Rare, 1999, Signed, Theater Program, Thanos Mikroutsikos, Il Ritorno di Elena, The Return of Helen, 62nd Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

Thanos Mikroutsikos (1947–2019) was a prominent Greek composer and politician, celebrated for his innovative fusion of classical music with Greek poetic traditions. His compositions often drew inspiration from esteemed poets such as Yannis Ritsos, Konstantinos Kavafis, and Bertolt Brecht. Beyond his musical contributions, Mikroutsikos served as Greece’s Minister for Culture from 1994 to 1996, playing a significant role in the country’s cultural landscape. ​

One of his notable works is the opera “Il Ritorno di Elena” (The Return of Helen), composed between 1992 and 1993. This one-act opera, structured into six scenes, features a libretto by Christos Lambrakis and incorporates poems by Yannis Ritsos. The composition is crafted for nine vocalists, a mixed choir, orchestra, and a trio, exemplifying Mikroutsikos’s distinctive blend of modernist musical elements with classical Greek themes.