Musicians

23.6.2012 Opera, Arias & Greek Songs

Theodora Baka started her studies at the Municipal Conservatoire of Larissa, after which she graduated in opera and chamber music at the Hanover Academy of Music and Theatre. She has performed in chamber music concerts and song recitals as a soloist or with various Ensembles in Germany, Greece, Portugal, and Italy. Her repertoire ranges from Renaissance and Baroque to contemporary music, including Greek music. She has recorded several CDs, of both operas and traditional Greek songs.

Maria Papapetropoulou studied piano at the “Athenaion” Conservatory. After being awarded an Onassis Foundation Scholarship, she studied vocal accompaniment at the University o Karlsruhe. She has appeared in a large number of recitals and chamber music concerts in Greece, France, Germany, Italy and Turkey. She has worked as a soloist with the Athens National Orchestra, The Orchestra of Colours, The Philarmonic Orchestra of Riazan in Russia and the Youth Orchestra of Munster in Germany. She teaches accompaniment and chamber music at the Municipal Conservatory of Kalamata.

30.6.2012 Songs from Musicals and Films

Eleni Lydia Stamellou

At the age of five, she started ballet lessons at the school of Yannis Metzis and piano lessons with Lenia Erodiadou and Aliki Vatikioti at the Athens Conservatory. She continued her ballet lessons at the school of Elwa Molin in Tampere, Finnland. She got her first singing lessons from the Bass Fragiskos Voutsinos. She continued her classical vocal studies in Germany with Prof. Markus Goritzki at the Music Academy of Freiburg, where she took her Diploma and during that period she also studied with the “Erasmus” scholarship with Prof. Ralf Döring at the University of Music in Vienna. With the scholarship of the “Onassis Public Benefit Foundation” she continued her studies at the Music Conservatory of Bologna ” G.B.Martini” in Italy with Stella Parenti and at the Music Conservatory of Napoli ” San Pietro a Majella” in Italy with conductor Antonio Florio, where she studied Baroque Singing. Currently, she studies with the soprano Maria Candida.

7.7.2012

Christos Papageorgiou

Christos Papageorgiou is a graduate of the Athens State Conservatory, and as a recipient of the Onassis Foundation Scholarship, also graduated from the Royal Academy of Music and the University of London, obtaining his Master’s degree. He has appeared worldwide as a solo pianist and composer and performed with distinguished conductors (M. Plasson, P. Entremont) and famous orchestras (Philarmonia, Orchestre Nationale du Capitole de Toulouse etc..), in musical venues such as the Berlin Philharmonie, Barbican Center, Carnegie Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Rudolfinum Dvorak Hall, Kensington Palace e.t.c. and has recorded for international radio and T.V. programs (BBC, Berlin Radio 3, Swiss Radio, RAI, ARD e.t.c.). Christos Papageorgiou is a multiple international prizewinner in piano and composition competitions (USA, Japan, Switzerland, Italy, England e.t.c.) and has been honored by the National Union of Music and Theatre Critics. His music is performed by great musicians around the world (Oscar Gighlia, New York Phil. Chamber Soloists etc..). For many years he has been teaching music at the Ionian University In Corfu, at the State Dance School, in seminals and masterclasses across the world and produces his own weekly broadcast on Satelite National TV Channel 1 and at the National Radio 3.

Theodore Kerkezos

The saxophone soloist and professor Theodore Kerkezos was twice nominated for the 50th Grammy Annual Awards 2007 in New York in the categories #102: “Best Instrumental Soloist Performance with Orchestra” and #98: Best Classical Album”. He has performed and recorded the complete repertoire for saxophone with orchestras including the London Symphony, London Philharmonic, the Philharmonia (of London), St. Petersburg Philharmonic, “Tchaikovsky” Symphony. of Moscow Radio, Moscow Soloists, Moscow New Opera Orch., Zurich Symphony, Berliner Symphony, Nuremberg Symphony, Sudwestfalische Philharmonie, Thuringen Philharmonie Gotha, Janacek Philharmonic, Bilbao Symphony, Athens and Thessaloniki State Symphonies Orchestras, Bucharest Philharmonic, Bucharest Radio Symphony, Sofia Radio, Slovak Radio, Slovak Philharmonic, Armenian Philharmonic. He has worked with Yuri Bashmet, Vladimir Fedoseyev, and Yuri Simonov. Theodore Kerkezos graduated from Babis Farantatos’ class at the Athens Conservatoire and continued in Bordeaux with Jean-Marie Londeix and in Paris with Daniel Deffayet. He has given concerts at the: Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Wigmore Hall -London, Carnegie Hall-New York, “Shostakovich Hall”- St. Petersburg, “Tchaikovsky Hall” Moscow State Conservatory, Tonhalle (Zurich), Opera of Rome, Athens Megaron Concert Hall, the ancient Theatre of Herod Atticus (under the Athens Parthenon), and the Beijing Concert Hall. Works have been dedicated to him by Iannis Xenakis and Mikis Theodorakis. He is a professor at the Athens Conservatoire and has given master classes at Conservatories in Moscow, Boston, New England, at Princeton and Boston Universities (USA), the Agricultural Univ. (Beijing); also at the Chopin (Warsaw), Gnesin (Moscow) and Kyiv Academies. He is the Artistic Director of the Saxophone Orchestra of the Piraeus Prefecture.

14.7.2012 Cabaret: with Songs from the Sixties

Barbara Spitz

Just in case you really want to know… I was born and raised in Putney, London, my parents were both Viennese refugees. Went to Putney High School from age 5-18, and graduated. 3 years Alsager College of Education in drama and social and community studies. I worked as a school teacher but realised after four scary years teaching in London´s more problematic schools, that I was destined for a different career. I cut my teeth in London´s finest pub/punk rock bands in the mid-late1970s, including The Elgin Marbles, Framed, and Dana Gillespie and toured with the now legendary „Sadista Sisters“ in 1977, culminating in a 4-week residency at the Quartier Latin Club, Berlin. As an internationally ignored rock star, I worked at various jobs on the way; a follow spot operator, stage manager, photographer assistant, night porter, dishwasher, cook, babysitter, breathy telephone hotline voice… whatever. In 1983 I auditioned for and got the role of „Columbia“ in „The Rocky Horror Show“ at Hans Gratzers Schauspielhaus in Wien. Ever since I have been working and living in Vienna as an actress, singer/performer in the theatre, musicals, musical theatre, writing my own solo shows, voice-overs, translating and singing at concerts and galas.

