Date: July 18, 2025
Location: Sani Amphitheatre, Siviri โ Kassandra, Halkidiki, Greece
The renowned Kassandra Festival (ฮฆฮตฯฯฮนฮฒฮฌฮป ฮฮฑฯฯฮฌฮฝฮดฯฮฑฯ) officially opens its 2025 edition on Friday, July 18, with a grand musical tribute to one of the most iconic figures in operatic history – Maria Callas. The event, titled โThe Voice That Unites Worldsโ, promises an emotionally charged evening at the atmospheric Siviri Amphitheatre, honoring the centennial legacy of โLa Divina.โ
This prestigious opening night brings together internationally acclaimed opera singers, musicians, visual artists, and cultural figures in a performance that blends music, memory, and visual arts, firmly placing the Kassandra Festival at the heart of Greeceโs summer cultural calendar.
A Night of Artistic Elegance and Operatic Grandeur
Curated and directed by celebrated Greek actress and director Bessy Malfa, the tribute features a constellation of talent:
- Filippos Modinos โ Award-winning tenor with international acclaim
- Elena Kelessidi โ Globally recognized soprano with a career spanning Covent Garden, La Scala, and beyond
- Inka Balabanova โ Pontian soprano fusing tradition with classical performance
- Lamprini Bantziou โ Acclaimed Greek soprano known for roles such as Lady Macbeth
- Maria Devitzaki โ Lyrical soprano and academic, bridging opera and research
- Special Guest: Giorgos Davlas โ Tenor and renowned PR figure in Greeceโs cultural scene
- Piano: Dimitris Giakas, with performances from top lyrical theaters in France and Greece
- Visual Art Direction: Giorgos Bounias, Milan-based artist and scenographer
- Presenters: Bessy Malfa and visual artist Christos Chatzivasileiou
Parallel Exhibition: โLa Divinaโ โ July 18โ20
Running alongside the concert is the โLa Divinaโ exhibition, a three-day showcase dedicated to Maria Callas. The exhibit includes rare personal artifacts, photographs, and archival material from the private collection of Nikos Charalampopoulos, a cultural curator who has exhibited Callas memorabilia at major institutions, including:
- The Athens Concert Hall (Megaron)
- The Old Parliament Building
- The Maria Callas Museum in Athens
- The Venice premiere of the film Maria starring Angelina Jolie
This marks the first time the โLa Divinaโ exhibition will be hosted in Chalkidiki, offering a rare opportunity for visitors and opera lovers to experience an intimate look into the life and artistry of Maria Callas.
Contemporary Art Exhibit by Lazaros Pantos
Simultaneously, works by renowned Greek visual artist Lazaros Pantos will be on display at the Siviri Amphitheatre. Known for his timeless and spiritual painting style, influenced by classical Greek aesthetics and Fayum portraits, Pantos adds a rich visual dimension to the festivalโs opening.
Ticket Information
- Standard Admission: โฌ18
- Reduced Admission: โฌ15 (Students, Unemployed, Disabled Persons)
Why You Should Attend
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Siviriโs open-air amphitheatre and under the stars of the Halkidiki sky, this unique evening unites music, memory, and art in celebration of a global icon. The Kassandra Festival 2025 not only commemorates the legacy of Maria Callas but also reaffirms northern Greeceโs role as a summer destination for high-caliber cultural tourism.
Whether you are an opera aficionado, an art enthusiast, or simply in search of authentic cultural experiences in Sithonia and Kassandra, this event is a must-see highlight of the summer season.
How to Get There
Siviri is located on the Kassandra peninsula of Halkidiki, approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Thessaloniki by car. The Sani Amphitheatre offers ample parking and a scenic setting surrounded by pine forests and coastal views.
Donโt miss this extraordinary cultural event in Chalkidiki. Celebrate Maria CallasโGreeceโs eternal voiceโwhere the Aegean meets art.
