July 6, 2014

My Dear Friends and Festival Supporters, This year’s 10th Annual Festival of the Aegean is truly a milestone. Just 10 years ago, it would have been impossible for me to have imagined that the very first notes of Rossini’s Il barbiere di Siviglia on July 1, 2005, would lead to a unique, thriving, and critically-acclaimed series of events and concerts, which are coinciding today with the 150th Anniversary of the Apollo Theater, “La piccola Scala.” I remember coming to from some years ago, wondering if it was really possible that there was a great theater on this small but important Cycladic Island. But from the moment I walked up the 11 steps and through the doors and into the theater, my doubts were blown away. This was the same feeling, I might add, that I had experienced when I entered for the first time on November 24, 1983. How was it possible that there was such a magnificent theater on this Cycladic Island? I consider myself so fortunate to have arrived at the theater at that particular time in my life. Immediately, I could envision the possibility of presenting a Festival based in the Apollo Theater, and since 2005 that possibility has become an annual reality. Now, ten years and more than a hundred performances later, with the support of the Friends of the Festival, we have presented thousands of world-class artists, including 55 choruses, 10 orchestras, hundreds of soloists, directors, technical support staff, and members of the Greek Opera Studio in 16 , 2 concerts, sacred music concerts, children’s concerts, ballet, theater, popular music, jazz, 3 , and oratorios, to appreciative audiences. The Island of Syros, and especially the City of Ermoupolis, has become famous throughout and beyond as a summer destination for the very highest level of cultural programming. In 2011, in recognition of the Festival’s artistic achievements, the -based Union of Greek Theatre and Music Critics named it the “Best Festival in Greater Greece.” Special mention must be made of my friend, Mayor Yannis Dekavallas. We met 15 years ago during my first visit, and we have maintained an abiding friendship. Without him, there would be no Festival of the Aegean. He has been supportive both personally and professionally, always kind, always personable, always respectful, and always sincere. As he ends his tenure as Mayor after 24 years, a new mayor, Giorgos Marangos, will head the government in Syros. I look forward to working closely with Mayor Marangos and the new Council to help move this Festival into its second decade. I would like to thank Eilana Lappalainen-Tiboris for her tireless dedication, professionalism, artistry, enthusiasm, and vision in the growth and development of this Festival. And, lastly, to all of you who have supported the Festival of the Aegean, a big thank you comes from the bottom of my heart. You are all so important to what this venture has become.

Most sincerely,

Peter Tiboris General Director, Festival of the Aegean Honorary Citizen of Syros Σύρα, 6 Ιουλίου 2014

Αγαπητοί φίλοι και υποστηρικτές του Φεστιβάλ Αιγαίου, Επιτρέψτε μου να χαρακτηρίσω “ορόσημο” τη διοργάνωση του 10ου Φεστιβάλ Αιγαίου, όχι μόνον διότι πριν από 10 χρόνια, όταν ακούγονταν οι πρώτες νότες του έργου του Rossini “Ο κουρέας της Σεβίλλης”, την 1η Ιουλίου 2005, ήταν μάλλον αδύνατο να φανταστεί κανείς ότι θα φτάναμε σε ένα μοναδικό, εντυπωσιακό και δημοφιλές μουσικό γεγονός, αλλά και διότι αυτή η συγκεκριμένη διοργάνωση συμπίπτει με τα 150 χρόνια από την εναρκτήρια παράσταση του Θεάτρου “Απόλλων”. Ερχόμενος από τη Μύκονο πριν μερικά χρόνια, θυμάμαι, σαν σε όνειρο, ότι αναρωτιόμουν εάν πράγματι υπάρχει θέατρο όπερας σε αυτό το μικρό αλλά σπουδαίο νησί των Κυκλάδων. Οι αμφιβολίες μου όμως εξανεμίσθηκαν μόλις ανέβηκα τα 11 σκαλιά και πέρασα τις πόρτες του θεάτρου. Ένιωσα να με γεμίζει το ίδιο συναίσθημα που είχα νιώσει περνώντας για πρώτη φορά την είσοδο του Carnegie Hall στις 24 Νοεμβρίου 1983. Πως είναι δυνατόν να υπάρχει ένα τόσο υπέροχο θέατρο σε ένα Κυκλαδονήσι; Και πόσο τυχερός ήμουν να περάσω την είσοδο αυτού του θεάτρου, σ’ αυτή τη συγκεκριμένη στιγμή της ζωής μου; Το όραμα της δημιουργίας ενός μεγάλου φεστιβάλ βασισμένου στο θέατρο “Απόλλων” με κυρίευσε και από τότε αυτό το όραμα έγινε μία ετήσια πραγματικότητα. Σε αυτά τα 10 γεμάτα μουσική χρόνια, απολαύσαμε 55 χορωδίες, 10 ορχήστρες, εκατοντάδες σολίστ, διευθυντές ορχήστρας, στελέχη τεχνικής υποστήριξης, μέλη του Greek Opera Studio, με τη συμμετοχή χιλιάδων διεθνούς φήμης καλλιτεχνών, σε 16 όπερες, κονσέρτα στην πλατεία Μιαούλη, κονσέρτα θρησκευτικής μουσικής, παιδικά κονσέρτα, μπαλέτα, θεατρικές παραστάσεις, λαϊκή μουσική, jazz, συμφωνίες και ορατόρια, τα οποία εκτιμήθηκαν 2 3 από ένα πολύ αγαπητό κοινό. Το νησί της Σύρου έγινε ο καλοκαιρινός προορισμός ποιοτικών πολιτιστικών δρώμενων, φήμη η οποία εκτείνεται πέραν των ελληνικών συνόρων. Δράττομαι της ευκαιρίας να κάνω ιδιαίτερη μνεία στον απερχόμενο, μετά από 24 χρόνια Δήμαρχο κ. Γιάννη Δεκαβάλλα, χωρίς την υποστήριξη του οποίου δεν θα είχε υπάρξει Φεστιβάλ Αιγαίου. Με τον κ. Δεκαβάλλα γνωριστήκαμε πριν 15 χρόνια και σε όλο αυτό το διάστημα με τίμησε με την φιλία του και με την υποστήριξή του, τόσο σε προσωπικό όσο και σε επαγγελματικό επίπεδο. Υπήρξε πάντοτε ευγενής, προσηνής, ευπρεπής και ειλικρινής. Καθώς κλείνει ένα μεγάλο κεφάλαιο στην Τοπική Αυτοδιοίκηση της Σύρου, ένα νέο επίσης μεγάλο κεφάλαιο ανοίγει με την Δημαρχεία του κ. Γιώργου Μαραγκού. Προσδοκώ να συνεργαστώ το ίδιο στενά, τόσο με το νέο Δημοτικό Συμβούλιο όσο και το νέο Δήμαρχο κ. Γιώργο Μαραγκό, ώστε από κοινού να οδηγήσουμε το Φεστιβάλ Αιγαίου στην δεύτερη δεκαετία του. Τέλος, θα ήθελα να ευχαριστήσω τη σύζυγό μου Eilana Lappalainen-Tiboris, για την ακούραστη προσήλωσή, τον επαγγελματισμό, την καλλιτεχνία, τον ενθουσιασμό και την οραματικότητα της, στην ανάπτυξη και μεγέθυνση του θεσμού. Σε όλους εσάς δε, που έχετε υποστηρίξει το Φεστιβάλ Αιγαίου και έχετε συμβάλλει καθοριστικά να μεγαλουργήσει αυτός ο θεσμός, ένα μεγάλο ευχαριστώ από τα βάθη της καρδιάς μου.

Με βαθιά εκτίμηση,

Peter Tiboris Γενικός Διευθυντής Επίτιμος Δημότης Σύρου 4 5

YANNIS DEKAVALLAS Mayor of the Municipality of Syros-Hermoupolis With sincere appreciation for his support of the Festival of the Aegean during its first decade Sunday, Wednesday, Friday, July 6, 9, 11, 2014, at 20:30 Apollo Theater (“La piccola scala”) – 150th Anniversary MUSIC BY LIBRETTO BY FRANCESCO MARIA PIAVE Premiered on March 11, 1851, at in Venice, thirteen years before the opening performance in the Apollo Theater on April 20, 1864. Now 150 years and 10 weeks later this masterwork is performed as part of this special anniversary celebration.

PAZARDZHIK ORCHESTRA Peter Tiboris, Conductor Dirk Schattner, Stage Director

Rigoletto of Ermoupolis...... Anooshah Golesorkhi, Gilda, his daughter...... Vera Chekanova, Soprano The Duke of Mykonos...... Michael Wade Lee, Tenor Sparafucile, an assassin...... Vassilis Kostopoulos, Bass Maddalena, his sister...... Eleni Davou, Mezzo-soprano Giovanna, Gilda’s nurse...... Niki Rosa Frei, Mezzo-soprano Count Ceprano...... Nikolas Karagiaouris, Bass-baritone Countess Ceprano, his wife...... Danielle Vaillancourt, Mezzo-soprano Matteo Borsa...... Won Whi Choi, Tenor Count Monterone...... Sotiris Triantis, Baritone Marullo...... Baritone 4 Vasko Zdravkov, 5 A Court Usher...... Markos Simopoulos, Bass-baritone A Page...... Brooke Yadon & Kailey Miller, Mezzo-soprano

ERMOUPOLIS RIGOLETTO CHORUS Dangelo Fernando Diaz, Anastasios Stellas, Tenor Nikos Karagiaouris, Alexander Winn, Bass-baritone Richard Block, Argiris Vassileiou, Bass GREEK SINGERS FROM ATHENS Panos Labridis, Artemis Tsoukalas, Tenor Manos Papadopoulos, Baritone Eilana Lappalainen, Casting Director/Production Coordinator Rogelio Riojas-Nolasco, Assistant Conductor Jens Huebner, Lighting/Set Designer Reinhard Seifert, Technical Director Graham Cox, Principal Lucia Leyser, Stage Manager Vangelis Siadimas, Set Builder

Rigoletto is the story of a father’s love for his daughter, the love of a young girl for a man she hardly knows, and the lust of the powerful. It is a story as timeless as human feelings. During the 150th anniversary season of the beautiful Apollo Theater, we decided to set Rigoletto on the island of Syros itself, in the 1950s, shortly after Greece’s civil war.

Act I takes place in the Plateia in front of the palace and in a street near the port. Here, the Duke has a grand party, and Rigoletto hides away his daughter Gilda. Act II takes place at the Duke’s yacht. Act III takes place in the area that is today the Hotel Nissaki. Monday, July 7, 2014, at 20:30 Apollo Theater (“La piccola scala”) – 150th Anniversary CHORAL MASTERWORKS LED BY CHORAL MASTERS

CHOEUR D’ENFANTS D’ILE DE FRANCE, PARIS, FRANCE Francis Bardot, Choral Director Laurent Jochum, Pianist-Organist

JACQUES OFFENBACH Barcarolle from Les contes d’Hoffmann LÉO DELIBES Duo Des Fleurs from Lakmé GABRIEL FAURÉ Le Ruisseau GABRIEL FAURÉ Puisqu’ici-Bas Toute Âme GABRIEL FAURÉ La Tarentelle JOSEPH-GUY ROPARTZ Les Vêpres Sonnent Noël Des Enfants CLAUDE DEBUSSY Salut Printemps

6 7 INTERMISSION

Members of PAZARDZHIK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA John Rutter, Conductor

Camille Ortiz-Lafont, Soprano Vasko Zdravkov, Baritone

JOHN RUTTER Mass of the Children I. Kyrie II. Gloria III. Sanctus and Benedictus IV. Agnus Dei V. Finale (Dona nobis pacem)

PARTICIPATING CHORUSES The Barstow School Chamber Singers, Kansas City, Missouri, USA Bruce L. Dickerson, Choral Director Highlands Youth Ensemble, Bristol, Tennessee, USA Jane DeLoach Morison, Choral Director King University Symphonic , Bristol, Tennessee, USA W. Patrick Flannagan, Choral Director

CHILDREN’S CHORUSES Heart of the Valley Children’s Choir, Corvallis, Oregon, USA Carol Nelson, Choral Director Choeur d’enfants d’ile de France, Paris, France Francis Bardot, Choral Director TWO EVENINGS OF TOWERING MASTERWORKS OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at 20:30 Apollo Theater (“La piccola scala”) – 150th Anniversary

PAZARDZHIK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Peter Tiboris, Conductor

Eilana Lappalainen, Soprano

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture “Letter Scene” from Eugene Onegin, Op. 24

INTERMISSION

JOHANNES BRAHMS Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 1. Un poco sostenuto – Allegro – Meno allegro 2. Andante sostenuto (E major) 6 3. Un poco allegretto e grazioso 7 4. Adagio – Più andante – Allegro non troppo, ma con brio – Più allegro

Thursday, July 10, 2014, at 20:30 Apollo Theater (“La piccola scala”) – 150th Anniversary

PAZARDZHIK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Peter Tiboris, Conductor

Renato Ripo, Cello

ANTONIN DVOŘÁK Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104, B. 191 1. Allegro 2. Adagio, ma non troppo 3. Finale: Allegro moderato - Andante - Allegro vivo

INTERMISSION

JOHANNES BRAHMS Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68 1. Un poco sostenuto – Allegro – Meno allegro 2. Andante sostenuto 3. Un poco allegretto e grazioso 4. Adagio – Più andante – Allegro non troppo, ma con brio – Più allegro Friday, July 11, 2014, at 18:00 St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church CONCERT AT SUNSET “ILIOVASILEMA”

HEART OF THE VALLEY CHILDREN’S CHOIR, CORVALLIS, OREGON, USA Carol Nelson, Choral Director Lucy Watts, Accompanist

PYOTR TCHAIKOVSKY Dostoyno yest CHRISTOPHER TIN Baba Yetu, Swahili Adaptation of “The Lord’s Prayer” Maya Van Londen, Kenneth Anderson, Damian Kulp, Soloists KRYSTINA SAN GIOVANNI Agnus Dei PAVEL CHESNOKOV Salvation is Created (Kievan Chant) Dyan Shumway, Jordan Rogers, Soloists

HIGHLANDS YOUTH ENSEMBLE, BRISTOL, TENNESSEE, USA 8 Jane DeLoach Morison, Choral Director 9

LAJOS BARDOS Cantemus OLA GJEILO Ubi Caritas RENÉ CLAUSEN Set Me as a Seal UNDINE MOORE Daniel, Daniel, Servant of the Lord WILLIAM BYRD Ave Verum Corpus GORDON YOUNG Alleluia

CHOEUR D’ENFANTS D’ILE DE FRANCE, PARIS, FRANCE Francis Bardot, Choral Director Laurent Jochum, Pianist-Organist

FRENCH SACRED MUSIC

CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS Ave Maria CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS Sub Tuum Praesidum CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS Ave Verum GABRIEL FAURÉ Tantum Ergo JEAN LANGLAIS Ave Mundi Gloria CISTERCIEN GREGORIEN Salve Regina

With Special Thanks to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and Father Venediktos Frangoyannis Saturday, July 12, 2014, at 20:30 Apollo Theater (“La piccola scala”) – 150th Anniversary THE LATE ROMANTICS

PAZARDZHIK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, BULGARIA Grigor Palikarov, Conductor

