A dimly lit Greek taverna, glasses clinking, voices soaring in intertwining songs: This is the atmosphere evoked by “Tribute to Theodorakis,” a concert tour bringing the music and spirit of the late and great Greek composer to life across the Netherlands this month, in a celebration of defiance, hope and love.
On stage, singer Vassilis Lekkas – one of the most expressive performers of Theodorakis’s repertoire – joins forces with an outstanding international ensemble of musicians whose backgrounds span classical, jazz and folk traditions from around the world.
At its heart stands Greek singer Vassilis Lekkas, one of the most expressive performers of Theodorakis’s songs, surrounded by an inspired international ensemble.
Dutch musicians Bart and Julian Schneemann lead the project – Julian shaping the arrangements at the piano, with Bart lending the voice of his oboe – joined by violinist Emmy Storms, horn and percussionist Romain Bly, and contrabassist and vocalist Nathalie Schaap. Italian virtuoso Simone Bottasso brings the airy timbre of the organetto, while Turkish artist Sinan Arat offers the haunting tones of the ney and his own voice. Completing the circle, Charis Laurijssen’s bouzouki ties the music back to its Greek roots, shimmering with nostalgia and light.
Behind them, a projection of a historic Piraeus taverna comes alive: musicians on screen “converse” with those on stage, dissolving the borders between past and present. Interspersed are rare film clips of Theodorakis himself – the composer, conductor, activist and visionary – whose music once gave his people courage and whose melodies carried the verses of Greece’s greatest poets.
A collaboration between Greece’s In Session Events and the Dutch foundation Stichting Caravan, “Tribute to Theodorakis” began its Netherlands tour in Haarlem on October 2, is now in Amsterdam (October 7) and then heads to Groningen (October 9), Heiloo (October 19), Dordrecht (October 23) and Breda (October 24).
For more information, visit insessionevents.com and julianschneemann.com.
