A special concert will take place on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at the Hero Atticus Conservatorywhich will attempt to connect the tradition of Byzantine music, the “Byzantine member”, with modern Greek creation, focusing on the work of Mikis Theodorakis. The title of the concert “In Byzantine Traces – Two Millennia of Greek Music, from Byzantium to the Musical Universe of Mikis Theodorakis” focuses on the Greek composer who draws inspiration and spiritual strength to the greatest extent from the Byzantine Musical Tradition.

Dimitris Bassis will lead us in the Byzantine footsteps with their voices, known for his Byzantine education, his long-term collaboration with Mikis Theodorakis and the unique Byzantine timbre of his voice. Next to o Vassilis Skoulas, emblematic performer and representative of the great Cretan Musical Tradition will bring on stage the Byzantine-style, musical idioms of Crete, among them roots, dances and obituaries.

The charming performer of the younger generation, Sofia Manou, participates in the concertwhich with its bright and impressive vocal range and its special timbre, takes us on a journey through Byzantine and Folk music paths.

The dialogue between Byzantine psalms and Greek traditional and contemporary music, centered on the work of Mikis Theodorakis, has been designed by Tatiana Papageorgioumusicologist, pianist and close collaborator of the composer, whom we will see on stage.

Musical companion in the planning of the show is Georgios Demelis, Director of the Orchestra “KANON” of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, Principal Chant of the Patron Saint of Athens and Min. Dr. of Musicology, who in recent years has edited a number of concerts presented all over Greece.
The role of Dimitris Bassis, who has been recorded as the greatest folk singer of his generation, is pivotal in the ambitious and varied work of Mikis Theodorakis, taught by the composer himself. Dimitris Bassis possesses interpretative skill and manages to move flexibly into different musical idioms, maintaining the power, grace and expressiveness of his voice.

Also, the interpretations of Vassilis Skoulas are awaited with particular interest, with the highlight being the performance of the Cretan Byzantine-preprehensive rizitiko “Ton Andreiomeno men to klais”, which was the favorite rizitiko of Mikis Theodorakis. This, as well as other roots, fueled his stylistically monumental works such as “Romiosyni don’t cry” from the Lianotragudas of Pikri Patrida in the poetry of Yannis Ritsou, which we will hear from Vassilis Skoulas in a particularly emotional moment performed by Vassilis Skoulas.

Mikis Theodorakis had previously heard recorded performances of songs by Vassilis Skoulas and had expressed himself with laudatory comments addressed to him in a handwritten note. The collaboration of Dimitris Bassis, Vassilis Skoulas and Sofias Manou, in joint interpretations of favorite songs, is also awaited with interest. It is a meeting of leading representatives of three musical worlds, meeting for the first time on the stage of Herodei. Sofia Manou, a performer who has served in the Byzantine organ, but also in popular music through collaborations with various composers, works consistently with the Canon Orchestra of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, having arranged traditional and popular songs with a modern musical approach.

Concert at Herodion

As for the evening’s repertoire, the listener will be taken through the early Byzantine Christian hymns, such as “Fos Hilaron”, from the oldest surviving Byzantine hymns, dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries, to the moving Byzantine hymns of Mikis Theodorakis, as they emerge in his great works “Axion Esti”, “Epiphania” and “Romiosyn”.

Intermediate station of the Byzantine influence in the musical tradition of Crete, such as Rizika chants, dances and obituaries, which retain a unique color and expressive power within the Greek musical tradition. A valuable element of the show and a rare opportunity to hear the art of the Choir of Psalters, under the direction of Musicologist Archimandrite Irenaios Nakos, who with his genuine Byzantine voice of exceptional range, will combine Hymnology with the art of the leading Mikis Theodorakis. The singers will take us to the Herodian stage, Classic Byzantine Hymns and will enter into a musical dialogue with the secular performers. The Cantus Angelicus Choir of I.N. Moschato Generals under the direction of Anastasia Hatzipavlou.

With the “KANON” Orchestra of the Holy Archdiocese of Athensleading musicians who have been close collaborators of Mikis Theodorakis for a number of years will collaborate.

Direction, theme conception and production execution: Elizabeth Papageorgiou.
The concert is held on the initiative of the Byzantine and Traditional Music Foundation of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens.

Part of the proceeds will be allocated to Foundation student scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Ticket prices: 12, 15, 20, 25, 35, 40, 50, 58 euros
Pre-sale at viva.gr