Collection
Collection
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 2
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 3
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 4
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 5
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 6
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 7
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 8
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 9
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 10
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 11
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 12
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 13
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 14
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 15
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 16
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 17
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 18
1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period - Image 19

1941-1943, Lot of 2 Rare WWII Athens Theatre Programmes, Mozart at National Theatre & “Bertrand et Raton” at Cybele Theater– German Occupation Period

160.00€

A rare and historically significant lot of two original Greek theatre programmes printed in Athens during the Axis Occupation (1941–1944). Ephemeral material from this period is scarce, especially relating to major theatrical and operatic productions.

These programmes document cultural life in occupied Athens and reflect how theatre and music continued under difficult political circumstances.

Included in this Lot:

1. 1941 – Mozart, Η Απαγωγή από το Σεράι

Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Opera: Die Entführung aus dem Serail

Venue: Εθνικό Θέατρο Ελλάδος (Agίου Konstantinou Street, Athens)
Director: Κωνσταντίνος (Ντίνος) Γιαννόπουλος
Soprano: Φραντσέσκα Νικήτα (Konstanze)
Baritone: Νίκος Παπαχρήστος (Osmin)

4 pages
16.5 × 24.5 cm

Issued for the 150th anniversary of Mozart’s death.

The final page lists November–December 1941 festivities printed in Greek, German, and Italian, reflecting the political reality of the Occupation. The opera performance is dated 12 December 1941.

The cover features the well-known portrait image of the young Mozart at the piano.

2, 1942–1943 – Μπερτράν και Ρατόν (Bertrand et Raton ou l’art de conspirer /The School for Politicians, 1830, a “serious” five-act comedy)
Original author: Eugène Scribe

Season: Winter 1942–1943
Director: Κωστής Μπαστιάς (Kostis Bastias)
Translator and Costume Designer: Αλέξης Σολομός (Alexis Solomos)
Set Designer: Γιώργος Βακαλό (Giorgos Vakalo)

Theatre: Θέατρο Κυβέλης / Cybele Theater (formerly: Διονύσια/Dionysia), Syntagma Square, Athens

3-fold brochure
17.5 × 11.5 cm (folded)

A rare survival from wartime Athenian theatrical production.

Historical Context (Occupation Period)

The National Theatre, originally founded as the Royal Theatre (Βασιλικό Θέατρο), was renamed National Theatre during the Occupation.

Cultural institutions in Athens continued operating under strict censorship but remained central to intellectual and artistic life.

Performances during this period often carried symbolic weight, offering morale and continuity amid hardship.

Multilingual printed material (Greek–German–Italian) reflects the Axis administrative presence in Greece (German and Italian occupation zones).

Ephemeral theatre programmes from 1941–1943 are increasingly sought after as primary documents of wartime cultural history.

Condition:

Both programmes preserved in good vintage condition for their age. Light age toning and wear consistent with wartime paper quality. Please see photos carefully.

Why This Lot Is Important:

Authentic WWII Occupation-era Greek theatre ephemera

National Theatre performance during Axis rule

Mozart anniversary production in 1941 Athens

Rare survival of fragile printed material

Strong crossover appeal: theatre history, WWII history, Greek cultural history, opera collectors