Maria Prinz, Pianist

RICHARD WAGNER Overture to Tannhäuser

ROBERT SCHUMANN Piano Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 54 1. Allegro affettuoso 2. Intermezzo: Andantino grazioso 3. Allegro vivace

INTERMISSION

8 FELIX MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 56 (“Scottish”) 9 1. Andante con moto - Allegro un poco agitato 2. Vivace non troppo 3. Adagio 4. Allegro vivacissimo - Allegro maestoso assai

APOLLO THEATER (“La piccola scala”) Sunday, July 13, 2014 Miaoulis Square

PUCCINI IN THE PLATEIA AT 20:00 & THE WORLD CUP FINALE AT 22:00 A gala tribute to Puccini by a company of 400 artists from 17 countries, including highlights from , , La bohème, Turandot

PAZARDZHIK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, BULGARIA Peter Tiboris, Conductor (Tosca & Turandot) Grigor Palikarov, Conductor (Madama Butterfly, La bohème & Preludio Sinfonico)

Dirk Schattner, Stage Director Stella Kaltsou, Lighting Designer Zoe Zeniodi, Chorus Master Eilana Lappalainen, Casting Nikos & Dimitris Kontizas, Sound and Light Giorgos Roussos, Master of Ceremonies

MADAMA BUTTERFLY Act I, Scene I Cio-cio-san: Eilana Lappalainen, Soprano “E soffitto... e pareti...“ Pinkerton: Keith Ikaia-Purdy, Tenor Act II Sharpless: David Malis, Baritone 10 11 “Un bel di vendremo” Goro: Anastasios Stellas, Tenor

TOSCA Act I Floria Tosca: Eilana Lappalainen, Soprano “Va Tosca” (Te Deum) Mario Cavaradossi: Michael Wade Lee, Tenor Act III Il Barone Scarpia: Anooshah Golesorkhi, Baritone “E Lucevan le stelle” Sciarrone: Vasko Zdravkov, Baritone “Ah!... Franchigia a Floria Tosca” Spoletta: Dangelo Fernando Diaz, Tenor Soldati: Alexander Winn, Markos Simopoulos, Richard Block (Carceriere), Anastasios Stellas, Manos Papadopoulos, Argiris Vassileiou & Syros residents

PRELUDIO SINFONICO

LA BOHÈME Act I Mimi: Erica Muller, Soprano “Che gelida manina” Musetta: Vera Chekanova, Soprano “Si, mi chiamano Mimi” Rodolfo: Won Whi Choi, Tenor “O suave fanciulla” Marcello: Diego Alvarez Vilches, Baritone Act II Schaunard: Vasko Zdravkov, Baritone “Quando men vo” Colline: Vassilis Kostopoulos, Bass “Avanti” Alcindoro: Alexander Winn, Baritone Ensemble & Scene Ensemble: Greek Opera Studio Young Artists & the Festival Choir

TURANDOT “In questa reggia” Turandot: Eilana Lappalainen, Soprano “Nessun Dorma” Calaf: Michael Wade Lee, Tenor “Principessa di Morte” Ensemble: Purcy Raines & the Festival Choir GUEST SINGERS FROM ATHENS Panos Labridis, Artemis Tsoukalas, Manos Papadopoulos

PARTICIPATING CHORUSES

FROM FRANCE CHOEUR D’ENFANTS D’ILE DE FRANCE, PARIS, FRANCE Francis Bardot, Choral Director

FROM GREECE CHOIR OF EPTANISII OF , GREECE Lena Sourmeli, Choral Director CHOIR OF LYKEION ELLINIDON , GREECE Valentin Stefanov, Choral Director CHOIR OF FILARMONIKI CONSERVATORY OF PATRAS, GREECE Marina Rechkalova, Choral Director YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S CHOIR “ARMONIA” OF PREVEZA, GREECE Aneliya Stefanova, Choral Director MUNICIPAL CHOIR OF , GREECE Michalis Kalaentzis, Choral Director CHOIR OF SYROS MUSICAL CLUB, GREECE Dimitris Papatheodorou, Choral Director

FROM THE USA 10 11 THE BARSTOW SCHOOL CHAMBER SINGERS, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, USA Bruce L. Dickerson, Choral Director HEART OF THE VALLEY CHILDREN’S CHOIR, CORVALLIS, OREGON, USA Carol Nelson, Choral Director HIGHLANDS YOUTH ENSEMBLE, BRISTOL, TENNESSEE, USA Jane DeLoach Morison, Choral Director KING UNIVERSITY SYMPHONIC CHOIR, BRISTOL, TENNESSEE, USA W. Patrick Flannagan, Choral Director

INTERNATIONAL GREEK OPERA STUDIO SOLOISTS Camille Ortiz-Lafont, Erica Muller, Brianne Mathews, Brooke Nielsen, Abigail Snarr, Marilena Striftobola, Kara Bishop, Burcu Hanci, Shayna Jones, Kailey Miller, Niki Rosa Frei, Danielle Vaillancourt, Brooke Yadon, Yasmin Yitzhak-van der Hal, Won Whi Choi, Dangelo Fernando Diaz, Markos Simopoulos, Alexander Winn, Diego Alvarez Vilches, Vasko Zdravkov, Richard Block, Manos Papadopoulos, Argiris Vassileiou

With sincere and special thanks to THOMAS LOUZIOTIS and the HELLENIC ASSOCIATION for their continued support and collaboration in making this Festival, and especially this Plateia concert, an annual “National” event. Since 2005 more than 30 choirs from throughout Greece have participated in the Festival of the Aegean. Monday, July 14, 2014, at 20:30 Apollo Theater (“La piccola scala”) – 150th Anniversary ENSEMBLE MIDTVEST

Karolina Weltrowska, Violin Jonathan Slaatto, Cello Matthew Jones, Violin Tommaso Lonquich, Clarinet David Samuel, Viola Neil Page, French Horn Annabel Thwaite, Piano

Nicholas Pilvang, Project Manager Oliver Quast, General Manager

ANTONIO VIVALDI Trio Sonata for two violins and cello in D minor, RV 63 (”La Follia”)

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Quintet for clarinet and string quartet in A major, K.581 1. Allegro 2. Larghetto 3. Menuetto - Trio I - Trio II 4. Allegretto con Variazioni

INTERMISSION

JOHANNES BRAHMS Trio for violin, French horn and piano 12 13 in E-flat major, Op. 40 1. Andante 2. Scherzo (Allegro) 3. Adagio mesto 4. Allegro con brio

CARL NIELSEN String Quartet in G minor, Op. 13 1. Allegro energico 2. Andante amoroso 3. Scherzo: Allegro molto 4. Finale: Allegro (inquieto).

Monday, July 14, 2014, at 19:00 PM Pnevmatiko Kendro (Cultural Center)

LIEDERABEND Featuring songs and arias performed by members of the GREEK OPERA STUDIO

Eilana Lappalainen, General Director, Greek Opera Studio Michael Brownlee Walker, Performance Pianist & Musical preparation Pantelis Polychronidis, Musical preparation

GOS Artists: Kara Bishop, Richard Block, Dangelo Fernando Diaz, Niki Rosa Frei, Camille Ortiz-Lafont, Brianne Matthews, Kailey Miller, Brook Nielsen, Markos Simopoulos, Abigail Snarr, Marilena Striftobola, Danielle Vaillancourt, Diego Alvarez Vilches, Alexander Winn, Brooke Yadon, Yasmin Yitzhak-van der Hal, Vasko Zdravkov Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at 18:00 Apollo Theater (“La piccola scala”) – 150th Anniversary ENSEMBLE MIDTVEST

“One Hour of Chamber Music for Kids - Free Admission” Works to be announced by Zoe Zeniodi

Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at 20:30 Ensemble MidtVest Eilana Lappalainen, Soprano JOSEPH HAYDN Trio in G major Hob. XV: 25 for violin, cello and piano (“Gypsy”) 1. Andante 2. Poco adagio, cantabile 3. Rondo a l’Ongarese: Presto

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART Trio for clarinet, viola and piano in E-flat major K.498 (“Kegelstatt”) 1. Andante 2. Menuetto 3. Rondeaux: Allegretto 12 13 OTTORINO RESPIGHI “Il tramonto” for soprano and string quartet

INTERMISSION

GIANNI SCHICCHI BY

Eilana Lappalainen, Greek Opera Studio General/Artistic Director

Zoe Zeniodi, Conductor David Malis, Stage Director Robin Portune, Pianist

Gianni Schicchi David Malis, Baritone Lauretta Marilena Striftobola, Soprano Zita Yasmin Yitzhak-van der Hal, Contralto Rinuccio Dangelo Fernando Diaz, Tenor Gherardo Anastasios Stellas, Tenor Nella Shayna Jones, Soprano Gherardino Brooke Nielsen, Soprano Betto di Signa Nikolas Karagiaouris, Bass-baritone Simone Richard Block, Bass Marco Diego Alvarez Vilches, Baritone La Ciesca Niki Rosa Frei, Mezzo-soprano Mto. Spinelloccio Vasko Zdravkov, Bass Ser Amantio di Nicolao Alexander Winn, Baritone Pinellino Manos Papadopoulos, Bass Guccio Argiris Vassileiou, Bass Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at 18:00 Apollo Theater (“La piccola scala”) – 150th Anniversary

KENT SANGSTER’S OBSESSIONS OCTET

“One Hour of Jazz for Kids - Free Admission” Works to be announced by Zoe Zeniodi

Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at 20:30

Kent Sangster’s Obsessions Octet at the Apollo Crossing the jazz experience with classical structure All works arranged by Kent Sangster

Kent Sangster, Saxophones/Leader Joanna Ciapka-Sangster, Violin Neda Yamach, Violin 14 Leanne Maitland, Viola 15 Ronda Metszies, Cello John Taylor, Bass Chris Andrew, Piano Owen Howard, Drums

SET ONE KENT SANGSTER In the Moment KENT SANGSTER Reawakening ASTOR PIAZZOLLA Melodia KENT SANGSTER Travels COLE PORTER Love For Sale KENT SANGSTER Song For Bill KENT SANGSTER On the Chase

SET TWO KENT SANGSTER What is Fair KENT SANGSTER Thrones ASTOR PIAZZOLLA Preludio ASTOR PIAZZOLLA Fuga ASTOR PIAZZOLLA Milonga en Re KENT SANGSTER Dulces Suenos KENT SANGSTER On the Sonnyside Thursday, July 17, 2014, at 18:00 Apollo Theater (“La piccola scala”) – 150th Anniversary

DIMITRI VASSILAKIS JAZZ QUARTET

“One Hour of Jazz for Kids - Free Admission” Works to be announced by Zoe Zeniodi

Thursday, July 17, 2014, at 20:30 Dimitri Vassilakis Jazz Quartet at the Apollo Daedalus Project - Across The Universe

Dimitri Vassilakis, Saxes & Vocals Sassa Papalambrou, Piano & Vocals Manos Loutas, Bass George Polyhronakos, Drums

14 15

FRIday, July 18, 2014, at 18:00 Apollo Theater (“La piccola scala”) – 150th Anniversary

STRATOS VOUGAS JAZZ QUARTET

“One Hour of Jazz for Kids - Free Admission” Works to be announced by Zoe Zeniodi

Friday, July 18, 2014, at 20:30 Stratos Vougas Jazz Quartet at the Apollo Works to be announced from the stage

Stratos Vougas, Tenor Saxophone George Kontrafouris, Piano Kimon Karouzos, Bass Dimitris Livadiotis, Drums Saturday, July 19, 2014, at 20:30 Apollo Theater (“La piccola scala”) – 150th Anniversary

GREEK OPERA STUDIO GALA FESTIVAL FINALE Scenes and Arias from Opera, including Donizetti’s Anna Bolena, ; Dvořák’s Rusalka; Leoncavallo’s ; Massenet’s , Mozart’s Così fan tutte, Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Die Zauberflöte, Don Giovanni, Le nozze di Figaro; R. Strauss’ Elektra; Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin; Verdi’s ; Rigoletto

Eilana Lappalainen, General/Artistic Director Dimitris Vezyroglou, Pianist Robin Portune, Apprentice Pianist

OTHER FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES BY THE GREEK OPERA STUDIO

THURSDAY & FRIDAY, JUNE 26 & 27, AT 11:00 Evanthia Kairi 16 Ravel: L’enfant et les sortilèges 17

SATURDAY, JUNE 28, AT 19:30 Della Grazia Festival Kick-Off

SATURDAY, JULY 3, AT 20:00 Megaron Café “Another Opening, Another Show”

FRIDAY, JULY 11, AT 11:30 Pnevmatiko Kendro Composer’s Workshop: Dan Holstrom: Odysseus

SATURDAY, JULY 12, AT 18:30 Pnevmatiko Kendro Friends of the Festival

MONDAY, JULY 14, AT 19:00 Pnevmatiko Kendro Liederabend

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, AT 19:00 Maison de Repos Notre Dame D’Esperance Soloists from Greek Opera Studio GREEK OPERA STUDIO STAFF AND ARTISTS

EILANA LAPPALAINEN General/Artistic Director

ARTISTIC FACULTY Vera Chekanova, Graham Cox, Eleni Davou, Abbie Furmansky, Anooshah Golesorkhi, Daniel Holstrom, Vassilis Kostopoulos, Eilana Lappalainen, Michael Wade Lee, David Malis, Rogelio Riojas-Nolasco, Pantelis Polychronidis, Keith Ikaia-Purdy, Dirk Schattner, Daniel Sutton, Irini Tsirakidis, Maria Vassilopoulou, Michael Brownlee Walker, Zoe Zeniodi and Peter Tiboris

2014 YOUNG ARTISTS Soprano Resident Artist: Camille Ortiz-Lafont, Erica Muller Soprano Apprentice: Brianne Mathews, Brooke Nielsen, Abigail Snarr, Marilena Striftobola

16 Soprano Young Artist: Kara Bishop, Burcu Hanci, Shayna Jones 17 Mezzo Apprentice: Kailey Miller Mezzo Young Artist: Niki Rosa Frei, Danielle Vaillancourt, Brooke Yadon, Yasmin Yitzhak-van der Hal

Tenor Resident Artist: Won Whi Choi Tenor Young Artist: Dangelo Fernando Diaz Baritone Apprentice: Markos Simopoulos Baritone Young Artist: Alexander Winn, Diego Alvarez Vilches, Vasko Zdravkov Bass Young Artist: Richard Block Apprentice Pianist/Conductor: Robin Portune

GOS CHORUS Evie Bairaktari, Maria Fragkogiani, Eleutheria Karamolegkou, Panagiotis Katsaras, Mikaela Leivadara, Katarina Leivadara, Maria Kakavi, Giannis Priovolos, Veroniki Valkondiou, Kostantinos Zervos MEET THE ARTISTS

Peter Tiboris (General, Artistic & Music Director, Conductor), a Greek American, has enjoyed a worldwide career for more than 40 years of which the past 30 have been in New York City as Founder and Artistic Director of MidAmerica Productions, with concerts at Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall and at Lincoln Center. He is the founder of the Manhattan Philharmonic, Elysium Recordings, and the Festival of the Aegean in Syros, Greece. In 2013, he founded MidAm International, Inc. which produces the Festival of the Aegean, concerts in Vienna and , and his new China initiative. Since 1984 in New York City, he has presented more than 1200 concerts worldwide, including 500 in Carnegie Hall, and conducted many of them. He is also Music Director of the Pan-European Philharmonia, in Warsaw, Poland; and Principal Guest Conductor of the Orchestra da Camera Fiorentina. He made his European debut on July 1, 1983, in Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia, with the Moscow Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra as part of the Dubrovnik Festival; and his New York conducting debut on January 7, 1984, with the American Symphony Orchestra at Lincoln Center. Maestro Tiboris has conducted nearly every major choral work as well as countless symphonic works, selected operas, and ballet with distinguished orchestras such as the Royal Philharmonic, Philharmonia, Oxford’s Philomusica, Niedersächsische Orchester Hannover, the and Brno philharmonics, National Opera Orchestra of Cairo, American Symphony Orchestra, Moscow Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra, Société Philharmonique de Montréal, Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon Le-Zion, Orchestra del di Parma, Orchestra del Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, Orchestra 18 19 di Siciliana di Palermo, Teatro Filarmonica di Verona, and Orquesta Symphonica del Estado de Mexico, in more than 20 countries. Peter Tiboris studied music at the University of Wisconsin and received a doctorate from the University of Illinois, but he credits his move to New York City 30 years ago as the most important event in his musical and professional life. He is married to soprano Eilana Lappalainen.

