By Fotis Kaliampakos – Special for Hellenic News of America
The famous interpreter of works by all the great Greek composers will perform in Astoria for a unique concert on September 23.
Manolis Mitsias – The Living History of Greek Song
At the dawn of the sixth decade of his uninterrupted presence at the highest level of Greek song, Manolis Mitsias needs no introduction. The popular artist, who has also maintained close relations with the Greek diaspora for over a decade, with numerous performances outside Greece, will be in New York again for a special concert referencing his entire career, which aligns almost perfectly with the trajectory of Greek song. The veteran singer, with roots in Halkidiki and musical studies in Thessaloniki, made his stage debut at a young age and gained significant fame with his debut album in 1969, containing the hit song “Stin Elefsina Mia Fora (Music: Dimos Moutsis, Lyrics: Vasilis Andreopoulos). With this song, Mitsias’ tender and distinctive voice, unique colors and sensitive interpretations became known throughout Greece. Since then, this outstanding performer, who exudes a feeling of familiarity and a natural sense of refinement, has collaborated closely with all the great composers of Greek song. To name a few, Vasilis Tsitsanis, Manos Hadjidakis, Mikis Theodorakis, Giannis Spanos and the recently deceased Giannis Markopoulos. He also continues to collaborate with Stavros Xarhakos and Mimis Plessas.
Identity songs!
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However, beyond the great composers with whom he has collaborated, most of the songs with which Manolis Mitsias has associated himself are the works of important poets or lyricists. These songs, in addition to love and daily life, touch on the history, struggles and sensitivities of Hellenism. A story illustrating the importance of some of these songs for Greek identity and self-awareness was told by Manolis Mitsias on ERT3 several years ago (and we are relaying it from memory, so some details may be incomplete). Two former prime ministers have mentioned two of the songs he performed.
“Sailing through history ‘with a small boat'”
The first (no longer living) Prime Minister of the 1980s, referring to the song “Erotiko-Me Mia Piroga” (lyrics: Alkis Alkaios, music: Thanos Mikroutsikos), said that this song told almost the whole story. history of Greece concerning its dependence. on foreign powers, specifically alluding to the lyrics: “And I’m a cheap shooting range where foreign soldiers practice insults!” » The choice of this particular song was perhaps indicative of the specific perspective and issue that concerned this politician.
Struggles of Hellenism “in the marble fields of Charon”
A similar theme but with a slightly different perspective, also characteristic of the political positioning, was the choice of the second Prime Minister in the 2000s. He called the song “Tsamikos” the second national anthem. Indeed, the masterpiece of Manos Hadjidakis and Nikos Gatsos summarizes in very few verses the course of Hellenism. He characterizes Greece as “a piece of land” (recalling that according to Thucydides, Attica is “sparsely populated”), referring to the struggles with the great powers, the claim to Greek territory and the timeless efforts of the Greeks for the protect. – “to save this corner from the jackal and the bear”, the relationship with Orthodoxy – “but You, my Christ, bless them”. In a particular metaphor that emphasizes the tragic (in the ancient Greek sense), this struggle is represented as a celebration in which all the courageous figures of Greek history dance, with only Digenes and Nikitaras being mentioned by name in the eternal struggle for freedom. This “celebration” of the continuity of Hellenism takes place with a clear reference to the years of the Byzantine Empire and to the popular tradition “in the marble fields of Charon’s millstone”! In this journey, the ultimate judge and master, of course, is God, but the interpreter of his will and judgment, personified in the poem, is the Greek people!
“The Pan-Cypriot organizer of the concert”
Unfortunately, the struggles of Hellenism for the journey “from darkness to freedom” are not simply history and have not all been vindicated. Cyprus, in a short time, will mark half a century, fifty whole years since the Turkish invasion, and remains an open wound for Hellenism. Manolis Mitsias maintains close relations with Cypriot Hellenism. He certainly sang songs about Cyprus and compositions by Cypriots, such as Marios Tokas and the young George Theophanous. As previously mentioned, many of his songs also touch on the history and struggles of Hellenism.
The concert organized by the Pan-Cypriot Federation, the proceeds of which will be donated to the Center for Byzantine Studies at Queens College, represents an opportunity both to celebrate this center of Greek studies in the heart of New York and to honor the eminent Greek interpreter. Thus, the President of the Pan-Cypriot Federation, Philip Christopher, PSEKA Supreme President Savvas Tsivicos and Queens College Professor Nikos Alexiou appealed to the Greek community to gather on September 23 at 7 p.m. in the hall Central at Queens College. . This event aims not only to support this cornerstone of Greek studies but also to pay homage to the famous Greek artist.
The Pancypriot Choir – Fytos Stratēs
Nana Binopoulou and the Pan-Cypriot Choir will accompany Manolis Mitsias at the concert under the direction of his permanent conductor, Fytos Stratēs. This choir, with its numerous annual performances, manages to keep the Greek community in contact with Greek music. Sometimes their concerts are particularly “educational” when they focus on a specific composer or occasion. In addition, the choir provides an opportunity for talented young musicians studying at prestigious music universities in New York to perform for the Greek community. In cases like this collaboration with Manolis Mitsias, the choir itself has the opportunity to work with and “learn” from the main representatives of Greek music. A similar collaboration took place last year under the direction of Fytos Stratēs, during a concert tribute to Mikis Theodorakis in the iconic Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall.
Note: Fotis Kaliampakos is a member of the Music Critics Association of North America (MCANA).