21.7.2012 Classical: Recital Violin & Piano

Danae Papamattheou-Matschke

Born in Athens in 1988, she had her first violin lessons in Greece. At the age of 13, she entered, as a pupil of exceptional talent, the Special Music School Belvedere in Weimar (Germany), enrolled in the class of Professor Jost Witter. She follows this with studies under Professor Igor Ozim at the University Mozarteum of Salzburg, where in 2011 she obtained the Degree of Bachelor of Arts, with distinction. She is currently a post-graduate student in the class of Professor Igor Ozim in the same university, following a scholarship from the “Alexandros S. Onassis Foundation”.

Robin Green

Robin Green enjoys an active career as a chamber musician, piano accompanist, conductor and ensemble pianist. A former recipient of the Leverhulme Chamber music fellowship at the Royal College of Music, Robin is now a staff pianist at the RCM for the conducting program. He graduated from the school in 2008, having studied piano with Yonty Solomon and Andrew Ball. He also studied conducting with Neil Thomson and Peter Stark. Supporting his studies, Robin has participated in masterclasses with Vladimir Ashkenazy, Meneham Pressler, Ivry Gitlis, Ferenc Rados, Dénes Várjon, Imre Rohmann and Rainer Schmidt.

28.7.2012 Classical: Recital Piano Solo

Aris Alexander Blettenberg was born in Mülheim an der Ruhr in 1994. He received his first piano lessons at the age of seven as a pupil of Eva-Maria Bleicher at the Mülheim Municipal Music School. After early attempts at composition and steady musical progress, he transferred to the Niederrheinische Musik- und Kunstschule Duisburg and became a pupil of M. Mus. Lucie Samson (piano) and Johannes Schwarz (composition, harmony, aural training). From the age of nine, he also took mandolin lessons with Petra Tübben at the Mülheim Music School.

04.8.2012 Greek/poetic translation

Gabriele Kastner, a German actress, sings Greek ballads, rebetika and famous film songs. We are listening to popular Greek composers from Hatzidakis, Kougioumtsis, Tsistsanis, Theodorakis and others also a Greek ballad from Lorena McKennit. Gabriele Kastner is singing the songs in Greek, and for a better understanding, she is reading the poems in English.

11.8.2012 Martina Schaeffer (Austria) – Classical Guitar

Martina Schaeffer is recognized today as one of Austria’s most interesting guitarists. Her spirited, original interpretations have inspired lovers of both classical and contemporary guitar music. Schaeffer’s outstanding talent and ability to grasp and convey emotions have surfaced from the very beginning of her musical career. Born in Austria in 1976, Schaeffer studied classical guitar at the Joseph Haydn Conservatory in her hometown of Eisenstadt, at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna and at the University of Music in Lübeck, Germany. As a soloist as well as a member of the German band Lübecker Gitarrentrio, the young artist soon drew audiences’ attention with her performances in live concerts, radio and TV shows and several CD and DVD productions.   www.konzertgitarre.at

Martina plays an instrument built by Pavlos Gypas, a famous Greek guitar builder, and compositions from the Baroque to the Spanish Romantic era (romanticism).

17.8.2012 Klaudia Delmer – Mezzo Soprano, Mimis Plessas – Piano

25.8.2012 Mani String Quartet with Solo Flute & Solo Clarinet

Joanna Gaitani is born in Athens, in 1986. She started at the age of 6 with the flute, and in 1998 changed to violin. Since 2000 began to perform as soloist in Greece with the Greek Youth Radio and Television Orchestra and the Thessaloniki State Orchestra, the Patras Soloists Orchestra, and in many recitals. Participated in Masterclasses with S. Kravtchenko, P. Sheppard, D. Zsigmondy, T. Gabora, N.Chumachenko. In 2004 she received her Diploma from the Conservatory in Athens with excellence and received the first prize. In her competition experience she received prizes at the Eurovision Competition for Young Soloists, at the Arts Violin Competition 2003 and 2009 in Thessaloniki(2nd prize), and as Top prize winner at the Violinesporlapaz International Competition 2006 in Jaen, Spain. Since 2003 she has lived in Germany and is a scholarship holder from the Villa Musica Foundation. Played in 2004 on a V. Panormo violin and from 2005 on a P. Guarneri, given to her from the same foundation. She performed as soloist on tour in Germany with the Klassische Philharmonie Bonn, under Heibert Beissel, with the Greek Radio Orchestra and most recently with the National Orchestra of Athens at Megaron concert hall in Athens, the Athens Symphony Orchestra at Parnassos Concerthall. and the Thessaloniki State Orchestra. Chamber music experience performing together with the Professors: Jose Gallardo, Christian Altenburger, Oliver Triendl, Christof Schiller, Esther Haffner, Nicolas Chumachenko, Rainer Kussmaul, Wenn-sin Yang, etc. Currently studying at the Cologne Music School with Zakhar Bron.

Ursula Korstchak was born in Graz and studied in Vienna, then at the Mozarteum in Salzburg with Thomas Riebl and baroque violin at the Schola Cantorum with Chiara Banchini. Since 1992 she has played in Harnoncourt’s Concentus Musicus Wien. She also participates in Clemencic Consort, the Balthasar Neumann Ensemble, but also in the ensemble for new music series. Numerous records document the work of the artist. Most recently, she recorded with Hiro Kurosaki sonatas by Biber and Fux.

