The Emperor's Nightingale

About

After its successful run at the Alternative Stage, Lena Platonos’ musical fairy tale, The emperor’s nightingale, was presented during the 2019/20 season on the main stage of the Stavros Niarchos Hall. This production is notable for its impressive integration of opera with animation. Lena Platonos composed The emperor’s nightingale in 1989, describing it as a “musical fairy tale with operatic features and neo-impressionistic music,” with a libretto by Giorgos Voloudakis, adapted from Hans Christian Andersen’s original story. Andersen’s narrative is reinterpreted as a parable exploring the relationship between art and technology, a theme highly relevant today. The work’s contemporary message, the harmonious blend of analog and electronic music, Platonos’ captivating melodic lines, and the masterful vocal writing collectively make The emperor’s nightingale an ideal introduction for children to the enchanting world of lyric art.