Eilana Lappalainen (Associate Artistic Director, Festival Management, Festival of the Aegean; General and Artistic Director, Greek Opera Studio; Soprano, Turandot, Madama Butterfly, Tosca, Puccini Gala; Tatiana, Eugene Onegin; Il Tramonto), Finnish-Canadian, has performed title roles to critical claim in the world’s premier opera venues including Teatro alla Scala, Opera di Roma, Hamburgische Staatsoper, Deutsche Oper , Opéra de Montréal, Bellas Artes, Trieste, New Israeli Opera, Lithuanian National Opera, Finnish National Opera, Polish National Opera, Opera North, Staatstheater Essen, Prague State Opera, Gran Teatre del Liceu Barcelona, New York City Opera, , San Francisco Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Michigan Opera, Minnesota Opera, Nashville Opera, Kentucky Opera, Portland Opera, Virginia Opera, Opera Hamilton, Opera Ottawa, Marin Opera, Arizona Opera, and Opera San Jose, and in cities such as Wiesbaden, Dessau, Halle, Mannheim, Bremen, Würtzburg, Bielefeld, Liceu, and Winterthur. Her repertoire includes leading roles , Der Rosenkavalier, Arabella, Der Fliegende Holländer, , Fidelio, Peter Grimes, Wozzeck, Der Freischütz, Jenůfa, Giovanna D’Arco, Un ballo in maschera, I masnadieri, , Pagliacci, , Medea, Andrea Chénier, Madama Butterfly, Suor Angelica, , La fanciulla del West, Turandot, and Tosca. At Carnegie Hall, she has sung Verdi’s and Mozart’s Requiems, Zanetto, a recital in Weill Recital Hall, and, most recently, the New York premiere of To Be Afraid of the Dawn. Her recording of Zanetto was released in 2008, and a CD of Mahler songs was released in 2013, both by Elysium Recordings. Grigor Palikarov (Conductor, Symphony Concert; Puccini Gala) graduated from the State Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he studied piano with Krassimir Taskov, choral conducting with Stoyan Kralev, composition with Dimitar Tapkoff, and orchestral conducting with Vassil Kazandjiev. As a pianist, he gave solo recitals in Bulgaria and abroad, performed with orchestras in Sofia and in other Bulgarian cities, recorded for the Bulgarian National Radio with the Sinfonietta Orchestra, and was prize-winner at national and international competitions. Between 1995-96 he conducted the Academic Symphony Orchestra and the Academic Opera Theatre and assisted Nedyalko Nedyalkov at the Sofia Opera (Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore). In 1995 he was appointed conductor and in 1997 chief conductor of the Ensemble of the Bulgarian Army, a post he held until 1999. In 2000, he was appointed as a full-time conductor at the National Opera and Ballet Theatre - Sofia, conducting a variety of repertoire and teaching musical analysis at State Academy of Music and Dance Arts - Plovdiv as an Assistant-Professor. At the beginning of the 2005-06 season, he became general artistic manager and conductor of the Pazardzhik Symphony Orchestra.

Dirk Schattner (Stage Director, Rigoletto; Puccini Gala; GOS Faculty) was an assistant to directors Johannes Felsenstein, Gabriele Rech, Dame Gwyneth Jones, Jonathan Eaton, and Michael Schulz for productions of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle and Der Fliegende Holländer, Verdi’s Giovanna D’Arco, Weill’s Die Bürgschaft, Strauss’ Salome, and several operas by Puccini and Mozart. In recent years he has directed numerous music theater productions in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, and Hungary. His musical play, The Little Matchmaker, was presented in Vienna’s Ronacher in 2011. For Akzent Theatre 18 Vienna and Stage Theatre Kehrwieder , he directed the German premiere of 19 the musical drama Wenn Rosenblätter Fallen, which was given its world premiere in Amsterdam in 2010. From 2003 to 2007 Schattner directed more than 20 operas, musicals, and plays for Deutsches Nationaltheater Weimar, including a dramatic version of Schubert’s Die Schöne Müllerin, a film version of Franz Schmidt’s Das Buch Mit Sieben Siegeln, Offenbach’s Pariser Leben, and Heiner Müller’s Bildbeschreibung with music by . New upcoming debuts in 2015 in New York and Moscow.

John Rutter (Composer, Conductor, Mass of the Children) was born in London in 1945 and received his first musical education as a chorister at Highgate School. He went on to study music at Clare College, Cambridge, where he wrote his first published compositions and conducted his first recording while still a student. His compositional career has embraced large and small-scale choral works, orchestral and instrumental pieces, a piano concerto, two children’s operas, music for television, and specialist writing. His larger choral works, Gloria (1974), Requiem (1985), Magnificat (1990), Psalmfest (1993), and Mass of the Children (2003) have been performed many times in Britain, North America, and in a growing number of other countries. From 1975 to 1979 he was Director of Music at Clare College, whose choir he directed in a number of broadcasts and recordings. After giving up the Clare post to allow more time for composition, he formed the Cambridge Singers as a professional chamber choir primarily dedicated to recording, and he now divides his time between composition and conducting. In 1980 he was made an honorary Fellow of Westminster Choir College, Princeton, and in 1988 a Fellow of the Guild of Church Musicians. In 1996 the Archbishop of Canterbury conferred a Lambeth Doctorate of Music upon him in recognition of his contributions to church music. He was honored in the 2007 Queen’s New Year Honors List, being awarded a CBE for services to music. John Rutter’s music is published by Oxford University Press, Hinshaw Music Inc., and Collegium Music Publications. Zoe Zeniodi (Conductor, Gianni Schicchi; Chorus Director, Puccini Gala; GOS Faculty) is the Head of Music and Assistant Conductor of the Florida Grand Opera, Music Director of the Broward Symphony Orchestra, Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Alhambra Orchestra, and Assistant Conductor of the Palm Beach Symphony, where she also appears as a guest conductor. She has appeared as a guest conductor with the City of Symphony Orchestra, New Philharmonic Orchestra of Florida, Florida Youth Orchestra, and the National Youth Orchestra of Spain (JONDE). Her recent recording of Thomas Sleeper’s “Translucence” with the Brno Philharmonic was released in January 2014, and she is currently preparing to record Sleeper’s solo piano works. She holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts and an Artist Diploma in Orchestra Conducting from the University of Miami (FL), and a Master’s degree and Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance and Accompaniment from the in London and the Mozarteum in Salzburg. During her studies she won all the piano accompaniment prizes at the Royal College of Music where she was named a Junior Fellow in 2003.

David Malis, (Director, Baritone, Gianni Schicchi; Sharpless, Madama Butterfly; Puccini Gala; GOS Faculty), the first American to win the prestigious Cardiff Singer of the World Competition, began his operatic career with the San Francisco Opera, making his debut as Papageno in Die Zauberflöte. He made his in the Parks debut as Belcore in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, in a production that included , Kathleen Battle, and Giuseppe Taddei. This was quickly followed by his Metropolitan Opera main stage debut as Marcello in La bohème. Over the next 20 twelve seasons, Mr. Malis’ leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera included Figaro in Il 21 Barbiere di Siviglia, Harlekin in Ariadne auf , Ned Keene in Peter Grimes, Marcello and Schaunard in La bohème, Dr. Falke in Die Fledermaus, and Papageno in Die Zauberflöte. His interpretation of Ford in Verdi’s has taken him to the Teatro alla Scala, at Covent Garden, the Teatro Colòn in Buenos Aires, the , the Brooklyn Academy of Music, in a command performance attended by Diana, Princess of Wales, and the Thêàtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris. He is currently Director of Opera and Assistant Professor of Voice at the University of Arkansas.

Francis Bardot (Choral Director, Chœur d’enfants d’Île- de-France), began singing at the age of eight. By the time he was 18, he was a tenor soloist at concerts in his native France and abroad, making some 20 recordings for labels including RCA and Deutsche Grammophon. He taught Latin, Greek, French, and philosophy, and at age 24, became a professor at the Catholic Institute of Paris, forming his first children’s chorus, the Boys’ Choir of the World, under the auspices of UNESCO and UNICEF. For the Children’s Chorus and Opera Orchestra of Paris, which he has directed for 23 years, he has developed vocal technique for children and has given master classes in the U.S. and in China. He has also served as Chapel Master of the Cathedral of Chartres for ten years. As the Honorary Director of Cultural Affairs of the Conservatoire Maurice Ravel in Levallois, he works with 320 singers, children, students, and adults, in the choirs that he directs, including Chœur d’enfants d’Île-de-France, Jeune Chœur d’Île-de-France, Ensemble Vocal d’Île-de-France and the Chœur Polyphonique Maurice-Ravel. He is the recipient of the French Légion d’honneur. Jens Huebner (Lighting, Set Designer, Rigoletto) studied stage and costume design in Dresden. He has worked as designer and technical supervisor for more than 40 theater, film, and TV productions in Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, and Greece. He has worked for Anhaltisches Theater Dessau, Stage Musical Theatre Berlin, Stadttheater St. Gallen, Metropoltheater Berlin, Studiobühne Bayreuth, Sächsische Landesbühnen, Bayreuther Festspiele, Caspari Film Productions Düsseldorf, and Studio Berlin Babelsberg. He is the founder and director of Jens Huebner Stage Design. His international clients include Siemens and Deutsche Bank for whom he develops and creates designs for film and theater events.

Stella Kaltsou (Lighting Designer, Puccini Gala; Gianni Schicchi; GOS) was born in Thessaloniki, Greece, and studied stage and lighting design in the theater department of the School of Fine Arts of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She has worked as a lighting designer for the National Theatre of North Greece, Theatre Epi Kolono, and in a great number of theatrical, musical, and dance performances at the , Onassis Cultural Centre, Badminton Theatre, Cacoyannis Foundation, and Thessaloniki Concert Hall. Since 2011, she has collaborated with George Tellos and Lighting Art.