Merkourio Karalis was born at 04. May 1983 in Munich (D). He studied at the National Conservatorium Athens with a Scholarship from the «Manolis Kalomoiris» association by Prof. Ilias Demirtzoglou. He graduated with his «Diploma du professor» with Excellent and 1st Prize. In 2005 he won the national competition for clarinet X.O.N in Athens and he received the gold medal from the UNESKO association. Live recordings in Greek radio and television already at the age of 16 years old established Merkourio as one of the most talented clarinet players of his generation. From 2005 until 2008 he studied at the University of Arts Zürich in Switzerland by Prof. Fabio Di Casola the «Master of Performance Orchestra». After passing the exams on his studies, he had the opportunity to do a practicum with the Zürich Opernhaus and the orchestra Musikkollegium Winterthur. In 2007 he won the «Saverio Mercadante» international clarinet competition in Bari (Italia). Since 2008 he has been cooperating with the Opera of Athens as a bass-clinet player. From 2008 until 2010 he studied the of Arts Zürich with Prof. Fabio Di Casola. From 2005 until 2010 Merkourio Karalis was a national scholar of the Athens Association. During this period the Greek clarinet player gave concerts as a soloist and music partner at the Artsfactory in Greece, Switzerland and Europe. Since December 2010 he has been the principal diploma soloist at the University clarinetist at the National Symphony Radio Orchestra in Athens.

Nikolas Kavakos was born in Athens in 1969 and began cello at the age of seven with Vyron Fidetzis and Dana Hantzigeorgiou. He continued his studies in Germany with J.F.Sellheim and Xenia Jankovic supported by the “Onassis Foundation scholarship”. He attended also lessons with Phillip Muller, and Hatto Bayerle (Alban Berg quartet) and recently he received a Master’s Degree in chamber music with Vladimir Mendelssohn. Since then Kavakos Nikolas has been active as a soloist and also in chamber music around Europe, the United States and Latin America, collaborating with artists such as Igor Oistrach, Dimitris Sgouros, Alexandra Papastefanou Vladimir Mendelssohn and others. He recorded for Greek and German radio and television and recently a CD with works of Christos Mentis (in memoriam). He is a founding member of the “Artis piano trio” with appearances in various festivals and concert halls (Athens-Epidaurus festival, Nafplion festival, Carnegie Hall, and the National Gallery). He has given lessons in Spain and Switzerland (Siguensa festival, Initiative Music Wochen) and teaches regularly in Athens at the “Orpheus Conservatory”. Nikolas Kavakos is since 2001 a solo cellist of the National Opera of Greece. Next appearances, Athens megaron, Istanbul (borusan music house), Paris (rivegauchemusique).

29.9.2012 DIMINUITA Swing Trio

DIMINUITA first appeared under this name in November 2007, after many years of love and extensive research in this rare, for Greece, style of music. As a swing band, they have held many shows in various well-known venues around Athens. Namely: Kyttaro, Parafono Jazz Club, Tsai sti Sahara, Baraki tou Vasili, Bacaro Jazz Club, Dizzy Miles Jazz Club,   Gagarin 205 etc. They also performed at the 2008 Volos Music Festival and in 2009 they performed in Preveza, Parga, Larisa and Technopolis in Athens. In 2010 they participated in the 17th International Guitar Festival, in Herloupolis Syros. The band also organized the 1st Athens Gypsy Jazz Festival in May 2010, dedicated to 100 years of Django’s Reinhardt birth, with total success. In March and October 2010, the group performed outside of Greece, on a small tour to Belgium (Music Village, Archiduc, Art Base, Bonnefooi and Magic Mirrors in Brussels, Hot Club Reserva in Gand, Jacques Pelzer Jazz Club in Liege, Rosario in Bever) and Netherlands (Wereldmuseum in Rotterdam, De Badcuyp in Amsterdam). Until November 2008, the band cooperated occasionally with the Romanian-born violinist Damian Dudu. He has lived in Greece for many years and has played with some of Greece’s greatest names in the music industry; He has taken part in a great number of recordings as a session musician utilizing the color and the traditional style of his country’s music.  He is a musician who perfectly combines virtuosity and deep emotion with great ease. From August 2009 Kostas Arsenis has joined the band as their double bass player. The band’s first official CD album is expected in March-April 2011, full of original compositions! The members: Giorgos Papadogiannis on lead guitar, Effie Saranti on rhythm guitar, and Kostas Arsenis on double bass. www.diminuita.com

29.8.2012 & 01.9.2012 Gregor Huebner

1994-1996
Manhattan School of Music, Master of Music in Jazz / Performance / Composition. Studied with Harold Danko, John Hicks, Richie Beirach and Ludmilla Uhlela (composition)

1990-1994
Hochschule für Music, Stuttgart.
Studied classical violin with Prof. Voss (Melos Quartet) and Jazz piano with Paul Schwarz. Graduated in Performance and Education.

1988-1990
School of Music, Vienna
Studied classical violin with Prof. Zwiauer, first chair of the Vienna Symphonics.

01.9.2012 Olivia Trummer

Olivia Trummer (* 1985 in Stuttgart) is a German pianist, vocalist and composer. She is known for her unusual musical versatility, performing a repertoire out of original compositions and songs, classical piano music, improvisation and jazz. Therefore, she has been invited to perform at top-class concert halls like the Carnegie Hall (NYC), Schloss Elmau (Germany) or at the “Schlossfestspiele” festival in Ludwigsburg (Germany). In the press she is celebrated as a sensational musical talent: “The future belongs to Olivia Trummer” (Jazzpodium, 2010), “Doubtlessly, Olivia Trummer has the potential to become a star” (Mannheimer Morgen, 2010), “Young, gifted & deutsch” (jazzthing 2006).

08.9.2012 Moraites

Georgia Marini:  Violin, Stavros Panagiotopoulos: Clarinet, Stavros Roussis: Flute, Theodossis Diskos: Percussion

Moraites started off in 1992 in Kalamata. Since then, they have participated in many events about traditional Greek music, inside and outside the city of Kalamata. They accompany dance groups, they play traditional Greek music in theatre plays, they participate in concerts and of course, they play in weddings and festivals that want to preserve a traditional tone. In the winter of 2009-2010, two of the group’s musicians, Georgia Marini (violin) and Stavros Panagiotopoulos (clarinet) participated in the recording of a children’s theatre play “Romeo and Juliette, like the Dog with the Cat” directed by Anneta Papathanasiou based on the music of Maria-Christina Krithara. In 2010 they started transcribing traditional songs of the areas Ksiromero and Zagori. These transcriptions are based on performances of great musicians such as Vasilis Soukas and Grigoris Kapsalis. The ultimate goal is the presentation of these songs in musical and educational events.  www.moraites.gr

25.6.2011 Maria Garzon (Spain) – Piano

The Spanish concert pianist Maria Garzon studied in Madrid, Salzburg, Cologne and London, and lives now in Mani in the village of Riglia. She is performing as a soloist all over the world and has recorded for TVE, BBC, WDR, NDR and RAI amongst others, and various CDs. Maria has discovered the works of the Czech 18th-century composer J.L. Dussek and has recorded CDs with are available now.

