kontora as Glauce.