The special mixture of lyricism and pioneering aesthetics, inspired by popular tradition and conflict with the reactionary political forces of his time caused strong sympathetic vibrations in the representatives of Greek modernity of the 20th century.
A Greek musical portrait of Federico Garcίαa Lorca through separate works for voice and piano is presented by the mezzo-soprano Artemis Bogri and the pianist Giorgos Konstantinou at the Alternative Stage of the National Opera at the Cultural Center Stavros Niarchos Foundation on the 20th on Friday 10: 20 The concert Federico Garcίαa Lorca: A Greek musical portrait is presented in the context of the three-year cycle of Mikis Theodorakis.
The program of the concert includes the cycle of songs by Mikis Theodorakis Romancero gitano, based on seven poetic performances by Odysseas Elytis, in an interpretation of Theodorakid kaleidoscopic musical fragments and lorike dreamy impressions. You will also hear the Eight songs in Lorca poetry by George Kouroupos, written on the special translations of the poet Andreas Angelakis, as well as traditional Spanish melodies in music edited by the leading poet and playwright himself.
Federico Garcίαa Lorca’s relationship with music was close and fiery. It even preceded his turn to writing, as the teenage poet passionately attended music lessons with composer Antonio Segoura from the age of eleven. In fact, in memory of his beloved teacher, Garcίαa Lorca dedicated his first book, Impressions and Landscapes, which he published at the age of twenty. Later, his friendship with the composer Manuel de Fagia strengthened his interest in the Spanish musical tradition, especially that of his native Andalusia. This interest led, among other things, to a series of recordings of songs selected and harmonized by Garcίαa Lorca, with the incarnation singer Lπεpez Hulveth (“Argentinita”) and accompanying him on the piano in 1931 – transcripts published in print only in the 60s, many years after the poet’s death.
The special mixture of lyricism and pioneering aesthetics, inspired by popular tradition and conflict with the reactionary political forces of his time caused strong sympathetic vibrations in the representatives of Greek modernity of the 20th century. Starting with the music of twenty-three-year-old Manos Hadjidakis for the performance of The Damned Marriage by the Karolos Koun Art Theater in 1948, Garcίαa Lorca’s poetry has since been the basis for a multitude of multidisciplinary approaches by Greek composers, in translation or in original, in context concert or record label.
The song cycle of Mikis Theodorakis Romancero gitano, based on seven poetic performances by Odysseas Elytis, was written for Arleta in early 1967, just before the beginning of the dictatorship, due to the arrival of which the plan was derailed. Finally, the cycle was first recorded in 1970 in Paris with Maria Farantouri. The much later writing of the work for voice and piano was completed by the composer in 1998, while the Eight songs in Lorca poetry by George Kouroupos, written on the special translations of the poet Andreas Angelakis, date from the first years after the composer’s return to Greece. from Paris and were recorded in 1988 with Spyros Sakkas.
Concert
Mikis Theodorakis Circle
Federico Garcίαa Lorca: A Greek musical portrait
Friday 10 June 2022 Start time: 20.30 Alternative Stage of the National Opera Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC). Free entrance with entrance tickets, which will be distributed from Tuesday 7 June, at 12.00, exclusively through ticket services.
Artemis Bogri, mezzo-soprano George Constantinou, piano
Alternative Tent Founding Donor
The event “FERTHERIKO GARTIA LORKA: A GREEK MUSIC PORTER” belongs to the section of the planning of the Alternative Scene of the ELS under the title “SUNDAY MORNING” which is part of the “Festival Events of Alternative Scene” (MIS 5005) 06 of the OP “ATTICA”) and is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and national resources.
