THE ANCIENT AND MODERN GREEK THEATER

Today we have a second video to share on the history of ancient Greek theater. (and the not so ancient, as it happens). The first part (link) was oriented on a BBC documentary called "The Greatest Show on Earth" (full playlist). These ancient theater pieces are dealing with major concepts like good governance, justice, issues of war and peace, human nature and hubris. rich and poor, democracy, free will, fate and morality. These stories are not just carriers of memes or morality plays; they also show reality and wisdom. So as to illustrate the magnitude these stories are dealing with, we called part 1, The Cosmic Story. 

Feb. 1, 2025 Lantern Jack: What Did the World's First Pop Star Sound Like?

The ancient Greek theater was also the birthplace of the superstar vocalist. The first venue in history where over ten thousand spectators could all listen to the same musical performer at the same time, was the Theater of Dionysus in Athens.

Part 2 explains why modern Greek productions that combine acting and music, like the Alpha TV series "Sasmos" (link) and the contemporary theater play, "Όμορφη πόλη" ("Beautiful City") set to music by Mikis Theodorakis, are nothing new in Greek theater history.

"Beautiful City" is back for a short reprise in Athens Pallas Theater until Feb. 7 (link). The show will continue in Thessaloniki into February and will then go on a world world tour of the US, Australia and several European countries, in cities that will soon be announced.



Jan. 18, 2020 MusicCityGr: Κότσιρας, Μπάσης, Νέγκα - Όμορφη πόλη live στο Μέγαρο Μουσικής Αθηνών. (Yannis Kotsiras, Dimitris Bases, Iota Negha - Beautiful City). 

"Beautiful City" was first performed in 1962. A number of historical performances since then are still available on YouTube (link). 

The Alpha TV series "Sasmos" (link) which we dealt with in parts in some of our music videos, even inspired an entirely new project of ours, translating Greek lyrics into English (link). 

Part 2 also answers the question what did ancient music sound like? In this episode, you will hear three songs that are over 2000 years old! 

Building on the work of his predecessors Aeschylus and Sophocles, it was Euripides (c. 480–406 BC) who realized the power of 'monody' or solo singing and made it into a new and revolutionary musical form.

Few people in the world today know more about ancient music than Lantern Jack's guest in this episode. Claire Catenaccio is an assistant professor of classics at Georgetown University who specializes in the study of ancient drama and its modern reception.

Her recent book "Monody in Euripides" explores monody – namely solo actor's song – in the tragedies of Euripides. Her scholarship is informed by her experience as a director and historical consultant in many modern productions of ancient Greek theater plays.

Enjoy! 

- Music videos, Hellenism -