In 2009 she co-founded the Mani-Sonnenlink Festival as it was always her wish to create a venue for classical music in the Mani.

Works of Italian, Spanish and Greek song composers (writers), classic to contemporary.

25.6.2011 Neil Latchmann (Trinidad) – Tenor

09.7.2011 Klaudia Delmer – Mezzo Soprano, Mimis Plessas – Piano

16.7.2011 Christos Papageorgiou (Athens) – Piano

Compositions by Franz Liszt, Mozart and C. Papageorgiou.

Christos Papageorgiou is a graduate of the Athens State Conservatory, and as a recipient of the Onassis Foundation Scholarship, also graduated from the Royal Academy of Music and the University of London, obtaining his Master’s degree.

He has appeared worldwide as a solo pianist and composer and performed with distinguished conductors (M. Plasson, P. Entremont) and famous orchestras (Philarmonia, Orchestre Nationale du Capitole de Toulouse etc..), in musical venues such as the Berlin Philharmonie, Barbican Center, Carnegie Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Rudolfinum Dvorak Hall, Kensington Palace e.t.c. and has recorded for international radio and T.V. programs (BBC, Berlin Radio 3, Swiss Radio, RAI, ARD e.t.c.).

Christos Papageorgiou is a multiple international prizewinner in piano and composition competitions (USA, Japan, Switzerland, Italy, England e.t.c.) and has been honored by the National Union of Music and Theatre Critics. His music is performed by great musicians around the world (Oscar Gighlia, New York Phil. Chamber Soloists etc..).

For many years he has been teaching music at the Ionian University In Corfu, at the State Dance School, in seminars and masterclasses across the world and produces his own weekly broadcast on Satelite National TV Channel 1 and at the National Radio 3.

23.7.2011 DIMINUITA Swing Trio

DIMINUITA first appeared under this name in November 2007, after many years of love and extensive research in this rare, for Greece, style of music. As a swing band, they have held many shows in various well-known venues around Athens. Namely: Kyttaro, Parafono Jazz Club, Tsai sti Sahara, Baraki tou Vasili, Bacaro Jazz Club, Dizzy Miles Jazz Club,   Gagarin 205 etc. They also performed at the 2008 Volos Music Festival and in 2009 they performed in Preveza, Parga, Larisa and Technopolis in Athens. In 2010 they participated in the 17th International Guitar Festival, in Herloupolis Syros. The band also organized the 1st Athens Gypsy Jazz Festival in May 2010, dedicated to 100 years of Django’s Reinhardt birth, with total success. In March and October 2010, the group performed outside of Greece, on a small tour to Belgium (Music Village, Archiduc, Art Base, Bonnefooi and Magic Mirrors in Brussels, Hot Club Reserva in Gand, Jacques Pelzer Jazz Club in Liege, Rosario in Bever) and Netherlands (Wereldmuseum in Rotterdam, De Badcuyp in Amsterdam). Until November 2008, the band cooperated occasionally with the Romanian-born violinist Damian Dudu. He has lived in Greece for many years and has played with some of Greece’s greatest names in the music industry; He has taken part in a great number of recordings as a session musician utilizing the color and the traditional style of his country’s music.  He is a musician who perfectly combines virtuosity and deep emotion with great ease. From August 2009 Kostas Arsenis has joined the band as their double bass player. The band’s first official CD album is expected in March-April 2011, full of original compositions!

The members: Giorgos Papadogiannis on lead guitar, Effie Saranti on rhythm guitar, and Kostas Arsenis on double bass.

www.diminuita.com

30.7.2011  and  06.8.2011 Jaques Bernier (Paris) – Piano

Jaques Bernier began his musical studies with the national academy of Toulouse. He graduated from the international training course of Salzburg and later obtained a Licence in concert at the teacher training school of music of Paris.

Since 1992, he has been a full-time professor.

Jacques Bernier performs regularly in Paris (Gaveau Hall, Cortot Hall) and all over France and abroad in various formations. Pianist and educationalist, Jacques Bernier attempts to defend all the styles of music. To teach, according to him, obliges a musician to have a personal introspection which can enable him to evolve as a concert performer. He devotes most of its activity to chamber music.

06.8.2011 Joanna Gaitani (Koroni/Cologne) – Violin

Joanna Gaitani was born in Athens, in 1986.

She started at the age of 6 with the flute, and in 1998 changed to violin. Since 2000 began to perform as a soloist in Greece with the Greek Youth Radio and Television Orchestra the Thessaloniki State Orchestra, the Patras Soloists Orchestra, and in many recitals. Participated in Masterclasses with S. Kravtchenko, P. Sheppard, D. Zsigmondy, T.Gabora, N.Chumachenko. In 2004 she received her Diploma from the Conservatory in Athens with excellence and received the first prize. In her competition experience, she received prizes at the Eurovision Competition for Young Soloists, at the Arts Violin Competition 2003 and 2009 in Thessaloniki(2nd prize), and as Top prize winner at the Violinesporlapaz International Competition 2006 in Jaen, Spain. Since 2003 she has lived in Germany and is a scholarship holder from the Villa Musica Foundation. Played in 2004 on a V. Panormo violin and from 2005 on a P. Guarneri, given to her from the same foundation. She performed as a soloist on tour in Germany with the Klassische Philharmonie Bonn, under Heibert Beissel, with the Greek Radio Orchestra and most recently with the National Orchestra of Athens at Megaron concert hall in Athens, the Athens Symphony Orchestra at Parnassos Concerthall. and the Thessaloniki State Orchestra. Chamber music experience performing together with the Professors: Jose Gallardo, Christian Altenburger, Oliver Triendl, Christof Schiller, Esther Haffner, Nicolas Chumachenko, Rainer Kussmaul, Wenn-sin Yang, etc. Currently studying at the Cologne Music School with Zakhar Bron.

