The Greek Passion “Best performance of the year 2023”

“What was so important to the composer Bohuslav Martinů 70 years ago about the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis was so important and touching that he composed an opera about it, still concerns us just as much today: People on the run, a society dividing itself, tragic escalation into violence. When the scenic and musical realisation of such a relevant work and musical realisation of such a relevant work succeed at the highest level, both the programme designers and the creative team have done everything right. The Greek Passion at the Salzburg Festival 2023, rousingly conducted by Maxime Pascal and thrillingly directed by Simon Stone, was the best performance of the year for us.” With this jury statement of the specialist magazine OPER!, The Greek Passion was voted performance of the year.

Artistic Director Markus Hinterhäuser accepted the award in person last night at the Opera House and expressed his gratitude for the award: “The opera The Greek Passion is a true masterpiece. The Greek Passion is a true masterpiece. The fact that its first performance at the Salzburg Festival has been honoured with this award confirms the high quality of Simon Stone’s Simon Stone’s direction and the outstanding musical performances of the singers and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra singers and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of the marvellous conductor Maxime Pascal.”