Markopoulos plays the Herod Atticus
Greek composer Yiannis Markopoulos will perform landmark works such as «Chronicle,» «Nativeland,» «Lifetime» and «The Liturgy of Orpheus» over two nights at the Herod Atticus Theater tomorrow and Friday. The production, part of this summer’s Athens Festival, is directed by Sofia Spyratou in association with her dance group Roes. Commenting on his upcoming performances, Markopoulos noted: «I’m focusing on young people [meaning the performers] for whom I feel a sense love and obligation, as they learned my compositions by listening to their parents’ vinyl records.» Markopoulos, on yet another occasion, underlined the importance of Greek folk music, or «demotika,» and traditional instruments in his work. Tomorrow’s performance will feature his «Liturgy of Orpheus,» a composition inspired by ancient Orphic poems, sung by Belgian bass-baritone Jose van Dam in the Greek language. A three-time Grammy winner and recipient of numerous other international awards, Van Dam has built an extensive discography and has landed roles in various films, including «The Music Teacher» (1988) and «Don Giovanni» (1976). Markopoulos’s concerts will feature actor Costas Kazakos as narrator, with contributions from Vassiliki Lavina and Koulis Theodorou. Tomorrow night, Alkinoos Ioannidis, one of the country’s more popular musical acts, will sing songs from «Nativeland.» On Friday he will be joined by popular Greek singer Costas Makedonas and soprano Irini Karagianni, for vocal interpretations of «Chronicle,» «Nativeland,» and «Lifetime.» Also taking part in the production is the ERT State Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra and Choir.
