Welcome back! I hope you’ve rested and feel ready to face the new season. Every September, I’m forced to confront the familiar paradox: the year conceptually begins, but not chronologically. Something needs to be done about it, but who will do it? It would mean everything would have to be overturned – the seasons, the plans, the way we see the world would have to change. Personally, I believe it would be a huge relief for everyone, but what does it matter? Nothing will change anyway…
You’ve surely already seen, and perhaps even purchased, some of your tickets for various concerts coming early in the season. I hope all the wonderful things you’re seeing and reading have whetted your appetite for plenty of music. Of course, certain concerts stand out (as evidenced by their pre-sales), but I would focus on two significant events: one is the presentation of the opera Flora Mirabilis by Samaras on September 27th (as I’m writing this, it’s the 26th, so you still have time as there are a few tickets left) in concert form at the Greek National Opera. Spyridon Filiskos Samaras was a star composer of his time, not only in Greece but mainly in Italy. His music is enchanting, and it’s a shame it’s not performed as often as it should be. The other event is much later and is a concert by one of my favorite ensembles, Les Arts Florissants, who will present Johann Sebastian Bach’s Christmas Oratorio at the Megaron Concert Hall on December 16th. It will be magical. There are many tickets available right now, but don’t leave it until the last minute, or you’ll have to pull strings to find one.
In the meantime, there are many wonderful things of all kinds to attend, and we’ll certainly have much to talk about all winter, and even more when we meet in person! Just let winter arrive, because I can’t stand the heat, even if we’re having a short autumn these days.
Otherwise, if you really need to meet, I suggest you come to the Reading Club we’ve set up at the Music Library, which is also slowly starting its activities. The first book we’ll discuss is Hermann Hesse’s “Gertrude” on Wednesday, October 1st (despite the strike, we’ll be there), and our meeting point is, as always, at the entrance of the Reading Room of the Music Library of the Friends of Music Society at the Megaron. Admission is free, and we start at 7:00 PM. If you haven’t read the book and decide to come but don’t like spoilers, then you’ll probably be disappointed because there’s a tendency to discuss and reveal the ending! The good thing is that everyone who comes is well-read. The other good thing is that you can read the book over the weekend because it’s fascinating. More information here https://mmb.org.gr/el/leshi-anagnosis
Have a good season/post-summer/winter (I prefer it as a wish because I’m a realist), and we’ll be here to chat, discuss, and meet!
