Capodistrias: Monodrama of a Secret Life

The fierce platonic love between the first governor of the modern Greek State, Ioannis Capodistrias, and Roxandra Sturdza, the lady-in-waiting of the Empress of Russia, was one of the most romantic episodes of the Greek struggle for independence. 

The pair met at the Russian imperial court in 1809 and ever after, shared a deeply spiritual bond. However, their love was never consummated, due to Capodistrias' self-sacrificing commitment to the Greek cause and their class divide (he was a promising politician and diplomat; she, an educated noblewoman, offspring of a rich Greek Moldavian family). Instead, they channelled their repressed passion through music: Sturdza is reputed to have played the piano to Capodistrias during their intimate moments.

Fitting then that their emotive story has now been woven into musical theatre for the Greek National Opera, as part of the tribute to the 2021 bicentennial of the Greek Revolution.  Star Greek-Dutch composer Calliope Tsoupaki (Composer Laureate in the Netherlands) has taken the couple's extensive correspondence, along with Sturdza's memoirs, to render their moving tale. The result is a sensitively "staged" and compassionate immersion into the inner worlds of two people who lived separately - but are brought together more than two centuries later, thanks to the empathetic power of Tsoupaki's sensual music.

*Covid-19 restrictions are in place for all of the GNO’s live performances. Please consult the event listing for further information.