Athens (AFP)
Famous Russian soprano Anna Netrebko will take the stage on Saturday in Athens for a star-studded concert that will mark the reopening of live performances at the Greek National Opera, even as authorities sound the alarm over a resurgence of coronavirus contaminations.
Anna Netrebko will headline the All Star Verdi Gala at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, site of the first modern Olympic Games, during an evening of arias and duets from some of Verdi's most popular operas, such as "Aida", Il Trovatore "," The Force of Destiny "," Otello "and" Rigoletto ".
She will sing alongside her husband, Azerbaijani tenor Yusif Eyvazov, Greek baritone Dimitri Platanias and Georgian mezzo Anita Rachvelishvili, accompanied by the orchestra of the Greek National Opera under the direction of French conductor Philippe Auguin.
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"We are very excited, especially to perform in this incredible historic venue with such a wonderful atmosphere," Netrebko said ahead of a rehearsal on Thursday.
Yusif Eyvazov welcomed this return to the public, after the closure of concert halls and opera houses around the world due to restrictions linked to the coronavirus which had given way to interpretations broadcast on the internet.
"We cannot sing without an audience," said the tenor.
Performing in a stadium poses very special challenges for opera singers, said Platanias.
“There are a lot of difficulties, like the wind blowing in the mics, but I hope these challenges will be overcome,” said the Greek baritone.
The Greek National Opera says it has chosen "the largest and safest open-air space in Athens" to reassure the public in the face of fears related to Covid-19.
Covid-19 cases are on the rise again in Greece, mainly due to the highly contagious Delta variant, forcing the government to reconsider the relaxation of measures announced for the summer.
This week, Greek authorities recommended that people returning from trips to the islands and the mainland carry out self-tests and wear masks in all indoor spaces and high-traffic outdoor areas.
Health authorities announced on Friday 1,997 new cases of Covid-19, the average number of daily cases over the past seven days rising to 1,081 against 442 the previous week.
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