Richard Block (Bass, Michailovsky Theater in 2007 as Violetta in Simone, Gianni Verdi’s La traviata. She has also appeared 20 Schicchi; GOS Young as the Countess in Mozart’s Le nozze di 21 Artist) completed his Figaro and Micaela in Bizet’s . She Master’s degree in vocal won Third Prize in the Francisco Vinas performance at the Competition and Second Prize in the University of Georgia in Montserrat Caballé Competition, both 2012. His most recent roles include Betto in Spain. She is an instructor in the Solo in Gianni Schicchi (Opera Idaho), Zuniga in Singing Department of the Herzen State Bizet’s Carmen, Coppélius and Miracle in Pedagogical University in Saint Petersburg. Offenbach’s Les contes d’Hoffmann (UGA), and Oreste in Cavalli’s Il Giasone, and Pan Won Whi Choi, (Tenor, in Offenbach’s Daphnis et Chloë (OAC). Matteo Borsa, Rigoletto; Richard studies with Sheri Greenawald and Puccini Gala; Rodolfo, César Ulloa in San Francisco. La bohème; GOS Resident Artist) has Vera Chekanova performed Alfredo in La (Soprano, Gilda, traviata and Chevalier Rigoletto; Puccini in Dialogues of the Carmelites with Mannes Gala; Musetta, Opera, and Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus La bohème; GOS with the Martina Arroyo Foundation and Faculty), a native of the Korean National University of Arts Leningrad, graduated Opera Theater. As a professional fellow from the Precentor Department of the at the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, Church Academy and Seminary of he performed Don Jose in The Tragedy Saint Petersburg, Russia. In 2008, she of Carmen and Le théière in L’Enfant et graduated from the Rimsky-Korsakov les sortlèges. He also sang the title role Saint Petersburg State Conservatory with of Les Contes d’Hoffmann with Prelude a concentration in vocal arts. She made to Performance. He holds a Professional her operatic debut at the Saint Petersburg Studies Diploma and a Master’s degree from Mannes College of Music and a auspices of the Romanza Association. He Bachelor of Music degree from the Korean also performed several televised concerts at National University of the Arts. the Cathedral in Lima. With the Peru Youth Opera, he sang in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. Graham Cox (Principal He won the Radio Philharmonic National Pianist, Rigoletto; GOS Competition and the “Voces del Mundo” Faculty) studied piano, competition in the category “Best Interpreter organ, and harpsichord of Peruvian Concert Music.” Additionally, at Melbourne University, he was first place winner of the Schola continuing his studies Cantorum National Singing Competition. in Europe. From 1998 to 2004 he worked as répétiteur at the Bruce Dickerson (Choir Deutsche Opera Berlin and as a pianist, Director, The Barstow harpsichordist, and organist at various School Chamber Berlin orchestras. As guest conductor he led Singers, Kansas City, concerts with the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin MO) holds a Bachelor’s and with the Berliner Symphoniker. As jazz degree and Master’s pianist he played regularly in Kreuzberg degree in music at “Le Cochon Bourgeois.” From 2004- education from the University of Illinois 08 he was head of the music staff at the at Urbana-Champaign, and is in his 35th Nuremberg State Theater, and since 2005, year of teaching music. He has performed he has worked with the Bamberg Symphony as a member of Musica Vocale and the Orchestra as a keyboarder. In Berlin, he KC Symphony Chorus and is a member of often coaches and mentors young singers. ACDA and NAfME. He is a board member for the Missouri Alliance of Arts Education, Eleni Davou (Mezzo- Music/Arts Institute, and a grant reader for the Missouri Arts Council. He served as 22 soprano, Maddalena, 23 Rigoletto; GOS President of the Missouri Choral Directors Faculty) was born in Association and the Kansas City Metro , Greece. She District 3 of the Missouri Music Educators studied piano and Association. monody at the Greek Conservatory of Athens. Since 1996 she Ensemble MidtVest has performed as a soloist with the Greek (Herning, Denmark), National Opera, appearing in numerous Ensemble MidtVest’s operas and operettas. She has also eleven players are performed with Athens Radio Symphony classically trained Orchestra, the Orchestra of Colors, the musicians, all of Chamber Orchestra of GNO, Chamber whom specialize in Opera of Athens, and the – chamber music. The performers have Epidavros and Herodio. She has performed won numerous prizes in international in two modern operas, Antigone and Opus chamber music competitions, and all Elgin, at the Athens Megaron. Currently, are educated at leading European music she teaches monody at the National academies. Founded in 2002, Ensemble Conservatory of Piraeus. MidtVest consists of a string quartet, a wind quintet, and a pianist. Based in Dangelo Fernando Herning, Denmark, Ensemble MidtVest Diaz (Tenor, Rinuccio, resides at HEART – Herning Museum of Gianni Schicchi; Puccini Contemporary Art, a venue designed by Gala; Sciarrone, Tosca; the American architect Steven Holl. The GOS Young Artist) museum houses Ensemble MidtVest’s studied at the Carlos own chamber music hall and rehearsal Valderrama National spaces. Ensemble MidtVest performs more Conservatory of Trujillo, Peru. At the age of than 80 concerts every year in Denmark 20 he performed several operas under the and abroad and has appeared in Sweden, Norway, Germany, Poland, Italy, Great Abbie Furmansky Britain, and the USA. In 2012, Ensemble (GOS Faculty) came to MidtVest made its debut at Weill Recital prominence in Europe Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York, returning where she was an in 2014. Each summer, Ensemble MidtVest ensemble member at concludes its concert season at Tivoli’s the Deutsche Oper Concert Hall in Copenhagen, participating Berlin. Since then, she in the Tivoli Festival of classical music. has appeared throughout Europe and the U.S. Ensemble MidtVest is supported financially with opera companies including New York City by the music committee of the Danish Opera and the Canadian Opera Company. Arts Council and by the four municipalities Recent concert performances have taken her of Herning, Holstebro, Ikast-Brande, and to the Philharmonie in Berlin, Lucerne Festival Struer. with the Washington National Opera, Los Angeles Opera, the opera companies of Munich W. Patrick Flannagan and Frankfurt, and the Singapore Symphony (Choral Director, King Orchestra. Ms. Furmansky maintains a private University Symphonic vocal studio and is a faculty member of the Choir, Bristol, TN) is IVAI summer program in Tel Aviv. She makes in his 31st year on the her home in Berlin, where she lives with her son faculty at King College Joshua, and her husband, the composer and where he teaches music pianist Daniel Sutton. history, conducting, musicology, choir, and voice. He is also the Anooshah Golesorkhi founding conductor of the Voices of the (Baritone, Rigoletto title Mountains. A native of Bristol, Flannagan role; Scarpia, Tosca, earned a B.A. in psychology from King Puccini Gala; GOS College, a B.Mus. in church music and Faculty) has performed 22 23 an M.M. in choral conducting from at the Metropolitan Westminster Choir College, and a Ph.D. in Opera as Amonasro musicology from The Catholic University in and Alfio in Cavalleria rusticana, of America. Under his leadership, the King San Francisco Opera as Shaklovity in College Choir has toured extensively in the Khovanshchina, and the title role in Arshak U.S., Scotland, and England, including four II, and the Opera Orchestra of New York as performances at Carnegie Hall. In 2010, Michonnet in Adriana Lecouvreur, Barnaba in he and 20 students participated in the , and Ezio in Attila, all at Carnegie Festival of the Aegean. Hall. He has appeared in Europe with the , and Rome Opera, and Niki Rosa Frei, (Mezzo- in Germany, Greece, France, Italy, Norway, soprano, Giovanna, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, Poland, and Rigoletto; La Ciesca, Great Britain. A resident of Munich, Germany, Gianni Schicchi; GOS he is of Persian descent and a native of Young Artist) was born southern California, where he received his and raised in Athens, Bachelor’s degree in music composition. Greece. In addition to her studies in chemistry and biochemistry Keith Ikaia-Purdy at the University of Patras, she received (Tenor, Pinkerton, a degree in classical singing and drama Madama Butterfly, from the National Conservatory of Greece. Puccini Gala; GOS She has worked as a teacher and artist, Faculty), from Hawaii, performing in Athens and Patras, as well has performed as Urbino, Italy. Her repertoire varies leading roles at the from the Baroque era to contemporary Metropolitan Opera, Covent Garden, La and traditional music. Currently, she is Scala, Teatro Colon, Deutsche Opera continuing her studies in classical music Berlin, Linden Opera Berlin, Bavarian synthesis. State Opera, and the Royal Operas of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. In nearly Nikolas Karagiaouris two decades with the Vienna State Opera, (Bass-baritone, Count he has performed more than 270 times. Ceprano, Rigoletto; Symphonic appearances include the Israel Marcello, La bohème; Philharmonic (Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis), Puccini Gala; Betto Di Concertgebouw Orchestra (Verdi’s Signia, Gianni Schicchi) Requiem), and the Vienna Symphony (Das is a native of Patras, Lied von der Erde). His recording of Berlioz’s Greece. From 2000-07, he studied theater Requiem with the Dresdner Staatskapelle and voice at the National Conservatory under Sir Colin Davis received the 2007 in Athens. Between 2004 and 2010, he ECHO Classics Award in Germany for Best won various prizes in competitions held in Performance of the Year. Athens, Thessaloniki, and Salonika, including a scholarship from “Karras Athena” of Shayna Jones (Soprano, the Greek Union to attend a program in Nella, Gianni Schicchi; Bayreuth, Germany. His roles include Zeus GOS Young Artist) hails in Offenbach’s Orfeo aux enfers, the priest in from the United States. Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, the monk in Verdi’s Recently, she performed , Frank in Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, the role of Victoria in Escamillo in Bizet’s Carmen, Germont in the premiere of House Verdi’s La traviata, and Conte Robinson in Rules and excerpts from the role of Amelia Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel. in Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera. Last fall, she performed the role of Mère Marie in Poulenc’s Vassilis Kostopoulos Dialogues des Carmelites at the Baltimore (Bass, Sparafucile, Lyric Opera House. Her international Rigoletto; Colline, La experience includes the role of Marcellina bohème, Puccini Gala; in Le nozze di Figaro in Canada with the GOS Faculty) hails from 24 25 Vancouver Summer Opera Studio, and the Athens, Greece. After role of First Lady in Die Zauberflöte with the finishing studies at Tuscia Opera Festival in Italy. She attends the Hellenic Conservatory, he received full The Peabody Conservatory and studies with scholarship to the Stanley Cornett. in London. Upon graduation, he received the rarely-presented Diploma of the Royal Michalis Kalaentzis Academy of Music for his outstanding (Choral Director, performance. The following year, as a scholar Municipal Choir of of the Friends of Covent Garden—Royal Rhodes), a native of Opera House, he became a member of the Rhodes, moved to National Opera Studio in London, receiving Athens in 1988 to support from the Onassis Foundation. He has study at the National performed with the Glyndebourne Festival Conservatory. He was a member of the Opera, Bangkok Opera, Greek National Greek Radio & Television Choir which Opera, Welsh National Opera, Athens participated in productions in Greece and Megaron, Thessaloniki Megaron, Anghiari abroad. He also worked in the National Festival, Berbigueres Festival, Oxford City Symphony Orchestra of Greek Radio and Opera, and the Opera of Thessaloniki. the Athens Symphony Orchestra as a viola performer. In 1999 he was appointed Michael Wade Lee to the of Rhodes where he (Tenor, Duke of Mantua, teaches and conducts the choir, and in Rigoletto; Cavaradossi, 2000, he became the artistic director of Tosca & Calaf, the Mixed Choir of Rhodes. He is a member Turandot, Puccini Gala; of the Greek Society for Music Education GOS Faculty) made and served as board member of the his international debut organization for cultural development of in 2007 with the as the Prefecture of Dodecanese. Don José in Carmen. During the upcoming season, he will sing Calaf in Turandot at Jane DeLoach Morison Aalto Theater, Essen, Germany; Don José (Choral Director, in with Theater Osnabrück; and Alfredo Highlands Youth in La traviata with Boston Lyric Opera. In Ensemble, Bristol, TN) addition to the GNO, he has performed is Artistic Director of with Staatstheater Mainz (DE); Lyric Opera the Mountain Empire Productions (IE); Royal Opera House at Children’s Choral Covent Garden, Glyndebourne Opera Academy. She received her BME from East Festival, and Opera North (UK); Musica Tennessee State University and her MM in Viva (Hong Kong); San Francisco Opera, piano from the University of North Carolina San Antonio Opera, New York City Opera, at Greensboro. She has also studied at Opera Theatre of St Louis, Wichita Grand L’académie de musique de Sion, Switzerland. Opera, Chautauqua Opera, and El Paso Ms. Morison serves on the faculties of King Opera (USA). University, Virginia Suzuki Institute, ETSU Piano Camp, and Barter Theatre Youth Thomas Louziotis Academy, and is a member of the American (Choral Director, Choir Choral Directors Association and the Synchroni Ekfrasi) Organization of American Kodály Educators. was born in Athens. She holds permanent national certification He studied economics with the Music Teachers National Association. at Athens University She has been honored by Minds Wide Open: as well as music. He Virginia Celebrates Women in the Arts. is president and conductor of the choir Synchroni Ekfrasi, conductor of the Erica Muller (Soprano, Scientists’ Choir of Philothei, and conductor Mimi, La bohème, of the Choir of the Artistic Society of Nea Puccini Gala; GOS Makri. He attended seminars on choral Resident Artist) received 24 25 conducting in Greece and abroad, and her bachelor’s and he has arranged Greek and international master’s degrees from songs for mixed choir and children’s choir, the University of Illinois, as well as religious hymns for men’s and and her doctoral degree from Indiana mixed choir. He has also composed religious University in 2008. She is the recipient of music for mixed choir. In 2013, he became several scholarships and awards since 2002, President of the Board of Directors of the including Indiana University Music Merit Hellenic Choirs Association. Award; Semi-Finalist, Elardo Competition; Semi-Finalist, Bel Canto Competition; Kailey Miller (Mezzo- and Finalist, Metropolitan Opera National soprano, A Page, Council Auditions. Her performances have Rigoletto July 9th; included Donna Anna in Don Giovanni with GOS Apprentice), Lyric Opera Studio Weimar, Marguerite in is a senior at the with Brussels Light Opera Company, University of Arkansas Countess in Le nozze di Figaro with the in Fayetteville, Intermezzo Foundation, and Marguerite with studying vocal music education and Regina Opera Company. music composition. She has been a part of the opera theater program at the Carol Nelson (Choral university since her sophomore year. She Director, Heart of the has performed scenes as Cherubino in Le Valley Children’s Choir, nozze di Figaro, Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Corvallis, OR) is the Smeton in Anna Bolena, the title role of La Founder and Artistic Périchole, Mercedes in Carmen, and the Director of the Heart title role of La Cenerentola. She is planning of the Valley Children’s pursue a master’s degree of music in opera Choirs. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s and music composition after she receives degree in music education from the University her undergraduate degrees. of Oregon and a certificate from the VoiceCare Network. She was a music specialist for Dimitris Papatheodorou Corvallis Public Schools for 35 years and is (Choral Director, Choir on the staff of MusicEdVentures Research of Syros Musical Club) Group. She has presented workshops in choral was born in Athens, methods for OMEA, ACDA, MusicEdVentures, Greece. He received Chinese National Choral Directors (Tianjin a scholarship from University), Butler University, and has directed Onassis Foundation choral festivals in the state of Oregon. to study in Amsterdam at the Sweelink Conservatory, followed by a second Brooke Nielsen scholarship from the same foundation, (Soprano, Gherardino, along with a private grant from the Gianni Schicchi; GOS Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis, to Apprentice) started study at the Manhattan School of Music studying voice at the with Byron Janis. He was awarded the age of eight. Brooke Spyros Motsenigos Prize by the Athens performed many roles Academy, an award given by the President in musical theater, including Cosette in of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Les Miserables, Anita in West Side Story, Stephanopoulos. Through the Ministry of Bloody Mary in South Pacific, and Annie Foreign Affairs, he represented Greece at in Annie Get Your Gun. She earned an the cultural events at the Olympic games Associate’s degree in music from Brigham in Athens in 2004. He has been the Director Young University. Since moving into opera, of M.O.S for the last decade. she has had the opportunity to study roles such as Frasquita in Carmen, Marie in La Pantelis Polychronidis fille du régiment, Norina in Don Pasquale, (Pianist, GOS Faculty) and Alice in Falstaff. She will receive a performs regularly Bachelor’s degree in vocal performance in both the U.S. 26 27 from Utah Valley University in 2015. and Europe. He is Senior Lecturer at Camille Ortiz-Lafont the University for (Soprano, Soloist, Music and Performing Arts in Vienna and Mass of the Children; also teaches at Vienna Konservatorium GOS Resident Artist), and at the Institut for the International a native of Vega Education of Students (IES). He received Baja, Puerto Rico, his Bachelor’s degree in musical studies completed her Master’s from the University of Athens and his degree at Manhattan School of Music. M.A. in solo piano and collaborative piano She has performed Lucia in The Rape from Bowling Green State University, of Lucretia at the Manhattan School of Ohio. He also studied with Martin Katz at Music, Blondchen in Die Entführung aus the University of Michigan where he was dem Serail for the Martina Arroyo Role awarded his Doctorate of Musical Arts Class, and Oscar in Un ballo in maschera (DMA) in collaborative piano. for Prelude to Performance. Ms. Ortiz- Lafont is the winner of the Gerda Lissner Robin Portune (Pianist, Foundation Encouragement Award and Gianni Schicchi; GOS a finalist in both the lieder division of the Apprentice pianist/ Liederkranz Competition and the Sergei conductor) was born and Olga Koussevitzky Young Artists in 1992 in Germany Competition. This fall she will begin studies and began his musical for a Doctorate of musical arts in voice studies with recorder, performance at the University of North piano and oboe. He was a prize-winning Texas in Denton. pianist in the German youth competition “Jugend Musiziert”, and toured as an oboist to Uruguay, Estonia, France, Hungary, and the USA. He started his career as a conductor at the age of 17. Since 2013 he Rogelio Riojas-Nolasco has been studying at the Hochschule für (Assistant Conductor, Musik und Theater Rostock. Rigoletto; Festival Pianist; GOS Faculty) Maria Prinz (Pianist) has began his career as performed with leading a conductor with orchestras throughout Da Corneto Opera Europe, including the Chicago, where he conducted Mignon and , La favorita. He was invited to conduct Il collaborating with barbiere di Siviglia with the Izmir State at the Opera and the Shaker Mountain Festival, Salzburg Festival, Seiji Ozawa in Vienna, and New York. He also conducted Rigoletto, Neville Marriner in Bulgaria. As a recitalist, , Faust, Così fan tutte, and Don she has appeared in the U.S., Europe, and Giovanni. At the Teatro Lirico Andaluz, he Japan. Her chamber music collaborations conducted the zarzuela Katiuska, and at include performances with members of the the Stuttgart State Opera, El Barberillo de Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, including Lavapiés in a production by Calixto Bieto. the flautists Dieter Flury and Wolfgang Also as a guest conductor, he appeared Schulz, and clarinetists Alfred Prinz and with the Compañia Nacional de Ópera de Peter Schmidt. Recently, she has scheduled Bellas Artes and the Orquesta Filarmonica extensive concert and recording projects with de Sonora in Mexico. French flutist Patrick Gallois in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York, the Purcell Renato Ripo (Cellist) Room at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, was born in Tirana, and at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena. Albania, where he began Their Naxos CD with Mozart Violin sonatas studying the cello at age arranged for flute by Patrick Gallois, was six. At 14 he gave his first 26 27 acclaimed by the press. Ms. Prinz studied at solo performance. He the Music University “Hanns Eisler” in Berlin continued his studies with Rudolf Dunckel, in Vienna with Jörg at the Conservatoire Nationale Superieur Demus, and in Paris with Yvonne Lefébure. de la Musique de Paris and graduated in In addition to her performing career, she 1987. After his studies, he was appointed has taught at the University of Music and professor at the Musical Academy of Tirana. Performing Arts in Vienna since 1987. He has performed widely with numerous orchestras including RAI Orchestra, Bangkok Marina Rechkalova Symphony, Philharmonic Orchestra of (Choral Director, Albania, and the National Orchestras of Choir Of Filarmoniki Paris, Athens, Thessalonica, and Cyprus Conservatory Of throughout Europe and Asia. Since 1991, he Patras), born in Russia, has held the principal cello position of the studied piano and Megaron Orchestra and Camerata of the choral conducting Friends of Music. He has made numerous at the art school of Irbit. She continued CD recordings. Currently, he is a professor of her musical studies at the College of cello at the Athens Conservatoire. Asbest from which she received a diploma in choral conducting, ensemble, and Kent Sangster’s teaching. She also received a diploma from Obsessions Octet Gnesins Russian Academy in Moscow. Her (Edmonton, Alberta, career has included working with church, Canada) was founded children’s, and student choirs as a teacher in 2005 by Kent of music and as a professor of theory Sangster and his and musical ensembles. She founded wife Joanna Ciapka- and directs the Vocal Ensemble of the Sangster, a classically trained violinist, Philharmonic Conservatory of Patras. out of their desire to make music together. The Octet’s distinctive sound is a blend of classical, Latin, and jazz elements, as students, including the Orff, Kodály, performed in works by Astor Piazzolla, and Willems methods. In 2001 she Chucho Valdez, Cole Porter, and Kent established and conducted the women’s Sangster. The ensemble consists of two vocal group “ECHO.” She has collaborated quartets: a classical string quartet and with the stringed instrument orchestra a jazz quartet (sax, piano, bass, drums). of the municipality of Patras for concerts Their repertoire, spanning chamber to throughout Europe. She has conducted the jazz, leaves room for improvisation. Eptanision () Choir of Patras Although the ensemble’s members since 2004. come from different parts of the world, all of them live in Edmonton. Members Valentin Stefanov of the string quartet belong to the (Choral Director, Choir Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Alberta of Lykeion Ellinidon Baroque Ensemble, and other groups Ioanninon), a native of as chamber musicians or soloists, and Bulgaria, studied piano they are featured on various recordings. at the Music School Additionally, they are educators involved of Rousse (Bulgaria), in the community. The jazz musicians have and was conductor of the Music Theatre received several awards and are successful of Sofia, director of the Academic Choir of leaders of their own projects. Sofia, and professor of music at the Drama and Music Academy, also in Sofia. He has Markos Simopoulos served as artistic director of the Choral (Baritone, A Court Society Armonia of Preveza since 1990, Usher, Rigoletto; GOS artistic director of the choir of the Lykion Apprentice), from Ellinidon in Ioannina since 1994, and Chapel Hill, NC, studies director of the choir of the Music Society vocal performance at Orpheus of Agrinio since 1998. 28 29 Oberlin Conservatory. In 2012 and 2013 he attended Oberlin’s Aneliya Stefanova study abroad program in Italy. He attended (Choral Director, Youth the Boston University Tanglewood Institute and Children’s Choirs Young Artist Vocal Program where he Armonia of Preveza) sang the roles of Bob in scenes from The was born in Kazanlak, Old Maid and the Thief and Balthazar in Bulgaria. While a Amahl and the Night Visitors. With North student, she was a Carolina Opera he appeared in productions member of the children’s choir Iskra, which of Carmen, Faust, and Tosca. He won took part in international competitions and first place at the North Carolina NATS festivals. From 1982-86, she studied at competition and received superior scores the Highest Musical Pedagogical Academy at NC-NATS auditions and NATS Mid- of Plovdiv, from which she graduated Atlantic Regionals. with a degree in music and theory. She began working at the Todor Juliev School in Lena Sourmeli (Choral Kazanlak in 1987, establishing the school’s Director, Choir of first choral music program. She received Eptanisii of Patris), her Master’s degree in 1990 and became a native of Patras, an Assistant Professor, specializing in studied musicology the methodology of music education, at the University of and conducting the children’s choir of Athens and works as Kazanlak. She has lived and worked in a music teacher. As a choir member and Greece since 1994 as conductor of several soloist, she has taken part in concerts children’s choirs. around Greece and in England, France, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Turkey, Spain, the U.S., and Japan. She has studied various systems of teaching young Anastasios Stellas School as a scholarship student of Josef (Tenor, Goro, Madama Raieff and teaching assistant. While Butterfly, Puccini at Juilliard he debuted as a composer Gala; Gherardo, Gianni of chamber works, including Homage Schicchi), a native of to Machaut, The Magic Theatre, and Athens, began piano Golden Pears of the Earth. He received his and Byzantine music doctorate from the Manhattan School of studies at an early age. He completed his Music in 1995. training in classical and contemporary singing at the Ioanna Sygkelaki Sotiris Triantis Conservatory. Since then, he has attended (Baritone, Count vocal seminars and master classes in Monterone, Greece and abroad and studied with major Rigoletto) was born soloists in Greece and the U.S. at Boston in , Greece, University. He has participated in L’italiana where he studied in Algeri and Die Zauberflöte productions the clarinet at the at the Megaron Music Hall in Athens. He “Mantzaros Philharmonic” and the Corfu is the founder and the general manager Conservatoire. He played clarinet with of the Greek company OPERA NEON, Corfu’s Municipal Symphonic Orchestra, organizing alternative and low-budget Symphonic Orchestra of , opera productions. as well as the Orchestra of the University of Bologna, Italy. He has also studied Marilena Striftobola singing with Rosa Poulimenou and Tassos (Soprano, Lauretta, Apostolou in Athens and drama at the Gianni Schicchi; GOS Athens Conservatoire. He was a member of Apprentice), a native the Choral Group, Camerata Vocalis, and of Athens, completed currently he performs with experimental 28 29 her singing studies with opera groups. Additionally, he is a guest soprano Martha Arapis. soloist with the choral group ‘’Athens She made her Greek National Opera debut Singers.” in 2013 in Nikos Kypourgos’ opera, “Beware! The Prince is Messy,” and performed in Irini Tsirakidis (GOS 2014 in Verdi’s conducted by Faculty) was born in and directed by Lorenzo Wiesbaden, Germany, Mariani. She has also participated in various and was raised in master classes with such sopranos as Piraeus, Greece. She Marlis Petersen, , Jeannette is a winner of several Pilou, and Myrsini Margariti. She is currently competitions including studying musicology at the University of the Competition in Athens Athens, having completed her piano studies and the Aragall Competition in Spain. in June 2014. Her professional debut was at the Greek National Opera in Athens as Amelia Daniel Sutton in Simone Boccanegra. She has also (GOS Faculty) has performed major roles at La Scala (title written more than 30 role of Iphigenie en Aulide) and Covent symphonic, chamber, Garden (Countess in Le nozze di Figaro). solo, and vocal works. Her career has taken her to Barcelona, Also, a pianist, he Carnegie Hall, Bilbao, Rome, Santiago, regularly performs his Bologna, Dallas, Washington, Milwaukee, own piano works as well as works of the Minnesota, Strasbourg, Amsterdam, and standard repertoire. He made his Carnegie St. Petersburg. Hall debut at Weill Recital Hall in 1996, and has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, vocal accompanist, and soloist with orchestras. He attended The Juilliard Danielle Vaillancourt Syros from 1997-2010. Since 2010, she (Mezzo-soprano, has worked as a freelance teacher and Countess Ceprano, interpreter for European training programs. Rigoletto; GOS Young Artist), from Dimitris Vezyroglou Canada, studied at (Pianist, Festival; the Conservatoire de GOS Faculty) a native Musique de Montréal. She has performed of Athens, studied several roles in productions of Le nozze piano at the Athens di Figaro and La Périchole with the Opera Conservatory with Studio of the Conservatoire de Musique de Maria Chairogiorgou- Montréal. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s Sigara, graduating with distinction. He degree in music and media management at also studied in Paris for four years and at the H.E.C. (Hautes Études Commerciales). In the National Moscow Conservatory “P.I. addition to her role in Rigoletto and the title Tchaikovsky.” As a soloist on piano and role of L’enfant et les Sortilèges with Greek celesta, he has performed symphonic Opera Studio, she will participate in the CVAI music ranging from early Baroque to (Canadian Vocal Arts Institute) directed by contemporary works with the Athens State Joan Dornemann in Montréal. Orchestra, the Symphonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Athens, the Orchestra Dimitri Vassilakis of Colors, the Athens Camerata, and the (Saxophonist and orchestra of the Greek National Opera. Composer) is a native He has taught piano at the Athens of Athens. With a Conservatory and elsewhere since 2003, scholarship from the and also works as a private coach for Onassis Foundation, singers, musicians, and actors. he studied saxophone, 30 31 piano, and composition at the London College Diego Alvarez Vilches of Music, also receiving a diploma in classical (Baritone, Schaunard, saxophone. He continued his studies at the La bohème, Puccini Royal Academy of Music, from which he Gala; Marco, Gianni received an LRAM diploma in jazz teaching. As Schicchi; GOS Young a key member of the International Association Artist), born in Santiago, of Schools of Jazz and a representative Chile, began his musical for Greece, he has traveled extensively, studies in 2006, continuing with the baritone performing at festivals and conducting Pablo Oyanedel. He has participated in workshops in the U.S., England, France, various choirs, including the Choir UC, Germany, Spain, Ireland, and the Balkans. Choir UAH, and the Choir of the Municipal He has taught at Ph. Nakas Conservatory Theater of Santiago. He made his operatic and in the music departments of the Athens, debut in 2011 at the Theater Diego Rivera Aristotle and Macedonia Universities as a singing Figaro in Le nozze di Figaro. He lecturer, while completing a Ph.D. also performed Belcore in L’elisir d’amore, Guglielmo in Così fan tutte, Marco in Gianni Maria Vassilopoulos Schicchi, and Marcelo in La bohème. (GOS Italian language classes) studied Italian Stratos Vougas language and culture (Saxophonist) was born at the University of in Athens. He began Perugia in Italy and studying classical piano received her Diploma at age five, eventually in Teaching Italian as a foreign language in turning to jazz and 1994. She obtained a degree in European the saxophone. From culture from the Open University of Greece 1993-1995, he lived in New York, where he and taught Italian at a private language collaborated with a handful of established school in Athens from 1994-97 and in jazz musicians. On his return to Greece, he performed in concerts in Athens jazz Brooke Yadon (Mezzo- clubs and throughout the country. His first soprano, A Page, Rigoletto recording, in 1998, titled Stratos Vougas July 6th & 11th; GOS Young Quartet: Breaking Loose, was released on Artist) was born in Utah. MBI Records. His recording, Stratos Vougas She is a junior in the Vocal Quartet: A Tribute to Hank Mobley, pays Performance program homage to the saxophone legend. The CD at Utah Valley University features the American drummer Vincent and was the only UVU student cast with the Ector, who visited Greece for the sole Utah Opera Chorus to perform in La Traviata purpose of making the recording. and Turandot with them. She has performed roles such as Hänsel in Hansel und Gretel, Michael Brownlee Angelina in La Cenerentola, Carmen in Carmen, Walker (Liederabend and Dorabella in Cosi Fan Tutte. She advanced pianist; GOS Faculty) into the Classical Singer Competition finals in was born and educated Boston, and won the Concerto Competition in Zimbabwe and held at Utah Valley University. She will graduate moved to the United with her Bachelors of Music in Spring 2015. Kingdom at the age of 19 to study with British pianist and Liszt Yasmin Yitzhak-van der specialist, Leslie Howard. The following Hal (Mezzo-soprano, year he won an ABRSM scholarship to Zita, Gianni Schicchi; study solo piano performance at the Royal GOS Young Artist), Northern College of Music in Manchester. a native of Israel, is Recent highlights include the world currently studying voice premieres of John McCabe’s song cycle with Yael Levita. She Heloise to Abelard and Leslie Howard’s The has performed in Philharmonia Singers, Owl and the Pussycat. His first solo piano Collegium Tel Aviv, and Carmel A-Cappella, 30 31 recording, recorded at the Athens Megaron, and participated in several master classes. Serenata: A Collection of Spanish Piano She also studied conducting at the Tel Music, is currently in production. Aviv and Jerusalem Academies, and received scholarships from the AICF for her Alexander Winn achievements. She has conducted children’s (Baritone, Alcindoro, La choirs in Israel and professional choirs such bohème, Puccini Gala; as the Philharmonia Singers. Ser Amantio di Nicolao, Gianni Schicchi; GOS Vasko Zdravkov Young Artist), a native (Baritone, Marullo, Texan, lives and works Rigoletto; Soloist, Mass in Germany. For the last three years, of the Children; Puccini he has been a member of the ensemble Gala; Mto. Spinelloccio, Opera et Cetera and performs regularly in Gianni Schicchi; GOS the Rheingau region of Germany. He has Young Artist), from appeared worldwide with companies such Radovis, Macedonia. During high school as the Frankfurt Kammeroper, Amarillo he began to study singing and less than Opera Company, Opera Classica Europa, six months later he entered a state Opera Fort Collins, and Loveland Opera competition for solo singing, which awarded Theatre. Before moving to Germany, him a special first place. He also entered he studied at Amarillo College and the international competitions, winning first and University of Northern Colorado. He second place. After high school, he studied currently studies with Keith Ikaia-Purdy. at the Faculty of Music Arts in Skopje with Slavica Galic Petrovska, graduating in 2012 and finishing post-graduate studies a year later. Since then, he has performed in concerts with the Macedonian Opera and Ballet and Theater an der Wien. PAZARDZHIK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, BULGARIA

