Did you know that the Athens Conservatoire was founded in 1871 to offer musical and theatrical education to the whole of society? That it functioned as the official educational institution for the performing arts and collaborated with orphanages, youth detention centres, and prisons? That the renowned Greek flautist Eurysthenes Ghisas, who became principal flautist of the Vienna Philharmonic under Gustav Mahler, began flute lessons at the Conservatoire as an orphanage resident? Watch the video on the Social Life of Athens and the role of the Conservatoire.

One of the greatest conductors of the 20th century studied orchestral conducting exclusively at the Athens Conservatoire. Dimitri Mitropoulos considered himself “the Conservatoire’s lucky child.” Watch the video on this great artist and his relationship with the Athens Conservatoire.

Gina Bachauer, the “queen of pianists,” studied and also taught at the Athens Conservatoire. After her death, she donated her property to the Conservatoire. Learn more about Gina Bachauer and her special connection to the Athens Conservatoire through this video.

Nikos Skalkottas, the beloved student of pioneering composer Arnold Schönberg, studied at the Athens Conservatoire, and the first conductor to conduct his emblematic Dances was his classmate at the Conservatoire, Dimitri Mitropoulos. Watch this video to learn more about Skalkottas and the Athens Conservatoire.

Did you know that the most famous opera singer of all time studied at the Athens Conservatoire? That she claimed to owe everything to her teacher at the Conservatoire, Elvira de Hidalgo? Watch the video on Maria Callas and the Athens Conservatoire.