13.8.2011 Mercourios Karalis – Nikolas Kavakos

Merkourio Karalis was born at 04. May 1983 in Munich (D). He studied at the National Conservatorium Athens with a Scholarship from the «Manolis Kalomoiris» association by Prof. Ilias Demirtzoglou. He graduated with his «Diploma du professor» with Excellent and 1st prize. In 2005 he won the national competition for clarinet X.O.N in Athens and he received the gold medal from the UNESKO association. Live recordings in Greek radio and television already at the age of 16 years old established Merkourio as one of the most talented clarinet players of his generation. From 2005 until 2008 he studied at the University of Arts Zürich in Switzerland by Prof. Fabio Di Casola the «Master of Performance Orchestra». After passing the exams on his studies, he had the opportunity to do a practicum with the Zürich Opernhaus and the orchestra Musikkollegium Winterthur. In 2007 he won the «Saverio Mercadante» international clarinet competition in Bari (Italia). Since 2008 he has been cooperating with the Opera of Athens as a bass-clinet player. From 2008 until 2010 he studied the of Arts Zürich with Prof. Fabio Di Casola. From 2005 until 2010 Merkourio Karalis was a national scholar of the Athens Association. During this period the Greek clarinet player gives concerts as a soloist and music partner at Artsfactory in Greece, Switzerland and Europe. Since December 2010 he has been the principal diploma soloist at the University clarinetist at the National Symphony Radio Orchestra in Athens.

Nikolas Kavakos was born in Athens in 1969 and began cello at the age of seven with Vyron Fidetzis and Dana Hantzigeorgiou. He continued his studies in Germany with J.F.Sellheim and Xenia Jankovic supported by the “Onassis Foundation scholarship”. He attended also lessons with Phillip Muller, and Hatto Bayerle (Alban Berg quartet) and recently he received a Master’s Degree in chamber music with Vladimir Mendelssohn. Since then Kavakos Nikolas has been active as a soloist and also in chamber music around Europe, the United States and Latin America, collaborating with artists such as Igor Oistrach, Dimitris Sgouros, Alexandra Papastefanou Vladimir Mendelssohn and others. He recorded for Greek and German radio and television and recently a CD with works of Christos Mentis (in memoriam). He is a founding member of the “Artis piano trio” with appearances in various festivals and concert halls (Athens-Epidaurus festival, Nafplion festival, Carnegie Hall, and the National Gallery). He has given lessons in Spain and Switzerland (Siguensa festival, Initiative Music Wochen) and teaches regularly in Athens at the “Orpheus Conservatory”. Nikolas Kavakos is since 2001 a solo cellist of the National Opera of Greece. Next appearances, Athens megaron, Istanbul (borusan music house), Paris (rivegauchemusique).

23.8.2011 Erato Duo

The music ensemble „ERATO“ comprises Theodora Baka (voice) and Maria Papapetropoulou (piano). Theodora Baka started her studies at the Municipal Conservatoire of Larissa, after which she graduated in opera and chamber music at the Hanover Academy of Music and Theatre. She has performed in chamber music concerts and song recitals as a soloist or with various Ensembles in Germany, Greece, Portugal, and Italy. Her repertoire ranges from Renaissance and Baroque to contemporary music, including Greek music. She has recorded several CDs, of both operas and traditional Greek songs.

Maria Papapetropoulou studied piano at the “Athenaion” Conservatory. After being awarded an Onassis Foundation Scholarship, she studied vocal accompaniment at the University o Karlsruhe. She has appeared in a large number of recitals and chamber music concerts in Greece, France, Germany, Italy and Turkey. She has worked as a soloist with the Athens National Orchestra, The Orchestra of Colours, The Philarmonic Orchestra of Riazan in Russia and the Youth Orchestra of Munster in Germany. She teaches accompaniment and chamber music at the Municipal Conservatory of Kalamata.

27.8.2011 Sphaira Trio

Ursula Kortschak violin (Vienna), Effi Minakoulis lute and voice (Athens), Tobias Schlierf  Violoncello and Voice(Hamburg).

Ursula Korstchak was born in Graz and studied in Vienna, then at the Mozarteum in Salzburg with Thomas Riebl and baroque violin at the Schola Cantorum with Chiara Banchini. Since 1992 she has played in Harnoncourt’s Concentus Musicus Wien. She also participates in Clemencic Consort, the Balthasar Neumann Ensemble, but also in the ensemble for new music series. Numerous records document the work of the artist. Most recently, she recorded with Hiro Kurosaki sonatas by Biber and Fux.

Tobias Schlierf Cello and vocal studies in Munich. He first worked as a countertenor in a variety of vocal ensembles (Chamber Choir Stuttgart, Singer Pur, etc.) and soloist in oratorio and opera. In 1996 he chose the bass part. 1997-2000: he performed as a solo singer at the Munich Opera Liebfrauendom and other various venues. In 2000 he started composing as well. 2002/03 Member of the Choir of the Radio-Television’s Society of Greece and a regular guest at Greek official ceremonies. He also performs as a freelance singer in all the German radio guest choirs, the Balthasar-Neumann-Chor, with the Stuttgart New Vocal Soloists, Collegium Vocale Gent and others. http://www.myspace.com/tobiasschlierf

Effi Minakoulis was born in Athens. She studied French Literature, classical guitar and classical singing and completed her studies with distinction and first prize. As a singer, she is active in the Early Music scene promoting the vocal music of the 16th and 17th centuries. She has also collaborated with the Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens and the Orchestra of the American College of Athens in the performance of J.S.Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Magnificat, A.Vivaldi’ s Gloria, and W.A.Mozart’s Requiem. Mrs. Minakoulis teaches at the Early Music Department of the Nakas Conservatory and the Music Department of the American College of Greece. She has also collaborated with Megaron Moussikis in the presentation of Sunday Morning Concerts.