Grigor Palikarov, Music Director and Conductor

Violin I Clarinet Krasimira Zhelyazkova Paurova, Yordan Michev Radevski Concertmaster Mihail Hristov Mihailov Viktoria Angelova Karidova Borislava Rumenova Vasileva Bassoon Evgenya Georgieva Palazova Hristo Yordanov Zahariev Olga Mihailova Garkushina Rayna Metodieva Mincheva Slavka Lazarova Slavcheva-Rusinova Horn Ivelina Tsvyatkova Hristova-Stefanova Dimitar Aleksandrov Kirilov Georgi Krastev Shterev Gabriela Tsvetanova Kostova Petya Stoyanova Kovacheva Stefan Iliev Markov Violin II Ivan Nedelchev Nedelchev Milena Ivanova Indzhova-Staleva Trumpet Yulia Ivanova Zdravkova Petar Krumov Yankov 32 Teodora Smilenova Sherbetova Radko Krumov Aleksiev 33 Lilia Nestorova Markova Irina Nikolova Atanasova Trombone Nikola Momchev Ajanasov Aleksandar Dimitrov Malamski Krasimira Dimitrova Stoycheva Vladimir Konstantinov Slavchev Ivan Mario Melin Viola Mitko Stoyanov Chikchev Tuba Iliana Georgieva Pancheva Tsenko Mario Melin Veronika Lazarova Slavcheva-Dudova Timpani Stanislav Radkov Rupov Velislav Ventsislavov Godzhunov Tatyana Danielova Filipova Percussion Violoncello Bozhana Ivanova Yurgandzhieva Boris Yulianov Radilov Tanya Petrova Stoimenova Harp Marina Nikolova Georgieva Vaklina Kirilova Raycheva Veselina Emilova Borisova Sofia Nedeva Radilova Guest organist Laurent Jochum, Paris, France Double bass Tsvetelina Todorova Stefanova Special Guests from the Talin Takvor Duraliyska Brussels National Opera Orchestra Hristo Yordanov Kisimov Saartje Kemps, Oboe Jan Van Den Ecker, Bass Clarinet Flute Lisa Verhoeven, Trumpet Tsveta Zhivkova Palikarova Jan Dries, Percussion Trifon Nikolov Trifonov Paul Moreau, Percussion Anzhela Angelova Komsiyska Artist from Athens Oboe Ageliki Lapaki, Percussion Marian Krastev Georgiev Evgeniy Georgiev Gyunov PARTICIPATING CHOIRS

