ZORBA THE TURTLE

June 6, 2025, 7 pm

Guest performance by Sofia Opera and Ballet

Dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of Mikis Theodorakis

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The myth of Zorba has always been accepted as a symbol of the human quest for freedom. The story was first immortalised in the novella by the great Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis, on which the film script was written by Michael Kakoyannis, and in 1988 the ballet version was created by Lorca Massine to the music of the celebrated Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis.

The ballet Zorba the Greek, which had its world premiere on 6 August 1988 at the Arena di Verona, is a mega show in two acts and 22 pictures. This show has always been a box office success, it has been performed in over 30 countries and has been seen by over 3 million spectators. "From the moment of its premiere, Zorba the Greek has become a true cultural event. The ballet was also performed at the Caracalla Summer Festival in Rome (1991, 1992) and was presented again in 1993 to a full house. In 1994 the ballet toured to Brazil and Argentina. The outdoor performance in Rio de Janeiro, attended by 120,000 spectators, will remain memorable. "Zorba returned to Brazil in the spring of 1995.

In Bulgaria, the ballet was staged by Lorca Massine for the first time on 12 May 1995 on the stage of the National Palace of Culture. The production was one of the most successful productions in the ballet history of the National Opera and Ballet and was performed to packed houses.

MIKIS THEODORAKIS

is one of the most prominent Greek composers, a distinguished public, political and cultural figure. He graduated from the Athens Conservatoire under Philokratis Ekonomidis (1950) and from the Paris Conservatoire under Olivier Messiaen and Eugène Bigot.

His rich compositional output, known and loved throughout the world, encompasses works of various genres: operas, ballets, symphonies, oratorios, songs, film music.

Mikis Theodorakis's active socio-political activity is connected with the establishment of democracy in Greece.

"Zorba is the archetype of the primitive man, attached to everything beautiful and ugly in life. Inherent in him is the sense of wonder that we are about to lose, adapting to today's world, habits, conquests, comfort.

The place of a character like Zorba in our society will become increasingly important. New technologies will liberate man and provide him with more and more time for creative activity.

This will favour the birth of folk art."

CONTENTS

John, an American, arrives in a small Greek village, falls in love with the beautiful widow Marina and, attracted by the local customs, wishes to join them. The villagers, whose

strength lies in cohesion and tradition, show their dislike for John and Marina - daring to ignore the love of Yorgos and love a foreigner. She befriends John

only Zorba, a strong and free man who belongs to no one. With him is in love Madame Orthans, an aging soubrette, torn by the memories of love that have come to life

again through Zorba. And he, proud and independent, gives her a few moments of joy and love shortly before his death. Marina becomes a victim of the revenge-seeking mob. Zorba barely manages to save the desperate John from the fury of the villagers. Deeply embittered, Zorba regains his vitality by dancing the sirtaki; John, the foreigner, dances, and so do all the people. All seek solace, oblivion and strength for a new life.