On Saturday, May 12 at 8:00 p.m., celebrated Greek vocalist Maria Farantouri returns to Carnegie Hall after more than two decades for a performance celebrating the music of legendary composer Mikis Theodorakis in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage.
"I am delighted and moved that my work will be heard again in this amazing music hall, interpreted by Maria Farantouri who truly is a genuine and authentic interpreter of my work," says Theodorakis.
Joined by a chamber ensemble and theArchdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Choir, Farantouri sings some of Theodorakis' best-loved songs. "My appearance at
Carnegie Hall, an emblematic music venue, is a significant moment in my musical journey. I feel great joy in bringing authentic Greek Song to the heart of New York City, with all the symbolism that it contains," says Farantouri.
Maria Farantouri was born in Athens and has been singing since she was a small child. While immersing herself in The Society of Friends of Greek Music, she polished her voice and met lifelong friend and collaborator Mikis Theodorakis at the age of only 16. Known for her full and rich contralto tone, along with Theodorakis's music, the sounds of peace influenced an entire generation. Songs such as The Ballad of Mauthausen, Laughing Boy, Romancero Gitano and Canto General became well known messages across Greece. The duo's important messages of love and harmony still inspire new generations through their melodic poetry.
Internationally renowned, Farantouri has performed with a myriad of influential musicians including world- famous guitarist
John Williams, saxophonist and jazzman Charles Lloyd, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by the great conductor Zubin Mehta, at the Herodes Atticus Odeon in 1991 and for the Unesco Millennium in Paris, as well as in Israel in 2014. The President of Greek Democracy, Mr. Constantine Stephanopoulos, recognizing Maria Farantouri's contribution to Greek culture and music, awarded her in 2004 with the Gold Cross of the Order of the Phoenix. In 2014, she was awarded with the "Premier Tenco" in San Remo, Italy, and in 2017, she was awarded with the International Award LiberPress in Gerona, Spain.
For more than four decades, Farantouri has shared her talent throughout the world. From humble beginnings to the grandeur of
Carnegie Hall, her voice is more than just a voice of a generation; her voice continually provides a hope that spans time and worldly borders. Combining both classical and modern arrangements, Farantouri has become the voice and along with Theodorakis spearheaded the creation of the "entehno" (with art) genre in Greek music.
The "entehno" genre was ushered in during the 1950s by two of Greece's foremost contemporary music composers, namely
Manos Hadjidakis and Mikis Theodorakis. It was named 'entexno' which in Greek literally means 'with art.' This was meant to reflect that this new genre had, in fact, turned to the works of major Greek poets for its lyrics. Mikis Theodorakis defined the 'entexno' genre as "a contemporary, complex musical composition that is amenable to being creatively understood by the masses." 'Entexno' drew on the Westernization of Greek folk music by composers such as Tsitsanis and Chiotis and tried to marry Greek poetry with Westernized music. Among the most influential examples of the genre are Mikis Theodorakis's 'Axion Esti' (based on the poetry collection by the same name by Greek Nobel-laureate poet Odysseas Elytis) and
Manos Hadjidakis's 'Megalos Erotikos' ('Great Love Songs,' featuring love poems by Sappho, Euripides, Solomos, Kavafis, Elytis, Gatsos, etc.) set to music.
Program Information
Saturday, May 12, at 8:00 p.m.
Stern Auditorium/ Perelman Stage
MARIA FARANTOURI
Maria Farantouri, Vocalist
Achilleas Wastor, Music Director and Piano
David Lynch, Saxophone and Flute
Heracles Zakkas, Bouzouki and Mandolin
Alexandros Botinis, Cello
Petros Klampanis, Bass
Christos Rafalides, Vibraphone
Engin Kaan Gunaydin, Percussion
with
Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Choir
Evey Simon, Director
Bank of America is the Proud Season Sponsor of
Carnegie Hall.
Ticket Information
Tickets, priced $34-$80, are available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, or can be charged to major credit cards by calling CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800 or by visiting the Carnegie Hall website, carnegiehall.org.
For
Carnegie Hall Corporation presentations taking place in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, a limited number of seats, priced at $10, will be available day-of-concert beginning at 11:00 a.m.Monday through Saturday and 12:00 noon on Sunday until one hour before the performance or until supply lasts. The exceptions are
Carnegie Hall Family Concerts and gala events. These $10 tickets are available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis at the
Carnegie Hall Box Office only. There is a two-ticket limit per customer.
In addition, for all
Carnegie Hall presentations in Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage a limited number of partial view (seats with obstructed or limited sight lines or restricted leg room) will be sold for 50% of the full price. For more information on this and other discount ticket programs, including those for students, Notables members, and Bank of America customers, visit
carnegiehall.org/discounts.
Photo courtesy of Carnegie Hall.
