Thalassa Quarry

Koumela’s Quarry, one of the most iconic green marble quarries in Tinos island Greece, becomes a musical and theatrical set for the first time in its history. A diverse group of artists presents an original performance of contemporary musical theater turning its imposing landscape to canvas and musical score.

Exploring marble’s characteristics, the stages of its excavation, its metamorphic nature, and its function as memory-matter, the performance becomes a composition of the various landscape’s elements. The sounds of the marble found in the quarry are juxtaposed to the ones of the craftsmen sculpting it. At the same time, the sounds of a wind and percussion ensemble, a female polyphonic ensemble, narration, and movement compose a ritual of descent down the quarry’s different levels. The site’s natural soundscape accentuates the uniqueness of the composed sonic environment.

The original score and the music direction is by composer and conductor Andreas Levisianos and the text by Dimitra Kandia, who also undertakes the vocal design. The stage direction and choreography is by Marilena Katranidou. Cinematography and streaming direction is by Manos Arvanitakis and Christos Atzinas. The performance “Thalassa Quarry” is produced and commissioned by Kinono - Tinos Art Gathering. The online performance platform aejaa co-produces and brings the performance on the online medium.

The performance ‘Thalassa Quarry’ premiered on-site in the afternoon of May 22nd with the participation of the Thalassa Quarry - Open Call residents, and will be streamed by aejaa on June 5th and 6th, at 21:00 Athens time.

Performers: Dimitra Kandia , Aliki Atsalaki, Eirini Kiriakou, Eirini Androulaki and Eftihia Tsoukala (voices), Dora Sarri, Eugenia Petropoulou, Eugenia Ioannou, Angeliki Lountzi, Eva Koutsoupaki and Ioulia Zacharaki (movement), Dafni Megkou , Thanassis Zacharopoulos (clarinets), Manos Ventouras (horn), Andreas Rolandos Theodorou (trombone), Panagiotis Ziavras (percussion), Teodora Jevtovic and Chippo (marble).

Original Score, Music Direction by Andreas Levisianos

Concept, Texts, Vocal Design by Dimitra Kandia

Stage Direction and Choreography by Marilena Katranidou

Cinematography and Streaming Direction by Manos Arvanitakis and Christos Atzinas

Sound Engineer: Steve Bates

Graphic Designer: Niko Crnčević

Production coordination: Alexia Pappa

Produced by Kinono - Tinos Art Gathering

Kinono’s artistic director: Christos Artemis

Presented and co-produced by aejaa