ATHENS, Greece — Nestled at the base of the Acropolis, the Odeon of Herod Atticus is a must-visit for tourists, a revered stage for artists, and a cultural cornerstone for Athenians. This ancient theater recently launched the 70th Athens Epidaurus Festival, but this season will be its last before a three-year closure for extensive restoration.
The 1,800-year-old venue, a highlight of the festival, has hosted icons like Luciano Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra, Coldplay, and Maria Callas. Known for its music performances, alongside theater and dance, the Odeon is a beloved open-air theater where audiences enjoy world-class shows under the stars.
“This theater is the heart of the festival,” said Katerina Evangelatos, artistic director since 2019. “It’s synonymous with Athens’ cultural scene.”
The festival opened with the Greek National Opera’s production of Puccini’s Turandot, requiring temporary structures to expand dressing rooms and a wooden platform over the orchestra pit to accommodate the large cast and elaborate staging, including the dramatic scene of the emperor’s throne.
Giorgos Koumendakis, the opera’s artistic director, calls the Odeon a “fatigued space” that inspires reverence. “It’s like a temple of art. Performers and audiences feel its historical weight and give their all,” he said.
Previous restorations cleaned surfaces, filled cracks, and added new seating, but the upcoming work’s scope depends on ongoing studies. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni confirmed the closure will begin after this summer, with at least three years needed, though the reopening date remains uncertain.
The closure will force the festival to find alternative venues. Evangelatos reflected on its 70-year legacy, born during Greece’s postwar struggles, calling it “a miracle of survival and artistic legacy.”
On opening night, backstage buzzed with preparations as soprano Lise Lindstrom, starring as Turandot, marveled at the setting. “Singing here, with the Acropolis above and an absorbed audience below, is magical and mind-blowing,” she said.
As Lindstrom took the stage, the Odeon began its final season, poised for a long intermission before its next act.
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