10.9.2011 Moraites

Georgia Marini:  Violin, Stavros Panagiotopoulos: Clarinet, Konstantinos Spiropoulos: Lute/Voice, Theodossis Diskos: Percussion

Moraites started off in 1992 in Kalamata. Since then, they have participated in many events about traditional Greek music, inside and outside the city of Kalamata. They accompany dance groups, they play traditional Greek music in theatre plays, they participate in concerts and of course, they play in weddings and festivals that want to preserve a traditional tone. In the winter of 2009-2010, two of the group’s musicians, Georgia Marini (violin) and Stavros Panagiotopoulos (clarinet) participated in the recording of a children’s theatre play “Romeo and Juliette, like the Dog with the Cat” directed by Anneta Papathanasiou based on the music of Maria-Christina Krithara. In 2010 they started transcribing traditional songs of the areas Ksiromero and Zagori. These transcriptions are based on performances of great musicians such as Vasilis Soukas and Grigoris Kapsalis. The ultimate goal is the presentation of these songs in musical and educational events.  www.moraites.gr

26.06.2010   Maria Garzon (Spain) – Piano

The Spanish concert-pianist Maria Garzon studied in Madrid, Salzburg, Cologne and London, and lives now in Mani in the village Riglia.

She is performing as a soloist all over the world and has recorded for TVE,BBC,WDR,NDR and RAI amongst others, and various CDs.

Maria has discovered the works of the Czech 18th century composer J.L.Dussek and has recorded CDs with are available now.

In 2009 she co-founded the Mani-Sonnenlink Festival as it was always her wish to create a venue for classical music in the Mani.

03.07.2010   Kostantis Kourmadias (Athens) & Laura Shannon (Scotland/USA)

Love Songs of Heaven and Earth

Traditional Songs from Greece, Armenia, Turkey, Kurdistan and the Balkans

with saz, voice & percussion:

Kostantis Kourmadias – Saz, vocals

Kostantis Kourmadias is a master of the violin and the saz. He specialises in the oldest forms of traditional Greek music, particularly island music and the Greek music of Asia Minor, where his grandparents were born. Kostantis also plays rembetika and music of the Balkans

and the Middle East. In 1986 he co-founded the Ravanastro, the first acoustic traditional music club in Athens. He has played with Ross Daly, Yiannis Sevgolis, Christos Tsiamoulis, Marisa Koch, Methorios and others. Much in demand for weddings and baptisms in Greece, Kostantis also teaches Byzantine music at the Pallini Music High School in Athens.

Laura Shannon – bendir, dajre, doumberleki, zills, spoons, vocals

Laura’s passion for dance led her to Balkan and Middle Eastern music in the early 1980s. Born in the United States, living in Findhorn since 1998, Laura has devoted her life to researching and teaching traditional folk dances and their music. She is known worldwide for her inspiring performances, workshops, teaching and articles, and for her pioneering approach to women’s ritual dances as a spiritual practice.

Kostantis and Laura give concerts and workshops regularly in Greece, Germany, Austria, France, Sweden, the US and the UK. The profoundly healing quality of their music recently earned them a grant from the Blessing Foundation to produce their first CD.

www.laurashannon.net

In 1979 he organized the first «Mauro Giuliani Festival», in Bari, Italy.

During his long careeer as a concertist and chamber music player, he has played in the most important musical venues in Rome, Bari, Perugia, Brussels, France, South Africa and has performed in various radio and television broadcasts.

He has been awarded for his musical merits in various international contests in Palermo, Rome, Siena, and Tunisia.

Since 1976 he has been teaching in many Italian national Conservatories, as well as in various music academies in South Africa, France, and Belgium. He has published various successful records and CDs.

www.giuseppeficara.com/divx.htm

Barbara Spitz (London/Vienna) and Ulli Winter (Vienna)

A Musical Journey of Unplugged Songs from the 60s and 70s based around the 10 commandments with 2 voices and 2 guitars.

Ulli Winter is a freelance musician. As a guitarist, he worked for Ulli Bäer, Gary Lux, Christian Kolonovits, Andy Lee Lang, Wr. Kramuri (with Gerald Pichowetz), Barbara Spitz, United Stages Vienna (Abba, Rocking Musical), Klagenfurt City Theatre (Evita, Rocky Horror Show, etc.) Schauspielhaus Wien.

He also worked for film soundtracks, advertising jingles and in countless studio sessions.

Most recent co-operations for Gebrüder Ullrich (Ulli Bäer duo), The Untouchables, various productions of TTM Promotions (Abbariginal, Fully, Glory Days), VGB (Vintage Guitar Band), Danube Island Festival, Concert with Chuck Berry, Blues Opening Spring 2009 Wr. Stadthalle, etc.

In addition, he teaches guitar and works as an arranger and composer.

Barbara Spitz performed in many bands in the 1970s in London including the legendary Sadista Sisters. In 1983 she moved to Europe where she has been working as an actress and singer performing in musicals, galas, as well as classical theatre and her solo, shows in Berlin at die Sofiensaelen, die Arena, die Komische Oper and in Vienna at das Schauspielhaus, das Raimundtheater, das Volkstheater, die Volksoper, Theater der Jugend, das Metropol and at the Edinburgh Festival and the Sydney Opera House.

www.orpheon.org

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809): Trio 109 in C–Dur für Baryton, Viola und Basso

Adagio – Menuett – Allegro

Andreas Lidl (1769-1774): Divertimento in G–Dur für Viola da gamba, Viola und Basso

Allegro – Andante – Allegro molto

Joseph Haydn: Trio 96 in h-moll für Baryton, Viola und Basso

Largo – Menuett – Allegro

Andreas Lidl: Divertimento in G–Dur für Viola da gamba, Viola und Basso

Moderato – Andante – Presto

Joseph Haydn: Trio 28 in D–Dur für Baryton, Viola und Basso

Adagio – Menuett – Finale: Presto

Orpheon is an ensemble specialized in the performance of the music of the Renaissance and the Baroque respecting the aesthetics of the diverse styles which these periods encompass. The ensemble employs instruments of the private collection of its director, Prof. José Vázquez, of the University for Music and the Performing Arts Vienna, which comprises over 170 choice string instruments – violins, violas, violoncellos and violas da gamba – from the 16th, 17th and 18th Centuries and historical bows, all in original condition or faithfully restored to the original measurements of the Renaissance the Baroque and the Classical Periods. This collection of fine old instruments, recognised as unique in the world by the directors and curators of prestigious museums (Metropolitan Museum in New York, Smithsonian Institute in Washington, Sotheby’s London) is at present being presented as an exhibition all over Europe, together with concerts of Orpheon, funded in part by a generous grant of the European Commission Culture-2000, Mozart-Call. A permanent museum, with its own institute for performance practice and workshop for the restoration of historical string instruments, will be established in the near future.

José Vázquez was born in La Habana, Cuba.

