100 Years of Mikis Theodorakis – “Zorba the Greek”Iconic film scores and songs
A whole century of Mikis Theodorakis – a musical homage to one of the 20th century’s premier composers. This concert is part of the official Mikis Theodorakis Year 2025 and honours the composer and his diverse body of work.
A whole century of Mikis Theodorakis – a musical homage to one of the 20th century’s premier composers. This concert is part of the official Mikis Theodorakis Year 2025 and honours the composer and his diverse body of work.
World premiere
A world premiere takes centre stage: For the first time ever, the complete soundtrack to Zorba the Greek – the work that came to define the musical soul of Greece – will be performed live and on the original instruments used for the legendary 1964 recording.
Bouzoukis, lutes and the filigree santouri merge with clarinet and violin in skilfully interwoven orchestral arrangements to create an impressive listening experience that merges tradition and artistic expression.
Performing the music will be Estoudiantina Neas Ionias – Greece’s most renowned traditional orchestra – under the baton of Andreas Katsigiannis, a long-time companion and musical confidant of Theodorakis, whom the composer personally entrusted with the re-orchestration of many of his works.
Soloists
The evening will feature three of the premier voices of Greek song.
Dimitris Mpasis, born in Stuttgart and raised in northern Greece, is one of the most distinctive voices of modern Greek music. He worked closely with Mikis Theodorakis, including in To tragoudi tou nekrou aderfou (The Song of the Dead Brother), and is known for his authentic performances of Theodorakis’ work.
Sofia Manousaki, a charismatic singer from Crete, was described by Theodorakis himself as a “significant revelation”. With over 200 concerts and several gold studio albums under her belt, she personifies the combination of vocal power, emotion and the deep soul of Greek music.
Nefeli Fasouli, one of Greece’s most exciting young voices, is known for her expressive blend of jazz, folk and art music. Her elegant, modern take of Theodorakis’ songs propels them into a new, timeless context.
Together the three embody the emotional and artistic diversity of Theodorakis’ music – from heartfelt lyrics to passionate anthems.
Also on the programme
- Popular soundtracks: some of Theodorakis’ best-known film scores, including Z (1969), Serpico (1973) and The Honeymoon Song (1959) – an enchanting love song that was made famous by The Beatles.
- Unforgettable songs: The second part of the evening features some of Theodorakis’ most important songs – poems by great Greek authors set to music, sung in many languages and revered all over the world.
With
- Dimitris Mpasis (vocals)
- Sofia Manousaki (vocals)
- Nefeli Fasouli (vocals)
- Estoudiantina Neas Ionias Ensemble: Nikos Mermigkas Busuki (lute), Kosatas Gedikis (bouzouki, mandolin, bağlama), Sotirios Margonis (violin), Stavros Kouskouridas (clarinet), Dimos Vougioukas (accordion), Takis Vassiliou (percussion), Dimitris Koufogeorgos (guitar), Kostas Konstantinou (double bass), Kostas Retsios (piano), Evi Mazi (vocals, flute), Thanasis Matzilis (vocals),
- Andreas Katsigiannis (musical director, santouri)
This event is part of the international Mikis Theodorakis Centenary, which commemorates the artist, humanist and musical visionary all over the world.