FROM THE U.S.A. Barstow School Chamber Singers, Kansas City, MO Bruce L. Dickerson, Choral Director Soprano: Sarah Epstein, Clara Wencker Alto: Eilana Abbas, Isabel Lloyd Tenor: Ben Abbas Bass: Jonah Elyachar

Heart of the Valley Children’s Choir, Corvallis, OR Carol Nelson, Choral Director Lucy Watts, Accompanist Soprano: Werner Austin, Kate Breitling, Ellen Buford, Kellen Callaghan, Eva Dod, Caoilinn Haggerty, Rowan Hammer, Lorelei Hayden, Katherine Kearns, Emma Krivoshein, Zoe McGowan, Alexae Merten, Emily Molinar, Jessica Neilson, Candace O’Bannan, Rachel Olsen, Juliana Rodriguez, Krystina SanGiovanni, Kaylee Varner, Alanna Volk Alto: Danielle Bermundez, Matthias Black Margaret Canfield, Emma Escanlar, 32 Bennett Ewanchyna, Zoe Ewanchyna, Elizabeth Heidrich, McKenzie Hughes, 33 Victoria Jansen, Emily Klammer, Carolyn Lazaroff, Emma Martinak Hope Martines, Shauna Miller, Caitlin Molinar, Laurel Reid, Anthony Sierra, Josalyn Strickler, Maya Van Londen Tenor: Chris Anderson, Ken Anderson, Damian Kulp, John Lind, Dylan Shumway Bass: Andrew Atwood, Ian Black, Gabriel Gonzales, Adam Krivoshein, Gabriel Kulp, Jordan Rogers, Devin Volk

Highlands Youth Ensemble, Bristol, TN Jane DeLoach Morison, Choral Director Soprano: Faith DeMotts, Patty Denmark, Katie Fulton, Lucy George, Claire Morison, Jane Morison, Zara Petzoldt, Sarah Ponce, Valerie Ponce, Victoria Upton, Brenna Williams, Tammy Williams Alto: Rebecca Barfield, Ellen Duncan, Katy Grunstra, Anna Kimerer, Sierra Lee, Emily McCraw, Katie Sell Tenor: Bryant Denmark, Jesse Hernandez, Taylor Moorefield. Peter Morison, Reyes Ponce, Nick Reynolds, Matthew Torbett, Andrew Windes Bass: Marshall Barfield, Ian Baumgardner, Isaac Grunstra, Luke Ponce

King University Symphonic Choir, Bristol, TN W. Patrick Flannagan, Choral Director Soprano: Samantha Austin, Michelle Hall, Victoria Osburn Alto: Camille Grizzle, Chelsea Herron, Candace Whitner Tenor: W. Patrick Flannagan FROM FRANCE Choeur d’enfants d’ile de France, Paris, France Francis Bardot, Choral Director Laurent Jochum, Pianist-Organist Soprano: Hugo Belorgeot, Syrine Chehairi, Sosthène Chevignard, Yasmine Cousin, Lola Duclos, Antoine Gampiot, Nicolas Gaume, Sarah-Charlotte Gru, Iris De Laporte, Jean Larbodiere, Adrien Logel, Justine Persouyre, Line Rondard, Antonin Scelles, Lyla Sultan, Thomas Tabor, Thibault Thomas, Julie Trochon, Arie Vaisbrot, Maylis De Vaublanc, Sophie Villie Alto: Anna Porcari Anthime, Margaux Bilde, Magdelaine Boulard, Paul Buquet, Florian Cauve, Venise Cornet, Milan Cornu, Quentin Cremel, Matthieu Daubie, Margot Laccariere, Maëva Lu-Chi-Vang, Anton Martin-Johner, Zoé N’diaye, Anne Rosius, Aymeric Tonnel, Joséphine Tonnel

FROM GREECE Eptanision Choir Of Patras Lena Sourmeli, Choral Director Soprano: Maria Voulgari, Eleni Giannakopoulou, Ageliki Konstantinidi, Roumbini Ksenou, Tasia Perpinia, Eleni Rouvali, Lena Sourmeli, Katerina Tapini Alto: Lena Liakopoulou, Maria Makri, Zozo Papatheodorou, Pipina Papatheodorou, Eirini Perpinia, Machi Petritsi, Eirini Skokou 34 Tenor: Agelos Markatos, Alexios Dakis Milonas, Makrigiannis, Dionysis Pyriochos 35 Bass: Dimitris Vayias, Panagiotis Argiropoulos

Choir of Lykeion Ellinidon Ioanina, Greece Valentin Stefanov, Choral Director Soprano: Eugenia Evangelia Chatzaki, Athanasia Karra, Lenia Kouti, Voula Platona, Dimitra Rapti, Aethra Anastasia Samara, Pipitsa Tsepi, Angeliki Tsoukaneli Alto: Eleni Kombogianni, Alexandra Lianou, Charoula Kondou, Eufrosyni Pyrkati, Ourania Skarveli, Renia Tsaktsira Tenor: Haris Boukouvalas, Niki Lelou Bass: George Chioureas, Vassilis Zindros

Choir of Filarmoniki Conservatory of Patras, Greece Marina Rechkalova, Choral Director Soprano: Katerina Athanasopoulou, Elissavet Gkeka, Maria Panopoulou Alto: Christina Zikou

Children’s Choir “Armonia” of Preveza, Greece Aneliya Stefanova, Choral Director Soprano: Ioanna Gobel, Rania Diku, .Elpida Balta, Efie Andreadi, Fotini Kaniori, Myrto Tzoka, Theodora Hamit, Violeta Stefanof, Natalia Russu, Nasia Sotiriu, Eleni Stratu, Xenia Sofianu, Athanasia Pappa, Iro Papadopulu, Bleona Kodra, Ioanna Pappiri, Magdalini Verikiu, Maria Krahti, Christina Paputsi, Christina Musga, Myrto Nasiula, Navsika Materi, Christina Pappa, Efie Nanu, Epamenondas Karvunis, Myrto Kostogianni, Maria Hatziathanasiu Alto: Konstantina Anogiati, Elina Tzolu, Adamandia Theofanus, Evangelia Theofanus, Nepheli Verikiu, Mariana Verikiu, Efie Kiriatzi, Victoria Kumbuli, Vasilis Butikos, Christina Zaka, Anny Pappadioti, Dimitra Asprogeraka, Iulia Kardutsu, Tasos Arbiros, Andriana Diku, Alexandra Sulioti, Ioanna Valari

Youth Choir “Armonia” of Preveza, Greece Aneliya Stefanova, Choral Director Soprano: Olga Diamanti, Thalia Arvaniti, Chrisula Kaniori, Ioanna Kotsi, Lambrini Karapanu, Maria Gavanozi Alto: Afriditi Christu, Katerina Kapelanu, Margariata Duru, Gavriela Stefanof, Despina Mussa, Despina Sioreda, Valia Kartzi Tenor: Vasilis Budas, Panagiotis Galanis, Giorgos Soldatos, Dimitris Kartzis Bass: Andonis Zakas, Panagiotis Dalas, Dionisios Alexandru, Andreas Miminis

Municipal Choir of Rhodes, Greece Michalis Kalaentzis, Choral Director Soprano: Mairy Aibazi, Xenia Kounturi, Eyanthia Kritikou, Zoumboulia Papachristodouloy, Despina Xatzikalimeri Alto: Mairy Thimianou, Seva Margariti, Anna Lambraki, Kritikou, Eleni Makesta, Depi Michailidi, Fereniki Michailidi, Ioanna Boni, Sofia Pachou, Pari Xatzipachouli Bass: Nikos Katavenakis, Diamantis Sotirakis

Choir of Syros Musical Club, Greece 34 Dimitris Papatheodorou, Choral Director 35 Soprano: Agni Alifragki, Eleftheria Antonelou, Evi Filippakou, Maria Frangoyianni, Maria Kakavi, Rena Karlafti, Toula Kotti, Katerina Livadara, Mikaela Livadara, Lili Mamidou, Elina Papadaki, Georgia Politou, Maria Pollatou, Evaggelia Renieri, Filio Tarzenta, Veroniki Vakondiou, Michele Balcon Varthalitou, Anna-Maria Xanthaki Mezzo-soprano: Ioanna Denaxa, Sofia Konstantopoulou, Eleni Louizidou, Aspasia Maina, Marie-Sandy Mamouzelou, Sofia Mpoumi, Maria Pagoni, Natasha Renieri, Maria Sidiropoulou, Katerina Tzouveleki, Stefania Tsitsoni, Elpida Vakondiou, Maria Vamvakousi Tenor: Vaggelis Chalaris, Manolis Doukas, Thanos Foskolos, George Kanakis, Konstantinos Kotsikos, Nikos Ragousis Bass: Giannis Argiriou, Giannis Georgiou, Petros Karvonis, Leonidas Keranis, Manolis Kontizas, Kostas Konstantopoulos, Pantelis Livanios, Dimitris Mandilaras, Nikos Michalakeas, Zannis Michalovits, Vaggelis Paramanis, Vasilis Plitas HISTORY OF THE FESTIVAL OF THE AEGEAN: 10 YEARS STRONG The Festival of the Aegean was founded by the Greek-American conductor Peter Tiboris and was pre- sented under the auspices of his company, MidAmerica Productions, the world’s foremost independent producer of classical music concerts in New York’s Carnegie Hall, through 2012. Since 2013, The Festival of the Aegean, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, is presented by MidAm International, a company founded by Maestro Tiboris to produce his European concerts. In addition to the Festival of the Aegean, MidAm International is presenting concerts in Paris, Vienna, and Florence, Italy.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PAST NINE YEARS OF THE FESTIVAL OF THE AEGEAN First International Festival of the Aegean | July 14 – 16, 2005 | Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia

Second International Festival of the Aegean | July 6 – 13, 2006 | Mozart: Don Giovanni | All-Mozart Program: Overture to Le nozze di Figaro, K.492; Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K.467; Symphony No. 40 in G minor, K.550 | “Broadway Comes to Syros”: Selections from West Side Story, Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, Candide, South Pacific, Carousel, The King and I, Porgy and Bess | “Broadway Comes to ”

Third International Festival of the Aegean | July 11 – 22, 2007 | Gala Opening: Verdi: Overture to ; Beethoven: “Ah, Perfido! ”; Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 | Mascagni: Zanetto | Opera highlights by Verdi, Ponchielli, Bellini, Cilèa, Rossini, Donizetti | “Vienna Night in Syros”: Se- lections by Johann Strauss, Lehár, Stolz, Kálmán | Gala Recital for Voice and Piano | “Shakespeare at the Apollo:” Romeo and Juliet | Stratos Vougas Jazz Quartet | Taximi | Rebetika from Sweden | Human Touch

Fourth International Festival of the Aegean | July 9 – 19, 2008 | Mozart: Concerto for Flute and Harp 36 in C major, K.299; Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana (concertante) | Haydn: Te Deum; Handel: Overture to 37 Royal Fireworks; Rimsky-Korsakov: Procession of the Nobles from Mlada Suite; Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 (“Italian”), Finale; Smetana: Dance of the Comedians from The Bartered Bride; John Rutter: Feel the Spirit (selections); Concerti movements by Bruch, Haydn, Telemann, Vivaldi, Weber | Mozart: Requiem; Vivaldi: Gloria | Opera Gala: Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana (concertante); Mozart: Concerto for Flute and Harp in C major | Aquila Theatre of New York: The Iliad, Book 1 | Taximi, Rebetika from Sweden

Fifth International Festival of the Aegean | July 1 – 11, 2009 | Puccini: Tosca | Schubert: Mass in G ma- jor, No. 2, D.167; Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64; Mozart: Overture to La clemenza di Tito, K.621 | Shakespeare: As You Like It | Stars of Vienna State Opera Ballet: Zorba

Sixth International Festival of the Aegean | July 14 – 25, 2010 | Bizet: Carmen | Fauré: Requiem; Works by Ariaga, von Weber, Krommer | Sunset Concert at St. Nicholas Church | Greek Opera Studio Gala Perfor- mance | Maria Farantouri: “Songs without Borders” | “Mythos and Pathos in Dance”

Seventh International Festival of the Aegean | July 12 – 25 , 2011 | Verdi: La traviata | Choral Gala: Music for Women’s Chorus; John Rutter: Requiem | Sunset Concert at St. Nicholas Church | Schubert: Sym- phony No. 8; Mahler: | Orff: Carmina Burana “Under the Stars”; Theodorakis: Selections from Zorba Suite; Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man | Sherman: Rose | Two Films about | Theodor- akis: Medea’s Choice ballet | Greek Opera Studio Gala Performance

Eighth International Festival of the Aegean | July 9 – 22, 2012 | Beethoven: “Emperor” Concerto, “Cho- ral” Symphony | Strauss: Salome | Pergolesi: Stabat Mater, Schubert: Symphony No. 5 | Sunset Concert at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church | Beethoven: “Triple” Concerto, Symphony No. 7 | Family Rush Con- cert, Mozart, Kalomiris, Psathas | Under the Stars – Rutter: Magnificat, Ravel: Bolero, Beethoven: Sympho- ny No. 9 | Theodorakis Variations | Euripides: Herakles | Everybody’s Waltzing! | Greek Opera Studio Gala

