Otello, directed by Robert Wilson, is the first international GNO co-production, as part of the new donation by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation

The Greek National Opera (GNO) signed its first co-production agreement with one of Europe’s major festivals, the Easter Festival of Baden-Baden, for a staging of Giuseppe Verdi’s Otello, as part of the new SNF donation, which enhances the artistic outreach of the Greek National Opera and the promotion of its work abroad. The opera, with direction and set design by the great American director Robert Wilson, premiered in Baden-Baden on April 13 and will be presented in Athens in early 2022.

Greek National Opera Artistic Director, Giorgos Koumendakis, notes: "The Greek National Opera is happy to announce its first co-production with the Easter Festival of Baden-Baden, which takes place thanks to the new donation by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. Otello, directed by renowned Robert Wilson, will premiere in Athens in early 2022".

Baden-Baden Festival's General and Artistic Director, Andreas Mölich-Zebhauser, notes: "We are very happy that this versatile, refined and aristically major production will continue its path outside our festival".

The production of Otello, signed by Wilson, uses impressive lighting, specialized movement, intense make-up and sets. Above all, Wilson creates images that allow music to have the leading role. In Baden-Baden the production was presented with Zubin Mehta as conductor of the Berlin Philarmonic Orchestra and with Stuard Skelton, Sonya Yoncheva and Vladimir Stoyanov in the leading roles.

The 4-year donation of 20 million euros by the SNF supports the artistic outreach of the Greek National Opera, by funding co-productions, collaborations with international lyric theaters, invitations of renowned artists, GNO productions touring in Greece and abroad, the anniversary programme of 2021, as well as the promotion of GNO's work aborad. SNF members participated in GNO's visit in Baden-Baden for the completion of the agreement.