athenaeum.com.gr

The Αthenaeum is a non profit association dedicated to preserve the memory and the glory of Maria Callas. the organisation was founded in 1974 by a group of inspired artists who wanted to contribute to the development and evolution of musical education and culture in Greece.

Staffed by distinguished personalities of the arts, the Athenaeum Conservatory is considered to be one of the main vehicles of culture in present day Greece. Its valuable contributions over the course of time, recognised by the most established music institutions in the world, has earned Athenaeum international acclaim.

Since its foundation the Athenaeum has proven its potential and aims:

• It has INSTITUTED, on annual basis, the International Music Competitions for Opera, Oratorio - Lied and Piano, by the name Grand Prix "Maria Callas" in honour of the great artist. Held under the auspices of UNESCO, this competition enjoys international recognition, attracting aspiring young artists from all over the world who come to Greece to compete for the highly prestigious award.

Since 1997 the competition is organised in collaboration with the Cultural Organisation of the City of Athens and is also under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture.

• It has INSTITUTED (since 1977) a commemorative concert in memory of Maria Callas which takes place under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture every year, on September 16th, anniversary day of her death, featuring well known artists.

• It has FOUNDED the Athenaeum Conservatory which has brought an invigorating new spirit to music studies in Greece.

• It INTRODUCES to the public outstanding young artists through Athenaeum's Concert Series which take place at “La Divina” concert hall, located on Athenaeum's premises.These series have been a loving tradition for most of the music fans.

• It has INITIATED Athenaeum's Symphonic Music Ensembles and organizes their public appearances.

♦ BAROQUE ENSEMBLE

♦ STRING QUARTET

♦ CHOIR

♦ THE CHILDREN' S CHOIR (AGE 6-10)

♦ ATHENAEUM PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

♦ SAXOPHONE QUARTET ENSEMBLE

♦ GUITAR QUARTET

Brief history

Athenaeum was housed until June 1998 in a neo - classical building constructed in 1925 by the architect A. Metaxas on the Amerikis st. The building,restored by Athenaeum' s own funds, housed the Athenaeum Conservatory, the "Maria Callas"Concert Hall (where except from the execution of the first stages of the Grand Prix competition, other activities like concerts, presentations, etc. took place), the Athenaeum Member Club and the students' mess hall.

On September 1998 moved at a listed property located at the archaeological area of Theseus,on Adrianou Street, number 3.

This building was probably built in 1897. It was built especially for Andreas Cambas, founder of the well - known spirits - making Company and Distillery, CAMBAS. The building was the home of the family. The living quarters occupied the mezzanine and first floors. On the ground floor was the wine cellar. As for the amazing space in the basement, there, were located the storehouse and the bottling facilities.

The Prime Minister at the time, Eleftherios Venizelos, had picked the grounds of the area to construct wooden shacks by the dozen around and opposite the mansion so that refugees coming from Asia Minor could be housed. Thus, Adrianou Street lost temporarily its peace and charm.

Up to that time, the house on Adrianou Street No 3 had its many moments of glory and glamour. It was considered one of the largest and most beautiful bourgeois houses of pre - war Athens.

Horse - carriages kept coming and going coachmen scraped their horses in the house - yard. Valets, chambermaids, nurses and cooks kept going up and down the massive wooden stairs.

Receptions, banquets and tea parties were taking place daily - at least this is the account given by neighbours who lived and witnessed all this, or by those who simply heard it being told by their parents.

Then there was decay. During the years 1942-1944 the building was commandeered by the Italians for soldier quarters. From 1945 on and for about two years the premises were used as a shelter for beggars and vagrants. In 1946 the house was foreclosed by the Bank of Greece and in 1952 was auctioned. Two brothers by the name of Bountros bought it and established the ZAMA zipper manufacturing company in the house.

When in 1986 the manufacture closed down, the building was completely dilapidated.

In 1992, Mr. Raptakis rented the building and he housed his very lovely restaurant Barolo on the ground floor.

The International Cultural Center ATHENAEUM rented the building in 1996 and in the summer of 1998 renovated it on its own funds.

The building houses the Conservatory, two Concert Halls of a capacity of 120 persons each, the club of the members of the Athenaeum and the mess hall for students. The two Halls are also ideal for small conferences, exhibitions, book presentations etc.