“Eden” in Ancient Olympia


Classical Music’s Powerful Voice, Joyce DiDonato, Amplifies Environmental Consciousness a few months before the Paris Olympics

Photo: WHF – Stephan Talneau

World-renowned opera singer, Joyce DiDonato, has brought the unique project, “Eden” to the historic grounds of Ancient Olympia for three days of filming on April 6, 7, and 8. The film is scheduled to be released worldwide in July at the occasion of the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“Eden” is more than just a concert; it is a transcendent experience that speaks to the urgent need for environmental stewardship. It has captivated audiences in concert halls worldwide, merging the timeless beauty of baroque & classical music with a poignant call to action for the protection of our planet’s precious ecosystems.

Staging this momentous event just a few days before the Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony in Ancient Olympia holds profound significance. As the birthplace of the Olympic Games, this emblematic site embodies the timeless values of friendship, excellence, and respect. In this historic location, DiDonato and her team join forces with the World Human Forum to pay homage to the spirit of Olympism while underscoring the importance of preserving our planet for future generations.

“These times are crying out for the very best of humanity to rise up and overcome the immense challenges facing us. Both Ancient Olympia and inspired, timeless music shine as the perfect blueprint of how to go forward, together. Here, in this sacred place, Eden calls us to unite in hope, lift our voices in common purpose, and deeply connect to the world around us more profoundly and with much greater care.”
Joyce DiDonato

DiDonato is accompanied by the exhilarating orchestra Il Pomo d’Oro, featuring musicians from all around the world, conveying a message of hope as well as responsibility. In the Ancient Olympia production, filmed by acclaimed director Olivier Simonnet, she has invited three children’s choirs, the Greek National Opera Children’s Choir, Choeurs ECLATS from France and the intercultural youth choir El Sistema Greece. In a historic moment, they unite to perform together the Olympic hymn trilingually sung in Greek, French and English. This symbolic gesture embodies the spirit of unity and collaboration that lies at the heart of the Olympic ideals.

The film “Eden in Ancient Olympia” is an initiative of the World Human Forum, produced by World Human Forum, ZDF/ARTE, Megaron the Athens Concert Hall and UNITEL.

It’s worth noting that Joyce DiDonato will return to Olympia on the 16th April to sing the Olympic Hymn in the Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony for Paris 2024.

For high resolution photos please click here.

We need you to make us feel an integral PART of a shared existence through the communal, universal, forgiving language of music, of dance, of poetry and Art – so that we never lose sight of the fact that we are all in this together and that we are all deserving of a life that overflows with immense possibility, improbable beauty and relentless truth.

Joyce DiDonato