Ninth International Festival of the Aegean | July 6 – 19, 2013 | Verdi: Messa da Requiem | Mozart: Così fan tutte | Gonzalez: Misa Azteca | Beethoven: Fidelio Overture, Symphony No. 3 (“Eroica”) | Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 3 | “Under the Stars” Tribute to Verdi | Stravinsky: “L’Histoire du Soldat” | Mozart: Impresario | Greek National Opera Ballet “Journey to Eternity” | Spyros Anemis & Yiorgos Fakanas jazz groups | Greek Opera Studio Gala Margaret Brown, Choral Director, 2010 Frederick Burchinal, Baritone, 2011 Artists Io Calochristos, Asst. to Mr. Zanella, 2011- 2013 Appearing Deanna Carter, Movement, Dancer, 2013 Carol Castel, Staging Director, 2000, 2001, at the 2007 Rosario Castro, Dancer, 2010 Festival of Ricardo Castro, Dancer, 2010 Anais Chalendard, Dancer, 2010 the Aegean Lena Chatzigrigoriou, Production Manager, Artists participating before 2005 2010-2013 were part of Opera Aegean Elena Chavdarova-Isa, Mezzo-soprano, 2013 Ray Adams, Choral Director, 2012 Vera Chekanova, Soprano, 2014 Agapios Agapiadis, Dancer, 2013 Vinicio Chieli, Lighting Designer, 2010, 2011 Marina Alexander, Choral Director, 2011 Won Whi Choi, Tenor, GOS Resident Artist, Giada Amparan, Mezzo-soprano, 2006 2014 Seija Anderson, Choral Director/GOS, 2013 Joanna Ciapka-Sangster, Violin, Obsessions Chris Andrew, Piano, Obsessions Octet, 2014 Octet, 2014 Spyros Anemis, Bassist, 2013 Zhani Ciko, Conductor, 2012 Katarina Angelopoulou, Sets/Costumes, Liliana Del Conde, Soprano, 2012 2013 Philip Copeland, Choral Director, 2010 Stefano Anselmi, Baritone, 2006 Raffaele Costantini, Bass-baritone, 2005 Andreou Antonios, Trombonist, 2013 Graham Cox, Pianist/GOS, 2013-2014 36 37 Tassos Apostolou, Bass-baritone, 2009, Stanley Curtis, Choral Director, 2011 2010 Anita Cyrier, Choral Director, 2012 Graciela Araya, Mezzo-soprano, 2012 Brent Davis, Baritone, 2011 Luk Artois, Timpanist, Percussionist, 2013 Damian Davis, Actor, 2009 Leandra Ashton, Actor, 2009 Eleni Davou, Mezzo-soprano, 2014 Richard Aslanian, Artistic Staff, 2002 Benjamin Dawkins, Bass, 2011 Fotini Athanasaki, Mezzo-soprano, 2012, Kenneth De Boer, Choral Director, 2011 2013 Sharon DeBoer, Accompanist, 2011 Katherine Austin, Pianist, 2012 Brian Delate, Actor, 2012 Francis Bardot, Guest Conductor, 2010, Josephine Delledera, Soprano, 2011 2012, 2014 Luc De Meulenaere, Actor, 2013 Stavros Beris, Choral Director, 2012, 2013 Chris De Moor, Actor, 2013 Esteban Berlanga, Dancer, 2010 Mimi Denissi, Actress, 2011 Yiannis Benetos, Dancer, 2013 Shannon DeVine, Baritone, 2009 Simona Bertini, Soprano, 2006 Christos Diakoumis, Drums, 2013 Linda Mack Berven, Choral Director, 2011 Dangelo Fernando Diaz, Tenor, GOS Young Vangelis Bikos, Dancer, 2012, 2013 Artist, 2014 Maria Bildea, Harpist, 2008 Bruce Dickerson, Choral Director, 2014 James Bingham, Choral Director, 2008 Raymond Dils, Clarinetist, 2013 Lucy Black, Actor, 2009 Elton Dimrotchi, Dancer, 2013 Richard Block, Bass-baritone, GOS Young Carla Dirlikov, Mezzo-soprano, 2010 Artist, 2011, 2013 Nicolas Di Virgilio, Master Teacher, Coach, Wiktor Bockman, Conductor, 2012 2000 Dirk Boiy, Conductor, 2013 Naomi Drucker, Clarinetist, 2010 Vicky Bourcha, Dancer, 2013 Miguel Drake-McLaughlin, Joseph Brent, Tenor, 2011 Cinematographer, 2012 Stanley Drucker, Clarinetist, 2010 Antonino Interisano, Tenor, 2009 Olympia Dukakis, Actress, 2011 Evrydiki Issakidou, Dancer, 2012, 2013 Norman Dunfee, Pianist, 2007 Anthony Ivanov, Choral Director, 2011 Reda El Wakil, Bass-baritone, 2010 Louise Jardine, Choral Director, 2011 Olga Esina, Dancer, 2010 Terre Johnson, Guest Conductor, 2010 Constantine Th. Evangelatos, Choral Matthew Jones, Violin, Ensemble MidtVest, Director, 2011 2014 Kostas Evangelatos, Choral Director, 2012 Shayna Jones, Soprano, GOS Young Artist, Yiorgos Fakanas, Bassist, 2013 2014 Maria Farantouri, Folk Singer, 2010 Stavroula Kaburakis, Dancer, 2012 Jakub Fiebig, Orchestra Executive Manager, Klodjan Kacani, Tenor, 2012 2009-2011 Michael Kalentzis, Choral Director, 2014 Giannis Filias, Tenor, 2010 Christina Kalliaridou, Choral Director, 2012 W. Patrick Flannagan, Choral Director, Stella Kaltsou, Lighting Designer, 2012, 2013 2010, 2014 Nikolas Karagiaouris, Bass, GOS Student, Athanasios Foskolos, Choral Director, 2013 2012-2014 Stephen Fox, Conductor, 2011 Eleni Karaindrou, Composer, 2013 Anna Fragou, Dancer, 2013 Mania Karavassili, Dancer, 2013 Carroll Freeman, Teacher GOS, 2002, 2011 Dimitris Karavelis, Choral Director, 2013 Niki Rosa Frei, Mezzo-soprano, GOS Young Kimon Karoutzos, Bass, Stratos Vougas Artist, 2014 Quartet, 2014 Abbie Furmansky, Voice Teacher, 2011-14 Edvin Kastrati, Bass, 2012 Nikos Gaggadis, Electric Guitar, 2013 Dimitri Kavrakos, Bass, 2012, 2013 Janet Galván, Guest Conductor, 2011 Richard Kidd, Actor, 2009 38 Augusto Garcia, Bass, 2013 Melody Kielisch, Soprano, 2006, 2007 39 Emilia Gaspari, Dancer, 2012, 2013 Sergej Kiselev, Tenor, 2006 Theo Gavaliatsis, Tenor, 2012 Spyros Klapsis, Choral Director, 2010, 2011, Todd Geer, Tenor, 2007 2013 Filli Georgiadou, Soprano, 2010 Konstantinos Klironomos, Tenor, 2009 Lina Geronikou, Choral Director, 2012, 2013 Taryn Knerr, Soprano, 2013 Christina Giannapoulou, Teacher, 2011 Beatrice Knop, Dancer, 2010 Julian Gjojdeshi, Tenor, 2012 Giorgos Kolios, Set Design Concept, 2010 Anooshah Golesorkhi, Baritone, 2012, 2014 George Kontrafouris, Piano, Stratos Vougas Benito Gonzales, Piano, Dimitri Vassilakis Quartet, 2014 Quartet, 2014 Dimitris Kontzias, Sound & Light, 2014 Danielle Halbwachs, Soprano, 2013 Nikos Kontizas, Sound & Light, 2012, 2014 Lara Hall, Violinist, 2012 Anton Koruti, Dancer, 2012. 2013 Michael Hayden, Choral Director, 2010 Vassilis Kostopoulos, Bass, 2013-2014 Tina Johns Heidrich, Choral Director, 2011 Vanessa Kourkoulou, Dancer, 2013 Robby Hellyn, Bassist, 2013 Kirill Kourlaev, Dancer, 2009 Christin-Marie Hill, Mezzo-soprano, 2013 Andonis Kourutis, Dancer, 2013 Daniel Holstrom, GOS Composer, 2014 Maria Kousouni, Dancer, 2010-2013 Takako Horaguchi, Mezzo-soprano, 2005 Zafris Koutelieris, Bass, 2010 Owen Howard, Drums, Obsessions Octet, Rainer Krenstetter, Dancer, 2010 2014 Alex Drakos Ktistakis, Drummer, 2013 Jens Huebner, Lighting, Set Design, 2012, Edyta Kulczak, Mezzo-soprano, 2008 2013 Asteris Kutulas, Filmmaker, 2011 Raymond Hughes, Conductor, Pianist, Dimitris Kyriazis, Electric Bass/Spyros 2007, 2009 Anemis, 2013 Keith Ikaia-Purdy, Tenor, Voice Teacher, Chen Laks, Soprano, 2012 2012-2014 Akis Lalousis, Baritone, 2009 Iris Lamanna, Guest Conductor, 2011 Igor , Dancer, 2010 Robert E. Lamb, Conductor, 2011 Ricardo Mirabelli, Tenor, 2013 David Lander, Lighting Design, 2011 Ann Moeller, Conductor, 2011 Eilana Lappalainen, Soprano, Artistic Carmine Monaco, Bass, 2005 Director, GOS, 2005-2014 Paco Montalvo, Violin, 2013 Jennifer Larmore, Mezzo-soprano, 2007 Armando Mora, Baritone, 2006 Gérard Lavalle, Actor, 2013 Theodore Moraitis, Bass, 2011 James Lavender, Actor, 2009 Amedeo Moretti, Tenor, 2005 Anastasios Lazarou, Baritone, GOS Young Jane DeLoach Morison, Choral Director, 2014 Artist, 2013 Erica Muller, Soprano, 2012, 2014 Michael Wade Lee, Tenor, 2014 Wendolin Pazitka Munroe, Choral Director, Dimitris Livadiotis, Drums, Stratos Vougas 2012 Quartet, 2014 Katrien Nauwelaerts, Soprano, 2013 Tommaso Lonquich, Clarinet, Ensemble Carol Nelson, Choral Director, 2014 MidtVest, 2014 Karl Nelson, Choral Director, 2013 Manos Loutas, Bass, Cimitri Vassilakis Maria Neofytides, GOS Czech language Quartet, 2014 coach, 2014 Thomas Louziotis, Choral Director, 2011- Aleksander Neskov, Dancer, 2013 2014 Russi Nikoff, Bass, 2010 Israel Lozano, Tenor, 2011 Brooke Nielsen, Soprano, GOS Apprentice, David Lynch with Human Touch, 2007 2014 Gary L. Mabry, Choral Director, 2012 Lloyd Notice, Actor, 2009 Lianne Maitland, Viola, Obsessions Octet, Jiři Novak, Assistant Stage Director, 2010, 2014 2011 Christina Makridou, Dancer, 2013 38 Cian O’Mahony, Bassoonist, 2013 39 Eustathios Makris, Choral Director, 2013 Michael O’Neal, Choral Director, 2010 Nikos Maliaras, Choral Director, 2011-2013 Camille Ortiz-Lafont, Soprano, GOS David Malis, Baritone, Director, 2013 Resident Artist, 2014 Jenia Manoussaki, Pianist, 2006, 2013 George Pachos, Stage Director, 2013 Myrsini Margariti, Soprano, 2010, 2011 Pier Paolo Pacini, Director, 2011 Thomas Massey, Tenor, 2013 Neil Page, French Horn, Ensemble MidtVest, Pietro Masi, Baritone, 2005 2014 Maria Francesca Mazzara, Soprano, 2005 Grigor Palikarov, Conductor, 2013, 2014 Nancy Meckler, Director, 2011 Giovanni Battista Palmieri, Tenor, 2008 Peter Meineck, Artistic Director Aquila, Eleni Panagiotopoulou, Soprano, 2012 2009, 2012 Tania Panayanopoulou, Pianist, 2005 Sofia Meineck, Actor, 2012 Sergio Panajia, Tenor, 2005 Manu Melaerts, Trumpet, 2013 Manos Papadopoulos, Bass, 2014 Maria Emma Meligopoulou, Choral Director, Christos Papageorgiou, Pianist, 2012, 2013 2011 Elia Papaioannou, Piano, 2013 Raul Melo, Tenor, 2010 Marissia Papalexiou, Mezzo-soprano, 2010, Irene Messoloras, Conductor, 2011 2011 Ronda Metszies, Cello, Obsessions Octet, Stratos Papanoussis, 2013 2014 Manolis Papasifakis, Coach, Accompanist, Gilmond Miftari, Tenor, 2012 2000, 2011-2013 Giorgio Aristo Mikroutsikos, Tenor, 2006, Dimitris Papatheodorou, Choral Director, 2007 2013-2014 Gary Miller, Choral Director, 2012 Michalis Pappas, Dancer, 2013 Kailey Miller, Mezzo-soprano, GOS Alessandra Pasquali, Assistant Apprentice, 2014 Choreographer, 2011 Sherrill Milnes, Artistic Director, 2000 Takis Paterelis, Saxophonist, 2013 Eno Peci, Dancer, 2009, 2010, 2011 Markos Simopoulos, Bass, 2014 Galen Dean Peiskee, Accompanist, 2011 Karina Skreszewska-Trapezanidou, Sofia Pintzou, Dancer, 2011 Soprano, 2009 Mina Polychronou, Soprano, 2013 Jonathan Slaatto, Cello, Ensemble George Polyhronakos, Drums, Dimitri MidtVest, 2014 Vassilakis Quartet, 2014 Jan Snmets, Trombonist, 2013 Rosa Poulimenou, Soprano, Choral Nikos Solomos, Violin/Spyros Anemis, 2013 Director, 2008, 2010 Stavros Solomos, Choral Director, 2012, William Powers, Bass-baritone, 2007 2013 Maria Prinz, Pianist, 2014 Thanassis Solomos, Dancer, 2013 Ellen Rabiner, Contralto, 2008 Femke Sonnen, Violinist, 2013 Kostas Rassidakis, Baritone, 2010 Mikhail Sosnovsky, Dancer, 2009 Maria Ratkova, Mezzo-soprano, 2012 Lena Sourmeli, Conductor, 2011, 2014 Marina Rechkalova, Choral Director, 2012- Randall Speer, Choral Director, 2013 2014 Mark Stamper, Conductor, 2011 Beth Richey, Choral Director, 2012 Valentin Stefanov, Choral Director, 2011, Rogelio Riojas-Nolasco, Assistant 2013-2014 Conductor, 2011-2013 Aneliya Stefanova, Choral Director, 2014 Renato Ripo, Cellist, 2014 Anastasios Stellas, Tenor, 2014 Virginia-Gene Rittenhouse, Conductor, 2008 Alina Stergianou, Dancer, 2013 Earl Rivers, Guest Conductor, 2011 Chen Stern, Mezzo-soprano, 2013 Mitchell Roe, Tenor, 2013 Antonio Stragapede, Bass, 2006, 2008 Gianni Romangiolli, Director, 2005, 2006 Marilena Striftobola, Soprano, 2014 Veroniki Roussou, Pianist, 2013 Daniel Sutton, Pianist, GOS, 2011-2014 40 Yiorgos Roussos, Master of Ceremonies, Peter Svensson, Tenor, 2012 41 2013-2014 Aliya Tanikpaev, Dancer, 2009 Terry Russell, Choral Director, 2009, 2013 Taximi, 2007, 2008 John Rutter, Composer, Conductor, 2012, John Taylor, Bass, Obsessions Octet 2014 Foskolos Tchanos, Bass, 2012 Alessandra Salmieri, Movement, Dance, James Tennant, Cellist, 2012 2013 Mikis Theodorakis, Composer, 2011 David Samuel, Viola, Ensemble MidtVest, Bradley Trammel, Tenor, 2011 2014 Sotiris Triantis, Baritone, GOS, 2014 Desiree Sanchez, Director & Production Lisa Tsikoudis, Movement, Dance, 2013 Designer, 2009, 2012 Irini Tsirakidis, Soprano, 2007, 2014 Kent Sangster, Jazz Director, 2014 Randal Turner, 2013 Manos Saridakis, Pianist, 2013 Natalia Ushakova, Soprano, 2011 Karina Sarkissova, Dancer, 2009 Danielle Vaillancourt, Mezzo-soprano, GOS Alicia Saunders, Flutist, 2008 Young Artist, 2014 Dirk Schattner, Stage Director, 2012-2014 Veronika Vakondiou, Pianist, 2013 Zoi Scinoplokaki, Dancer, 2013 Nicky Vanoppen, Dancer, 2011 Sonja Sepúlveda, Choral Director, 2013 Katerina Vasilikou, Choral Director, 2012, Arkady Serper, Accompanist, 2011 2013 Laura Kakis Serper, Guest Conductor, 2011 Dimitri Vassilakis, Saxophonist, Composer, Dimitris Sgouros, Pianist, 2012 2014 Vaishnavi Sharma, Actor, 2009 Argiris Vassileiou, Bass, 2014 Tim Sharp, Principal Guest Conductor, 2011 Paul Zachariades, Male mezzo-soprano, Martin Sherman, Playwright, 2011 2011 Igor Siatzko, Dancer, 2013 Maria Vassilopoulos, GOS Italian Language Angeliki Sigourou, Choreographer, 2011- Coach, 2011, 2013, 2014 2013 Augusto Garcia Vazquez, Bass, 2012 Carlos Vazquez, Pianist, GOS, 2012, 2013 Alexander Winn, Baritone, GOS Young Katrien Verbeke, Pianist, 2013 Artist, 2014 Dimitris Vezyroglou, Pianist, Greek Opera Yannis Xylas, Pianist, Cembalist, 2005, Studio, 2014 2006, 2011 Diego Alvarez Vilches, Baritone, GOS Young Maria Yakovleva, Dancer, 2009 Artist, 2014 Neda Yamach, Violin, Obsessions Octet, Stefano Viti, Baritone, 2005, 2006 2014 Stratos Vougas, Tenor Saxophone, Stratos Stella Yialogou, Pianist, 2013 Vougas Quartet, 2007, 2014 Yasmin Yitzhak-van der Hall, Mezzo- Elizabeth Wakehouse, Actor, 2012 soprano, 2014 Michael Brownlee Walker, Pianist, GOS Renato Zanella, Dance Director, Faculty, 2013-2014 Choreographer, 2009-2013 Franziska Wallner-Hollinek, Dancer, 2011 Vasko Zdravkov, Baritone, GOS Young Karolina Weltrowska, Violin, Ensemble Artist, 2014 MidtVest, 2014 Danilo Zeka, Dancer, 2011-2013 Brent Werzner, Actor, 2012 Zoe Zeniodi, Conductor, 2014 Nadine Whitney, Choral Director, 2011 Konstantinos Zervos, Baritone, 2013 Kathryn Wieckhorst, Soprano, 2013 Michalis Zouloufos, Actor, 2013 Richard Sheridan Willis, Actor, 2012 Maria Zouves, Artist-in-Residence, 2000

