Opus is a performance based on classical music. The word “classical” derives from the Latin “classicus” and the Greek. It describes a composition that is produced according to the principles and ideals of the ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Classical music often describes a “superior” form of musical composition (opus) characterized by a strict structure and an artistic complexity.

The thematic focus of this dance performance is to study this very structure and to present it visually on stage. The main intention is to investigate the central norms of instrumental music and how they apply in an utterly different form of art that is dance. The body becomes a visual version of the musical instrument, and the musical score becomes the physical score that dictates the choreography. Sometimes the body follows the rhythms and sometimes the melodic lines, sometimes it focuses on only one musical instrument and sometimes on two or more, in a way that offers a new code for deciphering the musical composition.

One of the major characteristics of classical music is that it consists of highly complex melodies, lines and rhythms that create a sense of narration and result in our sentimental reaction. This performance does not care to elucidate the sentimental aspect of the art music and its psychological impact on the audience. On the contrary, the performers endeavour to detach from the sentimental impact of a musical composition, to resist the tendency for interpretation of the music, and to consider the musical piece as sophisticated series of sounds that create a harmonic logic. It is an attempt to investigate our automatic response to hearing music.

Christos Papadopoulos graduated from the School for New Dance Development (SNDO) at the Amsterdam School of the Arts, The Netherlands in 2003 and from the Dramatic School of the National Theatre of Greece in 1999.

Christos is a founding member of the dance company Leon and the Wolf. His personal projects include: Opus (Aerowaves Twenty18, Porta Theatre 2016, Théâtre de la Ville-Danse Elargie 2016, Jonkoping, Sweden 2017), Elvedon (Aerowaves Twenty16, Porta Theatre, ARC For Dance Festival, Athens 2015), Counter Reset (Melkweg Amsterdam 2003). In collaboration with choreographer Vaso Giannakopoulou, he conceived and developed the performance Digono (Panorama Dance Festival, Athens, Alexandria Egypt 2005, Istanbul Turkey and Arnhem Holland 2006.

As a performer Christos has participated in dance projects by Dimitris Papaioannou, Alexandra Waierstall – Noema Dance Company, Kirstin Kuyl Anderson – WEGO, Robert Stain, Fotis Nikolaou’s company X-it, Natassa Zouka, Marousso Karaleka, Saskia van de Heur, Martin van de Drift, Mariella Nestora and Ria Higler. He has also worked extensively as a choreographer and movement director for theatrical productions. Christos was a member of the choreography team responsible for the opening ceremony of the European Games in Baku 2015 and opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Athens 2004.

Since 2013 he collaborates with Odeion Athinon Theatre Academy as an instructor of choreography, composition and improvisation. He has also taught workshops on technique, composition and improvisation in Athens, Chania, Thessaloniki, Copenhagen.