Giorgos Koumendakis to serve as Artistic Director of the Greek National Opera for a third consecutive term

We would like to announce that –in accordance with a decision taken by the Greek Minister of Culture and Sports, Ms Lina Mendoni, on 4/1/2023– composer Giorgos Koumendakis’ tenure as GNO Artistic Director has been renewed for another three years.

Giorgos Koumendakis was appointed Artistic Director of the Greek National Opera in February 2017 and is now the first Artistic Director in the organisation’s history to serve for a third consecutive term.

Giorgos Koumendakis notes: “The renewal of my tenure at the Greek National Opera for three more years is a source of great joy for me, and a particular honour. I would like to thank the Greek Minister of Culture and Sports, Ms Lina Mendoni, for the trust she has placed in me, and for the unequivocal support she has shown the Greek National Opera.

“While my first term (2017-2020) was focused on laying the foundations for the new artistic identity to be taken on by our organisation, which had just made the move to its new home at the SNFCC –built and fitted out through a donation made by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation– and my second three-year term (2020-2023) essentially set about redefining how the organisation operates, and oversaw its complete relaunch in the midst of a pandemic, my third term (2023-2026) will see us fix our attentions on further advancement and development, as well as greater outreach, with a view to realising our vision for the creation of a truly 21st-century opera house.

“In this moment –one so important both for me personally, and for the ongoing history of the organisation– I would like to thank the GNO Board of Directors, my associates, and all the artistic, technical, administrative, and other staff working at the organisation.”