He studied and performed in Chicago before undertaking professional studies of the viola da gamba and baroque violin at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis in Switzerland. In 1980 he was appointed to the Conservatory of Music in Winterthur, Switzerland, where he teaches performance practice, viola da gamba and baroque violin. In 1982 he was appointed professor for viola da gamba at the University of Music in Vienna, Austria. Concerts as a soloist with various European orchestras, including the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Zürich Opera Orchestra, Salzburg Chamber Orchestra, and The Smithsonian Chamber Players.

Recordings with diverse ensembles, among which the Orpheon Baroque Orchestra and Orpheon Consort, that he founded.

In recognition of his artistic achievements the Austrian Government awarded José Vázquez the Silver Cross-of-Honour for Merit of the Republic of Austria. (Silbernes Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich).

Christa Opriessnig born in Graz (Austria), completed her musical education in the same city (violin and music education) and afterwards in Cincinnati (USA) with Henry Meyer (LaSalle-Quartett).

After an intense activity as a concertist of early music in Vienna (with Wien Barock, Orpheon Consort, Salzburg Barockensemble, Concilium Musicum, Rene Clemencic and Christophe Coin), she joined the Styria Quartet for concerts and radio productions.

She also teaches German and music at the lyceum in Vienna.

Born in Hungary, Lúcia Krommer received in Budapest her diploma with distinction for the violoncello, the viola da gamba and chamber music in 1996. She subsequently studied the viola da gamba with José Vázquez at the University for Music in Vienna, with whom she appears frequently in concert. She taught viola da gamba, Baroque violoncello and chamber music at the Department for Early Music at the University of Brno from 2002 to 2006, as well as in numerous academies in France, Spain, Great Britain, the Czech Republic and Hungary. She travels all over Europe with the viola da gamba and baroque violoncello as a soloist and as a member of numerous Baroque ensembles. She concertises and records regularly with the Orpheon Consort.

Jaques Bernier began his musical studies with the national academy of Toulouse. He graduated at the international training course of Salzburg and later obtained a Licence in concert at the teacher training school of music of Paris. Since 1992, he has been a full-time professor.

Jacques Bernier performs regularly in Paris (Gaveau Hall, Cortot Hall) and all over France and abroad in various formations. Pianist and educationalist, Jacques Bernier attempts to defend all the styles of music. To teach, according to him, obliges a musician to have a personal introspection which can  enable him to evolve as a concert performer. He devotes most of its activity to chamber music.

Maria Papapetropoulou studied piano at the “Athenaion” Conservatory. After being awarded an Onassis Foundation Scholarship, she studied vocal accompaniment at the University o Karlsruhe. She has appeared in a large number of recitals and chamber music concerts in Greece, France, Germany, Italy and Turkey.

She has worked as a soloist with the Athens National Orchestra, The Orchestra of Colours, The Philarmonic Orchestra of Riazan in Russia and the Youth Orchestra of Munster in Germany. She teaches accompaniment and chamber music at the Municipal Conservatory of Kalamata.

Jaques Bernier: see above

Theodora Baka – Voice, Mariella Kesisoglou – Clarinet,  Maria Papapetropoulou (Athens/Kalamata) – Piano

ERATO – Trio: Songs With and Without Words

from: G. Sfiridis, M. Hatzidakis, Ch. Mendis, N. Kypourgos

ERATO ENSEMBLE

The music ensemble „ERATO“ comprises of Theodora Baka (voice), Mariella Kesisoglou (clarinet) and Maria Papapetropoulou (piano). All three of them have studied in Music Academies in Germany and got together in order to unite their knowledge and express a common interpretation approach of the Greek musical art.

The main part of their programme includes Manos Hatzidakis’cycles of songs arranged for a trio (voice-clarinet-piano), as well as songs of other Greek composers, such as Nikos Kypourgos and Giorgos Kouroupos.

Furthermore, their interpretations include other contemporary Greek composers, such as Stathis Gyftakis, Giorgos Sfiridis, Nikos Tsotras and others, who have composed music especially for the “ERATO ENSEMBLE”.

The ensemble has performed with great success in Greece, Germany, Poland and Italy (among other at the Munich Philharmonic and the Piccolo Teatro in Milan). Critics in German newspapers call them “the three Muses of Greek music” and especially emphasize their sensitive interpretation, which reveals in all aspects the “euphoric melancholy” of this kind of music.

Theodora Baka started her studies at the Municipal Conservatoire of Larissa, after which she graduated in opera and chamber music at the Hanover Academy of Music and Theatre.

She has performed in chamber music concerts and song recitals as a soloist or with various Ensembles in Germany, Greece, Portugal, and Italy.

Her repertoire ranges from Renaissance and Baroque to contemporary music, including Greek music.

She has recorded several CDs,  of both operas and traditional Greek songs.

Mariella Kesisoglou was born in Athens. She began studying clarinet at the Conservatorium of Athens and then continued her studies in Germany and Switzerland obtaining an Orchestral Diploma and a Chamber Music Diploma.

As a member of diverse chamber music ensembles, she has performed in Greece, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Poland, Canada and Brazil as well as made recordings for the Greek and the German television (ARD).

Since 2001 she has been teaching clarinet in Berlin and  Potsdam.

She is a founder member of the “Trio Viaggio”, the “Erato Ensemble” and contributed to the festival “Milano incontra la Grecia” at the “ Piccolo Teatro” in Milan.

Maria Papapetropoulou see above

The Concert pianist Denos Gianopoulos is performing with symphony orchestras, recitals and chamber music.

Gianopoulos has based himself in Berkeley California, the home of the great University of California, in whose department of music he taught music for 34 years.

He was born in the San Francisco bay area of Greek parents from the Peloponnese.

Denos inaugurated, as soloist, the Mid-Summer Mozart concerts in California, and beyond California has performed recitals in cities all over US and in Vancouver, Canada.

In Europe he has performed in England and in Greece – in Athens, at the music megaro in recital, and with the Camerata orchestra.

