A Little Night Music

Last night we had the opportunity (of a lifetime) to attend a concert at the Odeon (Concert Hall) of Herodes Atticus on the south slope of the Acropolis. Audrey gives a great description of the lead-up to the concert on her blog.

I loved the first part of the concert (Bach). The second half... well, let's say it gave me plenty of time to admire the architecture of the Odeon. The structure was built in the second half of the second century AD by a certain Lucius Vibullius Hipparchus Tiberius Claudius Atticus Herodes Marathonios, who was necessarily called Herodes Atticus for short. He was born in Marathon and became fabulously wealthy. He funded many other buildings throughout Greece, including another theatre at Corinth. The highlight of his career was being appointed as consul by one of the "Good Emperors," Antoninus Pius in 143 A.D.

The Odeon itself has been much restored, but nonetheless gives a very good example of what the theatre experience would have been for the Romans and Greeks. I was very glad that cushions were provided. I would not relish several hours of sitting on a cold marble seat!!

Tomorrow most of our group goes off to the island of Hydra....see you later!