PRESS RELEASE

MESSENGER OF "MESSIAH" BY HANDEL MESMERIZES IN A UNIQUE CONCERT IN KARDITSA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN CENTRAL GREECE

The Oratorio "Messiah" by Georg Friedrich Handel literally enchanted the audience in Karditsa in an unprecedented concert that took place for the first time in Central Greece.

The top Christmas Concert of the last decades with Handel's "Messiah" was enjoyed by an enthusiastic audience, filling the "Aphrodite" hall of Kierion Hotel last Sunday, December 18, 2022. Outstanding soloists of high caliber from abroad, a Symphony Orchestra, and a Mixed Choir presented a performance of the highest level, equivalent to those of top European capitals.

The excellent narrator Konstantina Dantami and the substantive presentation by the unique Alexis Kostalas enthralled the diverse audience, among whom were many prominent residents of Karditsa led by Deputy Regional Governor Kostas Nousios, who played a leading role in organizing this unique and unparalleled concert.

A two-hour professional Baroque music concert featuring a top-tier work that, for the first time, gave many Karditsans the opportunity to experience it in its entirety.

This massive production, lasting two hours, presented for the first time in Karditsa by the International Karditsa Festival with the support of the Region of Thessaly, featured "Messiah" by Georg Friedrich Handel, the composer's most popular work which is an integral part of the Christmas programming of all major European opera houses. It was beloved from the outset and has become inseparable from the celebration of Christmas.

One of the highest peaks of the Baroque era and the most popular composition of its creator, the oratorio "Messiah" narrates the story of Jesus and, with its melodiousness, leads the listener to a state of spiritual bliss. A unique listening experience that settled in the hearts of all who experienced it.

The texts of the prophecies and promises were curated by Professor of Theology and Gymnasiarch, Mr. Nikos Karatasios, and Professor of Philology and Gymnasiarch, Mr. Serafeim Mylonas.

The concert was initiated by the Panhellenic Federation of Choirs and Choir Conductors, co-organized by the Region of Thessaly - Regional Unit of Karditsa under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Sports, within the framework of the 40th International Karditsa Festival and the program "Let's Sing Oratorio Music". Nikos Efthymiadis presented four masterpieces of Music Philology recently, including two works by Greek composers, the cantata "Memories" by composer Christos Samarás, the cantata "Eternal Soul" by composer Joseph Valet, Haydn's oratorio "Creation," and Handel's oratorio "Messiah," offering significant emotions to performers and audiences alike.