Year dedicated to Mikis Theodorakis

The Athens State Orchestra continues its events within the framework of the Greek Ministry of Culture Year Dedicated to Mikis Theodorakis on the 100-year anniversary of his birth, honoring the great Greek composer's work. At the invitation of the- always hospitable- Prefecture of Crete, two concerts-tribute will be held at our great composer's hometown, Chania, as well as in Heraklion. In addition, the Athens State Orchestra participates to the celebrations for the 130 years of the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus.

The concert programme includes two of Mikis Theodorakis's most important works: the Mauthausen song cycle, based on Iakovos Kambanellis's poetry and the emblematic suite from Zorba the Greek, orchestrated by Dimitris Michas. Mauthausen is an emotional tribute to the Holocaust victims and one of the most harrowing combinations of Greek literature and music of the 20th century. Zorba, a literature figure representing the Greek spirit, freedom and power of life, shall be a counter-weight full of rhythm and passion.