The Organization of Culture, Sports, and Youth of the Municipality of Athens (OPANDA) participates in this year’s European Music Day, inviting the public to two special evenings in the National Garden, with free admission. The Musical Ensembles of the Municipality of Athens present a rich and eclectic program, ranging from romantic symphonic music to jazz and Greek cinema.

 Friday 20 June| At 19:00

Symphonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens
150 years since the death of Georges Bizet – Young Soloists

The Symphonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens honors one of the most important composers of the 19th century, Georges Bizet (1838–1875), through a tribute concert featuring works that highlight the lyrical intensity and theatricality of his music. The program includes emblematic compositions such as Symphony No. 1 in C, the suite “Scènes Bohémiennes” from the opera La jolie fille de Perth, and excerpts from the suite Jeux d’enfants. The program is complemented by two outstanding young soloists, Alexandros Sioupoulis on cello and Ioannis Nikolis on violin, performing respectively the famous Cello Concerto No. 1 by Camille Saint-Saëns and the fantasy for violin and orchestra from the immortal opera Carmen by Pablo de Sarasate. The orchestra is conducted by the distinguished conductor Andreas Tselikas.

Soloists:
Ioannis Nikolis (violin) – Fantaisie de concert sur Carmen, Pablo de Sarasate
Alexandros Sioupoulis (cello) – Concerto N.1, Camille Saint-Saëns
Conductor: Andreas Tselikas

Saturday 21 June| At 18:30

City of Athens Big Band 
A dynamic concert with jazz standards and historical arrangements spanning decades of musical creation. The Big Band of the Municipality of Athens, with a rich concert activity and international collaborations, brings the passion, rhythm and energy of jazz to the National Garden.

Αrtistic supervisor: Sammie Amiris

Saturday 21 June| At 19:30

Greek Music Workshop of the Municipality of Athens
Tribute to Greek Cinema
Unforgettable melodies from Greek cinema that have marked eras and generations. The Workshop presents works by great artists such as Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hadjidakis, Stavros Xarchakos, Dionysis Savvopoulos and others.
They perform: Dora Loizou and Manolis Skoulas
Music direction & arrangements: Angelos Elias