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ROMAN THEATERS
Odeon of Herodes Atticus
WHERE : ATHENS , GREECE
Situated on the stony southwest slope of the Acropolis , this awe-inspiring openair theater is notable for once having a roof made from Lebanese cedar wood . This particular feature helped to enhance the acoustics in a venue custom-built for musical performances , vocal recitals and poetry competitions . Precious goldenhued Pentelic marble was chosen for the cascading seats of the semicircular cavea ( seating sections ), while a checkerboard marble stage floor further aided in channeling sound to the back of the auditorium ’ s 35 rows .
The Odeon was built by Roman senator and Athenian rhetorician Herodes Atticus in 161 CE — it ’ s one of several buildings created in tribute to his late wife , Appia Annia Regilla . The original theater was destroyed during the Sack of Athens , within a century of its opening night .
In the 1950s , the cavea and arched threestory facade were completely reconstructed ( the timber roof was never reinstalled , however ). Frank Sinatra , Luciano Pavarotti and Nana Mouskouri are among the stars who have since graced the stage . Every summer , it ’ s one of the venues of the Athens Epidaurus Festival — a three-month cultural event with music and theater that takes place across the Greek capital . image : AWL IMAGES
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