Manolis Kalomiris Children’s Choir and VOCAL ENSEMBLES Choir of the Music Department of the APPEARING AT University of Athens 2011-2013 40 FESTIVAL OF THE Camerata Vocalis, Corfu, 2010 41 AEGEAN SINCE 2005 Ionian University Department of Musical Studies, Corfu, 2009 Canada Ionian Harmony Men’s Choir of Corfu, 2013 Kamloops Choristers, British Columbia, Corfu Island Children’s Choir and Mixed 2010 Choir, 2012 Etobicoke Youth Choir, Ontario, 2011 The Choir of Eptanisii of Patras, 2011, 2014 Canadian University College Choral Union, Alberta, 2012 Polyphonic Choir of Patras, 2012, 2013 Choir of Filarmoniki Conservatory of France Patras, 2012-2014 Choeur d’Enfants d’Ile-de-France, Paris, University of Patras Choir, 2012, 2013 2010, 2012, 2014 Scientists’ Choir of Philothei, 2011, 2012 Youth & Children’s Choir Armonia Preveza, Greece 2011, 2014 Ambitus Choir, Athens, 2012 Municipal Choir of Rhodes, 2014 Athens Choir Ensemble, 2013 St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of City of Athens Choir, 2013 Syros Men’s Chorus, Syros, 2010 Choir of the National Conservatory of Syros Opera Chorus, Syros, 2006 Athens (Ethnikon Odeio), 2009-2013 Choir of Syros Musical Club, 2013-2014 Choir of Emporiki Bank, Athens, 2012 Choir “Synchroni Ekfrasi,” Athens, 2013 Italy Choir of Lykeion Ellinidon Ioannina, 2013- The Rome Philharmonic Orchestra 2014 Soloists, 2005 Athens Singers and Nakas Conservatory, 2006, 2009 Poland Choir of the Employees’ Union of the Bank The Choir of the Podlasie Opera and of Greece, Athens, 2011, 2012 Philharmonic, Bialystok, 2008 Choir of Athens University, 2011-2013 United States Yellow Rose Singers, San Antonio, Texas, Birmingham Concert Chorale, Alabana, 2012 2010 Fort Worth Academy Choir, Texas, 2011 Kairos Youth Choir, Berkeley, California, Randolph College Chorale, Lynchburg, 2011 Virginia, 2013 Southwestern College Concert Choir, Chula Vista, California, 2009, 2013 Towne Singers, La Cañada, California, 2012 ORCHESTRAS Nova Voce, Los Angeles, California, 2011 APPEARING AT THE Vocal Ensemble of Mira Costa High School, FESTIVAL OF THE Manhattan Beach, California, 2010 AEGEAN SINCE Contra Costa Youth Choir, Walnut Creek, California, 2011 2005 Durango Choral Society, Colorado, 2011 Rome Philharmonic, 2005 Connecticut Master Chorale, Danbury, CT, New England Symphonic Orchestra, 2006 2011 Bohuslav Martinu Philharmonic, Brevard Community Chorus, Cocoa, Czech Republic, 2007 Florida, 2011 Pan-European Philharmonia, Poland, Indian River Charter High School Choir, 2009, 2010, 2011 Vero Beach, Florida, 2012 Symphony Orchestra of the National The Michael O’Neal Singers, Georgia, 2010 Theatre of Opera and Ballet, Tirana, Wesleyan Concert Chorus, Macon, Georgia, Albania, 2012 2011 Pazardzhik Symphony Orchestra, Bulgaria, Johnson County Chorus, Overland Park, 2013-2014 Kansas, 2012 42 Columbia Collegiate Chorale of Maryland, 43 Maryland, 2008 DANCE ENSEMBLES The Barstow School Chamber Singers, APPEARING AT THE Kansas City, Missouri, 2014 FESTIVAL OF THE The Arcadian Chorale of New Jersey, AEGEAN Matawan, NJ and Richmond Choral Society, New York, 2011 Akropoditi Dance Theater of Syros, Greece Warwick Valley Chorale, New York, 2011 Greek National Opera Ballet, 2011-2013 The Taghkanic Chorale, Yorktown Heights, New York, 2011 Sardis Presbyterian Church Sanctuary THEATER COMPANY Choir, Charlotte, North Carolina, 2011 APPEARING AT THE Knox Choir of Presbyterian Church, FESTIVAL OF THE Cincinnati, Ohio, 2011 AEGEAN Edmond Community Chorale, Oklahoma, 2013 Aquila Theatre Company Tulsa Oratorio Chorus, Oklahoma, 2011 Heart of the Valley Children’s Choir, Corvallis, Oregon, 2014 Salem College Choir, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 2013 Highlands Youth Ensemble, Bristol, Tennessee, 2014 King College Symphonic Choir, Bristol, Tennessee, 2010, 2014 Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas, 2011 FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL

The Festival of the Aegean celebrating it’s 10th annual season, has grown with great acclaim! Our support organization established in 2010-2011 has also continued to growth in developing educational and community activities expanding the cultural vision of expression, which music provides. We believe music is a sign of hope in a time of crisis. It is through the international language of music which gives us energy creating new ideas. This stimulation, touched our organization as well. We have sponsored a Greek Young Artist in a “study abroad” program which allowed her to sing in Berlin and Bayreuth in 2013. This year we are raising funds for the Emerging Leading Artists singing awards. In 2014, we have expanded to present our organization in a performance venue and DVD presentation featuring Greek Opera Studio Artists, bringing publicity to the island of Syros and the Festival of the Aegean in New York. We are determined to spread the word about this precious jewel and high level of art probided in our music Festival. Please join our support team and organization next season starting August 2014- July 2015. We need your support! 42 Eilana Lappalainen 43 President

FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL SPONSORS ZEUS SPONSOR Eilana and Peter Tiboris, The City of Hermoupolis, Nicky & John Conti, Eleni & Yiannis Rotas, Rania Nikolopoulou & Kostas Mourkoutas, FOUNDING Renos Freris, Hotel Ploes MEMBERS ATHENA SPONSOR Eilana Lappalainen, Maxine Ipiotis, Kostas Bougiouris, Johnson Brent Stavros Kois, Michalis Makroulakis, Heleni Armakola, Purcy Raines, HERMES SPONSOR Chara Kalomiri Seailles, Stavros Kois Dimitris Tsitouras, Ioannis Toumpas, Nicholas Moore, Kalliopi Yatrakou, APOLLO SPONSOR Yannis Rotas, Maria Rota, Zaugg Stefan & Sylvia, Van Nugteren Paulina, Yorgos Kritsinis, Anna Kagani, Van Nugteren Anna, Maria & Kalliopi Yiatrakou, Petros Metaxas, Marylin Pomerank, Sotiris Fragkidis, Konstantina Riga, Nancy Whitney, Lilliane Rigouzzo - Arabis, Christos Polykratis, Anais Eyripioti, Alexander Phylactopoulos, Janis Klapsis Markos Dounavis, Demetres Stayrakopoulos

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Βαφιαδάκη 15 - Ερμούπολη - Σύρος Τηλ.: 22810 87711 - Κιν.: 693 6723104 www.hermoupolis.com.gr SPECIAL THANKS, ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & CREDITS

Lena Chatzigrigoriou, Vangelis Siadimas Venue manager of the Apollo Theater Stefanos Zouganelis Apollo Theater Staff Spiros Rama Letta Dounavi of Aegean Technical & Litsa Tsikoudi Financial Consultants Thanos Foskolos Aria & George Paris Veroniki Vakondiou Tassos Afentioulides,Ulysses Travel Athens Aegeis - Congresses & Events, Fabrika Sigalas Winery The Festival Hotels Faros Village, N. Hadjakis Winery Boutique Hotel Ploes, Hermes Hotel, Kritsinis Liquer Store Paradise Hotel, Nisaki Hotel, Aktaion Tyrosyra Creamery Hotel, Francoise Hotel, Sea Colors, Eleni Hotel, Mansion Ermoupoli, Apergis at Teamwork Travel & Peter Boudouris Hermopolis, Maistrali at Galissas, Villa Eva Seferiadou, Popi Mertzani Elena, Vyzantio Apartments, Asteria & Mariza Kountouri Rooms and Apartments, Remvi, Ventura Maria Rota and Glarontas at Galissas. The following Syros Restaurants for their Teachers and students from generous cooperation and assistance: the University of the Aegean: Mammo, Allou Yalou, Petrino, Sta Vaporia, George Kaoukis & Rachel Xygonaki Ta Yiannena, Peri... , Peri Ousias, Dirk Boiy of Brussels Oniro, Alexandros Silivanis, Maritsa, Amvix, The Orchestra Ithaki tou Ai, Rafoyiannis. Fotis Tsantilas The following Shops for their generous cooperation and discount: Stavros Kois Apostolis Gitonas optics, Lithos, Cosmos, Elikas, Symvolo, Giorgos Roussos and Prime Radio 100.3 Antonakakis jewellery. Kostas Bougiouris and the The Greek National Anthem arrangement Iliovasilema restaurant of Galissas is generously provided by composer Vasilis Stamatis and Apostolis Zablakos Tenidis

To the community of Syros, we thank you for embracing the Festival of the Aegean in such a positive manner, and supporting our international cultural exchange.

Kent Sangster’s Obsessions Octet (appearing July 16)

The appearance of the Ensemble MidtVest (July 14 & 15) at the Festival of the Aegean is kindly supported by the Knud Højgaard Foundation. MidAm International, Inc. Festival of Peter Tiboris the Aegean General Director & Music Director

Eilana Lappalainen Artistic Administrator, Director of Vocal Division Peter Tiboris Founder, Artistic Director Sara Bong & Conductor Director of Program Development Eilana Lappalainen Associate Artistic Director Joe Bill Artistic Director, Greek Opera Director of Administration Studio

Joyce Howard Director of Accounts Receivable Reinhard Seifert Zui Ta o Technical Director Executive Assistant to the General Director Lucia Leyser Stage Manager, Production Associate Sara Bong MidAmerica Productions, Inc. Production Associate, Festival Accompanist Peter Tiboris General Director & Music Director Rodney H. Caldwell Production Associate, Norman Dunfee Rehearsal Conductor President, Executive Director Camille Ortiz-Lafont Production Associate, Sara Bong Greek Opera Studio Assistant Vice President, Director of Program Development Marina Barka Anthia Kostsi Joe Bill Persefoni Tsoka Vice President, Director of Administration Production Assistants Mary Avgerinopoulou Joyce Howard Public Relations/ Athens Vice President, Director of Accounts Receivable Dale Zeidman Molly Waymire Public Relations & Publications, Vice President, NYC Director of Audience Development Frederick Roussos Graphic Design Dale Zeidman Director of Public Relations & Publications

Eilana Lappalainen Artistic Administrator, Director of the Vocal Division

Rodney H. Caldwell and Dennis J. Loy Conductors-in- Residence MIDAM INTERNATIONAL INC. Joseph Stebbins and Jeffrey Reynolds 132 W. 36th Street - 4th floor Concert Development Associates New York, NY 10018 Tel 1+ 212.736.1617 Zui Ta o www.festivaloftheaegean.com Executive Assistant to the General Director www.MidAmInternational.com Announcing the SECOND DECADE

The 11th Annual INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF THE AEGEAN The 151st Year of the Apollo Theater “La Piccola Scala”

July 12 to 25,2015 500 visiting artists from 20 countries

LUIGI CHERUBINI’S “MEDEA” (Premiere 1797, Paris, France) An opera based on the play by the great ancient Greek playwrite, Euripides, premiered in Athens in 431 BC. It tells the story of the barbarian protagonist Medea, wife of Jason with two children, who finds her position in the Greek world threatened and the revenge she takes out on Jason, her unfaithful husband. The story is one of revenge, passion with an unspeakable final scene. Cherubini set this play to music and it premiered in Paris in 1797. It is an opera of uncommon difficulty and power.

CARL ORFF’S CARMINA BURANA Opera Highlights

Beethoven’s SYMPHONY #6 “PASTORALE” Jean Sibelius ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE Nielsen’s SYMPHONY #4 Prokofiev’s PETER AND THE WOLF GREEK OPERA STUDIO GREAT JAZZ from Athens and abroad

The above programs are subject to change without notice