By Margarita Kataga

Art Historian

The Athens–Epidaurus Festival treated its audience to a magical evening of music at the historic Herodion on Monday, June 29, 2026, with an epic performance of Gustav Mahler’s Eighth Symphony.

The Athens State Orchestra, featuring eight soloists and four choirs under the baton of Polish conductor Michał Nesterowicz, conveyed the epic scope of Gustav Mahler’s magnificent Symphony No. 8, also known as “Symphony of a Thousand,”

Awe, mysticism, and a sense of alternation between the monumental and the melodic dimensions amid a symphonic feast were offered by the Athens State Orchestra, in collaboration with lyric singers and three choirs, one of which was a children’s choir. They powerfully conveyed the religious grandeur and monumental scale of Mahler’s hymn to creative power, love, and spiritual redemption. The imposing symphonic work was conducted by the composer himself at its premiere on September 12, 1910, in Munich, with 858 singers and 171 orchestra musicians.

The harmonious coexistence of words and music, the symbolic “dialogue” between wind instruments, strings, and human voices at various points, conveyed messages of spirituality and bliss within the ancient theater through one of the most majestic works in the symphonic repertoire.

The audience bid farewell to the iconic Herodion on the eve of the monument’s closure with the epic “Symphony of a Thousand,” as well as on the following and final day with a concert by the American rhythm-and-blues singer and pianist, John Legend.

The Odeon, one of the most important monuments in the city of Athens, was built in 161 AD by the Athenian orator and benefactor Herodes Atticus. It remained inactive over the centuries, and it was not until the 1950s, following its restoration, did it resume operations as part of the Athens & Epidaurus Festival program, and since then it has hosted some of the most historic moments in music and theater worldwide.

Its gates are set to close to the global public due to extensive restoration and refurbishment works set to begin in the summer of 2026 and expected to last approximately three years.