The revival of Luigi Cherubini’s “Medea” at the Ancient Theater of Epidaurus last Saturday overcame two formidable challenges: returning opera to the venue after decades of absence and reconstructing a landmark production first staged 65 years ago.
The sold-out event, which drew 10,000 spectators, carried unusually high expectations.
Directed by Panaghis Pagoulatos, the reconstruction revisited the celebrated 1961 staging by Alexis Minotis, with designs by Yannis Tsarouchis and choreography by Maria Hors.
The central question was whether a theatrical language forged in the early 1960s could still resonate with contemporary audiences. The answer proved largely affirmative.
The production’s enduring strength lay in the coherence of its artistic vision. Rather than treating antiquity as decoration, its creators developed a modern language rooted in tradition, giving the staging a surprising freshness despite its age.
