Megaron series aims for a new audience
The Atrium of the Muses, that beautiful space of the Athens Concert Hall, commonly known as the Megaron Moussikis, that is used to host small concerts in a relaxed atmosphere, begins its series of events following the summer break on August 30 with a tribute to Manos Hadjidakis. Headliners for the tribute include Elli Paspala, David Lynch and the band Raining Pleasure, who recently reworked the eminent composer’s «Reflections» with a rock/electronica twist. This year’s series, which was run in pilot form last season, will last until September 14. New audiences «We are interested in attracting young people to the Athens Concert Hall, people who do not belong to our regular clientele,» said the Megaron Moussikis Organization’s president, Christos Lambrakis, at a press conference last week. He also added that many of the concert hall’s venues have already been booked through to 2010 to host conferences, within the framework of a new collaboration between the Megaron and the Ministry of Tourism Development to boost conference and cultural tourism in the country. «If there is one thing that will define the future of tourism in Greece, that is culture,» said Tourism Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos, also at the press conference. Popular artists Ten concerts comprise the Atrium of the Muses program, put together by artistic director Anna Dalara, and they bring together some of the country’s most popular artists. The program starts with the Hadjidakis tribute on August 30 and 31, followed by a concert by Manolis Lidakis on September 1 and 2, in which the singer will present a selection from the breadth of his recording career, including traditional Greek tunes, popular melodies and covers of Hadjidakis, Alayiannis, Spanos, Vagiopoulos, Bithikotis and other popular composers. On September 6 and 7, balladeer and rocker Orfeas Peridis is joined by Melina Kana, Manos Pyrovolakis and Adrianna Babali in another medley show. Hadjidakis, Piazzolla On September 10 and 11, renowned Greek soprano Sonia Theodoridou will perform songs by Hadjidakis and Astor Piazzolla accompanied by the Tangarto Quartet. The series will then wrap up on September 13 and 14 with two evenings dedicated to the music of Mikis Theodorakis, featuring vocalists Nena Venetsanou and Giorgos Theodorakis accompanied by the Mikis Theodorakis Folk Orchestra. Athens Concert Hall, 1 Kokkali & Vas. Sofias, tel 210.728.2333. Tickets for all events cost 20 euros. For more information log on to www.megaron.gr.
