Buenos Aires is set to host a major cultural event: the highly anticipated return of George Dalaras, the leading exponent of contemporary Greek music.
Organized by the Hellenic Foundation and Community in Argentina, Dalaras will perform a single concert on November 12th at the iconic Teatro Coliseo (MT de Alvear 1125, CABA).
With a career spanning over five decades and 60 albums, Dalaras is more than a singer; he is a living symbol of Hellenic music. Born in Piraeus, the historic port of Athens, he has forged a unique sound that blends the power of rebetiko and laïkó with influences from rock, Mediterranean folk, and Arabic and Latin American genres.
Dalaras’ deep connection to Argentina
Dalaras’ third return to Buenos Aires is deeply personal, rooted in his profound admiration for Argentina’s musical heritage. He highlighted the central role of music in both nations’ lives:
“Just like in Greece, music in Argentina plays a vital role in people’s lives. There is a powerful musical tradition that sustains—even defines—its people. It offers them comfort and hope,” he told Argentina’s Perfil in an extensive interview.
This artistic connection is evident in his repertoire, which honors legendary collaborations with two giants of local music: Mercedes Sosa and Ariel Ramírez. Dalaras noted that the influence is lifelong:
“The songs of Latin America also hold a special place in my heart. They are the sounds that shaped my adolescence, my constant ‘conversation’ with my guitar.”
The performance and the repertoire
The concert promises an emotional journey alongside singer Violeta Ikari, possessor of a truly unique voice, and Alexandros Tzouganakis, who will bring the spirit of Cretan tradition with his laouto.
The repertoire will be a meticulous balance of great Greek classics—the fruit of his collaborations with composers of the stature of Mikis Theodorakis and Manos Loïzos—and a special tribute to Latin music. Dalaras reflected on the difficulty of curating such a rich history:
“You’ve touched on a very delicate and difficult subject: the choice of songs! What can be left out of a concert program? Especially when it’s a rare performance, aimed both at our fellow Greeks abroad and at honoring the musical tradition of the host country… We will sing the songs you love from my collaborations with great Greek composers, but there will also be a special tribute to local music.”
The artist also expressed his excitement at seeing generations united in the audience, a memory from his previous visits:
“I will never forget the passion and enthusiasm of those who honored us with their presence. Grandparents singing alongside their children and grandchildren, all united by a common bond, a shared myth: those same songs.”
George Dalaras, also recognized for his humanitarian work as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, returns to demonstrate that Hellenic influence and the soul of folk song transcend languages and borders.
The concert will take place on Wednesday, November 12th at 9 PM.
