Wednesday 06 January 2021 20:30
Watch the concert:
On Wednesday, January 6, at 20:30, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) and the Musicians of the Camerata - The friends of Music Orchestra, led by the internationally acclaimed maestro George Petrou, welcome the New Year with one of the 18th century's most important celebratory works, Water Music by Georg Friederich Händel (1685-1759). Water Music is an orchestral piece consisting of three suites, and considered one of the greatest and most representative creations of Baroque music.
Water Music was written in 1717 to accompany King George I and members of his court on an eccentric "excursion" along London's River Thames, in the presence of Händel himself, which lasted over four hours. More than 50 musicians on a separate barge played the piece three times, following the king's enthusiastic response, while several Londoners had gathered along the riverbanks to watch this unusual concert. The work, which was orchestrated for a large ensemble in response to the demands of an open air performance, was subsequently published in a second version for a smaller ensemble, suitable for performances indoors. According to the legend surrounding this famous piece, Händel composed it in the hope of regaining the favor of King George I. George had commissioned him for several works before ascending to the British throne, while he was still Elector of Hanover, and it seems that Händel fell out of favor when he moved to London during the reign of Queen Anne.
The Musicians of the Camerata - The Friends of Music Orchestra (internationally known as Armonia Atenea) are considered one of the leading ensembles specializing in historically accurate performances, with particular emphasis on the music of Händel. The Athenian orchestra has received the highest acclaim by the international Press the for its recorded performances, and makes regular appearances in the major concert and festival halls across Europe.
George Petrou, one of the top orchestra conductors in Greece, has enjoyed an illustrious career, with frequent appearances in major theaters and concert halls across the globe. He regularly partners with acclaimed orchestras, with a large part of his conducting work focused on opera. At the same time, he has developed a keen interest in stage directing, with numerous successful opera and musical theater productions to his name. He has been honored with the ECHO KLASSIK prize, and received a nomination for a Grammy award in 2018. He has been awarded the title of “Chevalier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres” by the French government, and the honorary title of “Associate” (ARAM) by the Royal Academy of Music in London. The Association of Greek Critics of Music and Drama awarded him the Grand Prize for Music in 2018. From 2021, he will assume the role of artistic director of the historic Göttingen International Handel Festival. He is the artistic director of the Camerata – The Friends of Music Orchestra, which is known internationally as Armonia Atenea. He studied piano at the Athens Conservatoire, and completed his studies at the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music in London, on scholarships by the Royal Academy and the Onassis Foundation.
Wednesday 06/01, 20.30
STAVROS NIARCHOS HALL
You may watch the event live on this page, as well as on the SNFCC’s Facebook page and YouTube Channel @SNFCC.
