The “Youth Opera” educational programme is an initiative of the Greek National Opera (GNO) aiming primarily to provide, free of charge, young artists that have completed their studies and are taking their first professional steps with the opportunity to test themselves in a real work environment and gain significant experience under the guidance and supervision of acclaimed artists and professionals. The John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation supported the programme in 2019 as well, thereby enhancing the process by which young artists acquire the competencies and tools that will render them fundamentally qualified professionals, in accordance with contemporary Opera demands.

Through the programme, following a year of simulation of real working conditions in the Greek National Opera, the participants have the opportunity to develop and present their skills by participating in at least two productions which have been specifically selected and produced for this opera group. The second artistic season of the educational programme concluded with the presentation of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera “The Clemency of Titus” at the Art Theatre Karolos Koun, and Vincenzo Bellini’s opera “The Capulets and the Montagues” at the Stavros Niarchos Hall of the Greek National Opera.

“The Clemency of Titus” is the last opera composed by Mozart and it was presented for the first time in the National Theatre of Prague in 1791, while it premiered at the Greek National Opera in 1986. It deals with deep concepts such as truth, betrayal, forgiveness, love and friendship, which the artists were required to address. On the other hand, Bellini’s opera “The Capulets and the Montagues”, which was presented for the first time in Venice at Teatro La Fenice in 1830 and in Greece in a production by the Greek National Opera at the Athens Concert Hall in 2015, focuses on the tragic dimension of the story of Romeo and Juliet.

The production of the above operas was the culmination of the programme. Enactment in a large hall and stage with a full opera orchestra in real conditions and production timings, provided the artists with the opportunity to realise the standards they will need to set and follow in their career.

• In the 2018-2019 artistic season, 10 young artists participated in the programme.