When I travel, I seek experiences that most tourists rarely consider: live classical music at Notre Dame, pilgrimages in Spain, Munich’s Oktoberfest, you get the idea. A few days before my departure to Greece, I was thrilled to have snagged a pair of the few remaining tickets to the Athens Epidaurus Festival. In its 70th year, this cultural event showcases Greek performances in theatre, dance, music, art, and more.
Our tickets were for Giuseppe Verdi’s operatic masterpiece, Rigoletto. The mostly Greek cast, along with internationally renowned opera singers, performed beautifully in Italian. Not to be outdone, the equally talented orchestra deftly manipulated the audience’s emotions as scenes unfolded. A softly lit moon and a scattering of constellations, were a welcome distraction from the 90+°F nighttime temperature whenever thoughts of the oppressive heat crept in. Now imagine all this occurring in the 2nd-century Odeon of Herodes Atticus (aka Herodeon) with a glowing Acropolis above you! It was divine!
These are the travel moments I live for. They fuel my anticipation for the next adventure. Sadly, this was the final time the festival would be held in the Herodeon before it closes this fall for three years of renovations. In travel, timing is everything, but a touch of expertise never hurts. -MMR
