Part VIII: A Universal Dimension (1985 ff.)

*AST numbers refer to the original catalogue of Theodorakis’s works compiled in Greek by Asteris Koutoulas

English version prepared by Gail Holst-Warhaft

Internet version prepared by Guy Wagner

107
AST 271

KOSTAS KARYIOTAKIS (THE METAMORPHOSES OF DIONYSOS)
Opera
Opera in two acts
Lyrics by Mikis Theodorakis, based on Kostas Karyotakis & Kostas Varnalis
For bass, contralto, 2 baritones, 4 tenors, 2 sopranos & chorus
21 scenes
Athens and Vrachati, 1985-6
First performance: Athens, 1987
First recording: SIRIOS/MBI (selections), 1991

108
AST 272

ARE WE LIVING IN ANOTHER COUNTRY? (MIPOS ZOUME S'ALLI CHORA)
Song Cycle
Poems by Manos Eleftheriou
12 songs
Athens, 1985
First performance: Goksoy (Turkey), 1986
First recording: SIRIOS, 1991

109
AST 273

ORESTEIA (Trilogy)
Music for Theatre
I AGAMEMNON
For chorus, classical instruments and percussion
II LIBATION BEARERS
For women’s chorus, bassoon, tuba, Bb clarinet, oboe, trumpet, horn and percussion
III EUMENIDES
For women’s chorus, 3 flutes and 3 cellos
Paris, Athens, Berlin, Moscow, 1986-1988
First performances: I, 1988
II, 1987
III, 1986
Complete trilogy: Epidaurus Theatre, 1990

110
AST 274

THE FACES OF THE SUN (TA PROSOPA TOU ILIOU)
Song Cycle
Poems by Dionysis Karatzas
17 songs
Athens, Vrachati, 1986
First performance: Piraeus, 1987
First recording: IOULIANOS, 1987

111
AST 275

SYMPHONY No. 4 (Choral)
Symphonic
Based on Aichilos (I) and Euripides (II)
"Dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Kapodistrian University of Athens"
For soprano, mezzo, mixed choir and symphony orchestra without violins
2 parts
[See AST 122]
Athens, Vrachati, Israel, and Paris, 1960, 1986-7
First performance: Athens, 1987
First recording: IOULIANOS, 1987

AST 276

THE FEROCITY OF THE BULL (TO TERIOU TOU TAUROU)
Music for Theatre
Social comedy
Play by Aziz Nessin
Athens, 1986
First performance: Athens, 1986

112
AST 277

BEATRICE ON ZERO STREET (I BEATRIKI STIN ODO MIDEN)
Song Cycle
Poems by Dionysis Karatzas (10) & Mikis Theodorakis (2)
"Melodies in the void"
For voice and piano
12 songs
Athens, 1987
[Arrangement for voice, large symphony orchestra and choir (sketches, 1987)= AST 283]
First performance: Patras, 1988
First recording: MINOS / EMI (nos. 1-12), 1994

113
AST 278

MEMORY OF STONE (MNIMI TIS PETRAS)
Song Cycle
Poems by Michalis Bouboulis
12 songs
Athens, 1987
First performance: Piraeus, 1987
First recording: IOULIANOS (nos. 1-11), 1987

114
AST 279

AS AN ANCIENT WIND (OS ARCHAIOS ANEMOS)
Song Cycle
Poems by Dionysis Karatzas
Rhapsody for 2 voices and quintet (oboe, cor anglais, cello, guitar, piano) and double bass
12 songs
Vrachati, Athens, 1987
First performance: Piraeus, 1987
First recording: IOULIANOS, 1987 

115
AST 280

HECUBA (EKAVI)
Music for Theatre
Tragedy by Euripides
For mezzo-soprano, choir, 2 flutes, trombone, double bass and percussion
7 parts
Paris, 1987
First performance: Epidaurus, 1987

116
AST 281

ZORBA THE GREEK
Ballet Music
Based on the novel By Nikos Kazantzakis
Poems by Michalis Cacoyannis, Odysseas Elytis, Nikos Gatsos, Iakovos Kambanellis, Yannis Ritsos, Enrikos Thalassinos & Mikis Theodorakis
Ballet for mezzo soprano, bouzouki/ clarinet, choir and symphony orchestra
[Includes musical material from the Greek Carnival of 1953 and some themes from the 1964 film of the same name, = see AST 47 and AST 159]
2 acts - 21 scenes
Athens, Vrachati, Paris, 1988
First performance: Verona (Arena di Verona), 1988
First recording: BMG, 1989. Also INTUITION, 1996

117
AST 282

SPRING WIND / A SEA FULL OF MUSIC (EARINOS ANEMOS / MIA THALASSA GEMATI MOUSIKI)
Song Cycle
Poems by Dimitra Manda
21 songs
Athens, Paris, 1987
First performance: Patras, 1988
First recording: AUVIDIS, 1994

AST 283

BEATRICE IN ZERO STREET [incomplete]
Symphonic
Poems by Dionysis Karatzas (3) & Mikis Theodorakis
For voice, first and second violins, cellos, basses, oboe, cor anglais, guitar and piano
Also in part for voice, large symphony orchestra and choir
4 parts
Athens, 1987
[See AST 277]

118
AST 284

MEDEA
Opera
"Hommage à Giuseppe Verdi"
Tragedy of Euripides. Libretto M. Theodorakis
Soprano, two mezzos, two tenors, baritone, two basses, women’s chorus, men’s chorus, children.
2 acts
Athens, and Paris, 1988-90
First performance: Bilbao, 1991

119
AST 285

CHOROS ASIKIKOS (GALLANT DANCES)
Chamber Music
"12 Dances and Songs based on Byzantine Games"
"Dedicated to Yo Yo Ma"
For solo cello
Athens, 1989

120
AST 286

ANTIGONE
Music for Theatre
Tragedy of Sophokles
For mezzo soprano, chorus, guitar and double bass
7 parts
Athens, Vrachati, 1990
First performance: Epidaurus, 1990

121
AST 287

CANTO OLYMPICO
Symphonic
"Commissioned by the President of the International Olympic Federation, Mr Samaranch for the Olympic Games of 1992 in Barcelona."
Lyrics by Dimitra Manda & Mikis Theodorakis
In seven parts: for tenor, bass, mixed choir and symphony orchestra.
Athens, 1990-91
First performance: Barcelona, 1992
First recording: LYRA / INTUITION, 1992

122
AST 288

HELLENISM
Symphonic
Poem by Yannis Ritsos (ROMIOSSINI)
For mezzo-soprano, choir and orchestra
3 movements
Vrachati, 1991
First performance: Olympic Games, Barcelona, 1992

123
AST 289

ELECTRA (ILEKTRA)
Opera
"Hommage à Giacomo Puccini"
Lyric Tragedy in 2 acts
Based on Sophokles. Libretto by S. Evangelatos
Athens, Vrachati, 1992-3
First performance: Luxembourg, 1995

124
AST 290

PROMETHEUS BOUND (PROMITHEUS DESMOTIS)
Music for Theatre
Tragedy by Aeschylus
4 parts
Athens, Vrachati, 1992
First performance: Epidaurus, 1992