Panayoti Karousos' Olympic Flame

The Olympic Flame is second part of Panayoti Karousos’ Hellenic Tetralogy (the order being Prometheus – The Olympic Flame – Alexander the Great – The Light of Christianity). The work relates to the legend of Hercules (Herakles) and the founding of the Olympic Games, depicting the the greatness of human spirit and the foresight of the Hellenes. It is clearly indicated in the philosophical works of Greek antiquity that we are all descendants of the culture and civilization of that era.

The opera is entirely based on the Olympic Flame, and as it unfolds, it gives us the fundamental meaning behind this ancient Greek ritual. The flame during the Olympics is basically a simple commemoration / re-enactment of the flame as was stolen from the Gods by Prometheus and brought to the people - the flame of knowledge, from which civilizations were born. In Greek antiquity it was a religious ritual, with the purpose of bringing of the people closer to the Gods.

At the second act of the opera Heracles goes and liberates Prometheus at the Mount Caucasus in a majestic Wagnerian duo with a nod to Nietzschean ideas of the superhuman race.

Its third act is based on the tragedy “Trachiniae” by Sophocles. In the Trachiniae, the sufferings and the levity of Deianeira are described, which are atoned for by her death.

The Olympic Flame is a presentation of a major work of Greek mythology and philosophy, and in turn its contribution to world civilization.

The sound of this opera is glorious with the thick orchestration of a large symphony orchestra. At the end of the opera, Prometheus comes after the sacrament of reconciliation with Zeus and brings Hercules to Olympus.