28.08.2010   SPHAIRA – Trio: Ursula Kortschak (Vienna) – Violin, Effi Minakoulis (Athens) – Lute and Voice, Tobias Schlierf (Hamburg) – Violoncello and Voice

Bernard de Ventadorn (1130–1140; † 1190–1200):  ……………………..    Can vei la lauzetta

Walther der Vogelweide(1170-1230):   …………………………………………       Under der linden

Beatritz de Diavon: (born c. 1140):   ………………………………………………                  A chantar

Oswald von Wolkenstein(1377-1445):   ………………………………………         Ain tunkle farb

Walther der Vogelweide:……………………………………………………………    Palestinalied

Llibre Vermel: (14th century)   ………………………………………………………..              Imperayritz

Francesco Landini(1325-1397):   ………………………………………………..      Ecco la primvera

Anonymus:   …………………………………………………………………………………  Lamento di Tristano

with medieval instruments (lute, hurdy gurdy, portable organ, rebec, flute und voices)

Arcangelo Corelli (1653-1713):

op 5  Nr. IX in A-major with 4 movements:

1. Preludio – Largo  2. Giga – Allegro  3. Adagio  4. Tempo di Gavotta – Allegro

Dario Castello (1590-1644): Sonata seconda: for violin and basso continuo

Arvo Pärt (* 11. September 1935): Mirror in the Mirror for violin and piano

Manos Hatzidakis (1925-1994): Matomenos Gamos (Bloodwedding)

for voice, guitar, strings, piano…

 

Ursula Kortschak (Vienna) – Violin

Ursula Korstchak was born in Graz and studied in Vienna, then at the Mozarteum in Salzburg with Thomas Riebl and baroque violin at the Schola Cantorum with Chiara Banchini.

Since 1992 she plays in Harnoncourt’s Concentus Musicus Wien. She also participates in Clemencic Consort, the Balthasar Neumann Ensemble, but also in the ensemble for new music series.

Numerous records document the work of the artist. Most recently, she recorded with Hiro Kurosaki sonatas by Biber and Fux.

Tobias Schlierf (München, Athen) – Violoncello and Voice

Cello and vocal studies in Munich. He first worked as a countertenor in a variety of vocal ensembles (Chamber Choir Stuttgart, Singer Pur, etc.) and soloist in oratorio and opera. In 1996 he chose the bass part. 1997-2000:

he performed as a solo singer at the Munich Opera Liebfrauendom and other various venues. In 2000 he started composing as well. 2002/03 Member of the Choir of the Radio-Television’s Society of Greece and a regular guest at Greek official ceremonies. He also performs as a freelance singer in all the German radio guest choirs, the Balthasar-Neumann-Chor, with the Stuttgart New Vocal Soloists, Collegium Vocale Gent and others.

http://www.myspace.com/tobiasschlierf

Effi Minakoulis (Athens) – Lute and Voice

Effi Minakoulis was born in Athens. She studied French Literature, classical guitar and classical singing and completed her studies with distinction and first prize.

As a singer she is active in the Early Music scene promoting the vocal music of the 16th and 17th centuries. She has also collaborated with the Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens and the Orchestra of the American College of Athens in the performance of J. S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Magnificat, A. Vivaldi’ s Gloria, and W. A. Mozart’s Requiem.

Mrs. Minakoulis teaches at the Early Music Department of the Nakas Conservatory and the Music Department of the American College of Greece. She has also collaborated with Megaron Moussikis in the presentation of Sunday Morning Concerts.

 

who else performed for our festival:

04.07.2009   Neil Latchmann (Trinidad) – Tenor

Neil Latchmann is a Classical and Opera Tenor born and raised in Trinidad, from where he moved later in his career to London. He hast a very flexible and rich repertoir – from Songs of the Latin American cultur until Italian Operas and Oreatores. His speciality is recitals esp on italian songs.

For more information look at his very interesting and impressive webpage: www.neillatchman.com

He has been singing and recorded with Maria Garzon since 12 years, and thats how he found us here in the beautiful Mani.

11.07.2009   Vicky Vasiliadi (Athens) – Flute

Vicky Vasiliadi was born in Athens. Studied at the Philosopical School of the University of Athens, and flute at the “Athenaion” Conservatory.

and at the Conservatoire de Boulogne in Paris.

She has also attended flute seminars with W. Bennett and J.CI. Girard, and seminars of traditional (Greek) music and orchestral music in Athens. She has given solo recitals and many chamber music concerts in Athens, various festivals around Greece and abroad. She has worked as a solist with the Baroque and teaches flute at the Municipal Conservatory of Kalamata.

18.07.2009  Berta Metz-Kukuk (Austria) – Violin

The Austrian violinist Berta Metz-Kukuk lives in Germany, where she now plays first violin in the Düsseldorf Symphony-Orchstra.

Besides her wirk in the orchestra, she lays regularely chamber music in different formations.

She works as a teacher in different positions on Universities and Highschools. She has created an holiday academy  for children.

She plays a Violin by L. B. Guadagnini from 1760.

 

04.07.2009   Neil Latchmann (Trinidad) – Tenor

Neil Latchmann is a Classical and Opera Tenor, born and raised in Trinidad, from where he moved later in his career to London. He has a very flexible and rich repertoire – from Songs of the Latin American culture to Italian Operas and Oratorios. His speciality is recitals esp on Italian songs.

For more information look at his very interesting and impressive webpage: www.neillatchman.com

He has been singing and recording with Maria Garzon for 12 years, and that’s how he found us here in the beautiful Mani.

11.07.2009   Vicky Vasiliadi (Athens) – Flute

Vicky Vasiliadi was born in Athens. Studied at the Philosophical School of the University of Athens, and flute at the “Athenaion” Conservatory.

And at the Conservatoire de Boulogne in Paris.

She has also attended flute seminars with W. Bennett and J.CI. Girard, and seminars on traditional (Greek) music and orchestral music in Athens. She has given solo recitals and many chamber music concerts in Athens, various festivals around Greece and abroad. She has worked as a soloist with the Baroque and teaches flute at the Municipal Conservatory of Kalamata.

18.07.2009  Berta Metz-Kukuk (Austria) – Violin

The Austrian violinist Berta Metz-Kukuk lives in Germany, where she now plays the first violin in the Düsseldorf Symphony-Orchestra.

Besides her work in the orchestra, she plays regularly chamber music in different formations.

She works as a teacher in different positions in Universities and Highschools. She has created a holiday academy for children.

She plays a Violin by L. B. Guadagnini from 1760.