Brussels experienced three extraordinary evenings as Greek vocalist Betty Harlafti returned to the Belgian capital, invited to perform with La Badinerie Orchestra and Choir, a monumental interpretation of oratorio “Canto General”, marking the powerful conclusion of the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis’ birth.
Staged over three consecutive sold-out concerts at the Novum Theater, on the 12th, 13th and 14th of December, the performances, under the impactful direction of maestro Laëndi Lipnik, drew thousands of spectators, filling the hall each evening with intense emotion, prolonged standing ovations and an atmosphere of collective remembrance.
On stage, Betty Harlafti was joined by more than one hundred performers of the La Badinerie Choir and Orchestra. The production also featured acclaimed Belgian baritone Kris Belligh and Swiss actor Romain Cinter, whose narration added dramatic clarity to the “Canto General”.
Internationally recognized as “the voice of Mikis Theodorakis from the younger generation”, a distinction personally bestowed upon her selection by the composer himself, Harlafti once again reaffirmed her singular role as a contemporary ambassador of his musical legacy.
Audiences responded with overwhelming enthusiasm, praising this presentation of the monumental collaboration between Mikis Theodorakis and Nobel Prize–winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, for its artistic depth, emotional force and historical resonance.
The year of Mikis Theodorakis concludes in Brussels
Capturing the spirit of the events, Betty Harlafti remarked:
“What we are experiencing here is deeply moving. It is not easy to put into words. The audience is expressing its profound love for Mikis Theodorakis and his work and, I would like to believe, for Greece as well. It is a great honor that for me, the Year of Mikis Theodorakis concludes here in Brussels, at the heart of Europe. These evenings feel truly magical.”
Commenting on the emotional impact of the monumental work, baritone Kris Belligh noted:
“This is the third time I am performing Canto General*, and as with all of Mikis Theodorakis’ music, it reaches you straight in the stomach. To perform it again with such remarkable musicians is both a privilege and an honor.”*
Highlighting the deeper meaning behind the music, maestro Laëndi Lipnik, emphasized:
“Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Mikis Theodorakis’ birth holds deep importance for our artistic soul. This is music that cannot be performed without a connection to the life of a man who contributed so much to humanity. It is not only artistic, it is humain. That human dimension lives in every single note of his music. Theodorakis used to say that he lived three lives, and one of them was a life of struggle and conquest. That spirit is present in this music.”
Alongside “Canto General”, the program included powerful excerpts from “Axion Esti”, “The Ballad of Mauthausen”, and“, offering audiences a panoramic view of Theodorakis’ vast musical universe.
With these three unforgettable nights, Brussels once again affirmed its role as a meeting point for culture, memory and artistic dialogue, hosting the final chapter of a centenary tribute to one of the most influential composers of the 20th century.
As the curtain fell on the Novum Theater, one message resonated clearly: the music of Mikis Theodorakis remains alive, urgent and profoundly human, carried forward by artists who continue to honor its spirit with integrity and passion.
Related: Remembering Mikis Theodorakis’ Last Concert in Athens
