As part of a major partnership with Parnassus Arts (which previously brought Handel’s Alessandro and Rokoko, the January 2014 solo album from Max Emanuel Cencic), this is the first album from the Athens-based orchestra and their conductor.

Rejecting academic coolness, Armonia Atenea, under the baton of conductor George Petrou, injects dramatic energy and bright colour into Beethoven’s bold ballet score.

Beethoven’s ballet music was written in 1801 (between the First and Second symphonies) and the theme from the overture provided the subject for the finale of the Eroica Symphony and Eroica Variations

Based on the Greek fire-stealing myth, the story of The Creatures of Prometheus is conveyed with music full of drama and verve, but was the only ballet score written by Beethoven.

Armonia Atenea and George Petrou’s Decca recording of Handel’s Alessandro received numerous accolades, including the Stanley Sadie Handel Recording Prize, the ‘Complete Opera CD of the Year Award’ at the International Opera Awards, a nomination for the Opera of the Year by viewer of Mezzo TV, as well as being singled out by Classica, Diapason, Fono Forum and the BBC Music magazine.

“For all the star quality, the performance remains a supremely ensemble effort, singers and instrumentalists striking sparks off each other under the energised and energising musical direction of George Petrou.” BBC Music magazine (of Alessandro)