Plot

Knowing that he is about to be assassinated, Kapodistrias, the first Governor of Greece, is informed that the Maniates have rebelled against him and are demanding the release of Petrobeis Mavromichalis. A little later, he is visited by Makrygiannis, who had received a strange warning that the Governor was in danger and rushed to protect him. He advises him to free Petrobeis, to forgive the Hydra rebellion and to proceed with the reclamation of the land. Kapodistrias is adamant on the Hydra issue, but seems to be considering the other two proposals.

After the departure of Makrygiannis, the Governor confesses to Papagiorgis, a priest from Mani, who treats him with hostility and refuses to receive him unless Petrobeis is freed. Towards the end of the meeting, Kolokotronis comes and informs about the conspiracy and the involvement of Papagiorgis. He urges Kapodistrias to arrest the Mavromichalis, who have sworn to kill him, but the Governor disagrees and announces that he will send Russian ships to subdue Hydra.

The next visitor is Giorgakis Mavromichalis, one of the would-be assassins. He complains that the Governor has abandoned the grand vision of liberating Constantinople. He explains to him that the priority is to solve practical problems, but without convincing him.

A little later, the crowd gathers in the courtyard of the Government, protest against Kapodistrias and demands the release of a Greek constitution. Gikas strongly disagrees with Makrigiannis and injures him. The Governor appears, seeing Kostantis Mavromichalis, he tells him that he will release Petrobeis, as long as he asks for it, but he does not care. The verbal conflicts continue, while Makrygiannis tries to calm the spirits.

Kapodistrias announces the reclamation of the land, causing the displeasure of Kolokotronis, who abandons him. At that moment, news arrives of the arrival of Russian ships in Hydra. The crowd riots again and Papagiorgis incites the Mavromichalis to kill the Governor, who has already ordered the release of Petrobeis. Nevertheless, they mortally wound him, and he dies in the arms of Makrygiannis.

Writing history

It was written in Aegina in 1944. Kazantzakis was thinking about writing  this book since 1939, when he was designing Akritas. It seems that the work of G. Theotokas Antara in Anapli gave him the impetus for the writing. In fact, he asked Theotokas to send him the Memoirs of Makrygiannis. An extract was published in the newspaper Machi, 24.3.1946

Greek editions

·         N. Kazantzakis, O Kapodistrias, Athens: ed. Nik. Alikiotis 1946

·         N. Kazantzakis, Theater III. Tragedies with various themes. Kapodistrias, Christopher Columbus, Sodom and Gomorrah, Boudas, edited by E. X. Kasdaglis, Athens: Difros 1956

·         N. Kazantzakis, Theater III. Tragedies with various themes. Kapodistrias, Christopher Columbus, Sodom and Gomorrah, Boudas, Athens: ed. El. Kazantzakis 1971 - where also newer editions; the 1998 edition, edited by Patroklos Stavros, is a reprint of the 1956 edition

·         From the poetic work of N. Kazantzakis, preface by Manolis Karellis, introduction-anthology-notes by Stylianos Alexiou, illustration by N. Chatzikyriakos-Gikas, Heraklion Crete: Municipality of Heraklion 1977 - anthologized excerpts

Foreign editions & translations

·         Nikos Kazantzakis, Teatro. I. Odiseo, Juliano, Niceforo, Kapodistria, Spanish translation-introduction-notes M. Castillo Didier, foreword Fotios Malleros K., Santiago (Chile): Universidad de Chile, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Centro de Estudios Bizantinos y Neohelénicos 1978

Theatre performances & adaptations

·         National Theatre, 1946. Directed by Sokratis Karantinos, sets by Nikos Eggonopoulos. Actors: N. Paraskevas, Tz. Karousos, Aris Vlachopoulos, et al. The performance was attended by Nikos and Eleni Kazantzakis.

·         School performance in Nicosia, 1958

·         National Theatre, 1976-1977. Directed by Alexis Solomos, music by M. Theodorakis. Actors: N. Tzoias, Z. Tsapelis, L. Kallergis, Aleka Katseli, T. Moridis, D. Malavetas, G. Argyris et al.

·         Theatrical Organization of Cyprus, Municipal Theater of Nicosia, 1978. Actors: Despina Bempedeli, Nikos Siafkalis, etc.

·         National Theatre, 1982. Directed by Alexis Solomos, music by M. Theodorakis. A repeat of the 1976 show, with minor cast changes

TV

·         Kapodistrias, in the series "Hour of the Greek Stage", ERT. Directed by K. Krontiras (N. Kazantzakis Museum archive)

Music

·         M. Theodorakis, Kapodistrias, stage music for the 1976 performance