From July 5 to 14, 2013
The 31th INTERNATIONAL CHORAL FESTIVAL OF KARDITSA
(GREECE)
The International Festival of Karditsa is a leading artistic event in
Greece and worldwide due to its unique regulation. The philosophy of the
Festival aims not only at the artistic approach but also at a
musical-pedagogical, social and even more at a political rapprochement of the
different countries of the participating choirs. The steady ambition of
the Festival is to promote the choral music and let old monophonic and
polyphonic music be discovered by conductors, singers and audience.
From July 5 to 14, 2013 it will be held the 31th International Festival of
Karditsa which is dedicated to Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) for the 200 years
since his birth, Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) for the 100 years since his birth
and Richard Wagner (1813-1883) for the 200 years from his birth, who this year
celebrates all the choral world.
The Choral Festival of Karditsa, in which have taken place leading
choirs from all over the world, great orchestras and prominent soloists, it is
organized since 1983 in Karditsa and it is a premier cultural event, that is
implemented under the artistic direction of Conductor, Prof. Nikos Efthimiadis.
As additional features, it includes a regulation that might be unique on a
global scale, because it ensures the simultaneous realization of many first
performances on demand by Greek and foreign composers helping on that way the
contemporary music creation. Also, it provides a very large number of
performers, who come from every corner of Europe and the world.
The originalities of the Festival in the world are:
1. The
choirs that are taking part are required to present specific works under the
control of an International Committee, which is composed of recognized value
foreign and Greek conductors, representatives of the various music schools.
At the end of
each evening, in a special discussion with the jury, the directors of the
choirs receive suggestions for improvement etc.
2. The
choirs are forced to perform and interpret among other works ancient Greek,
Byzantine, Gregorian and Modern Greek music.
3. At
the end of each evening, all the choirs’ together or selected members,
interpret a work of Greek or foreign composer at first performance, that is
conducted every time a member of the International Jury. In this way the
conductors and choirs, Greek and foreign, have the opportunity to work together
for a better preparation of joint projects, to work laboratory under the direction
of distinguished conductors to a very interesting but unknown works reaping
many technical benefits, while renewing and their repertoire.
4. These
works of Greek and foreign composers are written by order for the International
Festival of Karditsa specifically.
5. The
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF KARDITSA includes many other events consisting of:
evenings of opera, symphonic music, religious music at the monastery of Corona,
bands performances, exhibitions of paintings and engravings etc.
For the first time worldwide the Byzantine and ancient Greek music,
participate equally with Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony.
Another choral obligation is to perform works by 15th and 16th century,
so it gives to the choirs the opportunity to study and deepen to the
masterpieces of classical polyphony. Apart from the works of romantic
composers, they undertake to perform works by contemporary Greek composers and
traditional country music.
For the success of the event help the Municipality of Karditsa, the
Regional Section of Karditsa (Thessaly), the Metropolis Thessaliotidos and
Fanariofersalon, and the Pan-Hellenic Federation of Choirs and Choral
Directors.
The Festival is held at the Municipal Theatre of Karditsa including concerts
at other sites in the wide area (open theatres, parks, markets, monasteries,
sites at “Nikolaos Plasteras” lake, Cathedral of Karditsa etc).
For more information about Regulation and
Registration for those who are interested can be addressed to the Secretariat
of the Festival:
Kolokotroni and Hydra 38,
PC 43100 Karditsa
Tel : 24410 - 75440, 24410 – 42896
Fax : 24410 – 21970