Performing arts

The Metropolitan Opera of New York is wooing a younger audience -- make that very, very young.

The Greek National Opera has teamed up with British performance company 1927 and Barrie Kosky, the Australian artistic director of the Komische Oper Berlin, to present his innovative production of Mozart's classic "Magic Flute" at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center on March 31 and April 1, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 17 and 29.

Turkish theaters will raise their curtains for free today to mark World Theater Day celebrated around the globe on March 27. 

The Sofia Opera hosts an International Opera Europe forum from March 22nd to March 24th. The Forum will gather in the opera 87 directors and various representatives of major opera theaters from Europe, America and Canada.

Nicholas Payne, Director of Opera Europe, writes about the forum in Sofia:

An experienced Cirque du Soleil performer has died after plunging onto a stage during an aerial straps routine at a weekend show in Tampa, Florida, the company said on March 18.

Karromato, a Czech marionette company that is renowned for its vintage puppets and old-school narrative, is in Athens for three shows at the Mairivi Theater with the entertaining and humorous production "Wooden Circus." Shows start at 8 p.m. on Friday, 5 p.m. on Saturday, and noon on Sunday, and tickets cost 10 euros.

The Trianon Cinema is hosting a production of Giacomo Rossini's charming "Barber of Seville" that is directed by Jenny Arseni and features singers from various music schools, as well as professionals in the lead roles. The final show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets cost 10 euros (8 euros in advance from www.viva.gr).

The Blue Man Group caught Istanbul’s attention on Feb. 12 as they performed on the city’s streets ahead of their first ever show in Turkey at the Zorlu Performance Hall. 

Critically acclaimed and widely popular American modern dance company Pilobolus is coming to the Athens Concert Hall for five awe-inspiring performances of its landmark production "Shadowland." "Part shadow act, part dance, part circus and part concert," the production recounts a teenage girl's strange and terrifying dreams.

The Association of Friends of the Tatoi Estate is organizing its fifth Opera Gala to raise funds for the conservation of the former royal estate in northern Athens on December 18, starting at 8 p.m. at the Parnassos Literary Society. The concert will feature Vassiliki Karayanni (soprano), Nikos Spanatis (countertenor) and Charis Andrianos (baritone), accompanied by pianist Dimitris Giakas.