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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Entertainment
Tina Arena as told to Janine Israel

Tina Arena’s unforgettable gig: Maria Callas looked over me as I stepped on to the ancient Greek amphitheatre

Australian star Tina Arena (left) took inspiration from American-born Greek opera singer Maria Callas (pictured here in 1962), whose giant poster adorned the ‘exquisite’ Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
Australian star Tina Arena (left) took inspiration from American-born Greek opera singer Maria Callas (pictured here in 1962), whose giant poster adorned the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens. Composite: Bernard Gueit/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

In September 2016 I was invited by my Greek friend George Perris to perform with him and Greek tenor Mario Frangoulis at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, which is overlooked by the Parthenon in Athens.

It was the most exquisite venue I have ever had the privilege to play. I’ve been fortunate enough to play some extraordinary venues – the Sydney Opera House (the view and location is just otherworldly and it’s in our back yard); the Royal Albert Hall in London is something I really loved – but there was something about the Herodes Atticus that was magical and mystical. Performing in an outdoor stone auditorium – a Greek theatre in the true sense of the word – that is almost 2,000 years old, and to experience how the natural acoustics resonate, was a profound experience for me.

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