THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2010
THE GREEK STAR
A r t s & E n t e r ta i n m e n t
‘Light of Greece’ and Mario Frangoulis Bring New Life to Classic Poetry and Music an introduction to his work, and they’ve become devoted fans. The singer loves to sing difCHICAGO—The world preferent styles of music, and says he miere of a magnificent producloves what music does to people. “I tion called “The Light of Greece: love opera very much, but I don’t A Celebration of Greek Song and want to be boxed into one category. Poetry” brought the golden voice I‘ve enjoyed working with classiof tenor Mario Frangoulis to Chical singers as well modern singcago this past week. Frangoulis ers. I’m happy for the chance to performed with Greek-French appeal to a much bigger audience.” singer George Perris and Boston’s He’s working on a new CD of acclaimed Greek Music Ensemble, Hatzidakis songs that will be out at Skokie’s North Shore Center for in May as well as a new internathe Performing Arts on April 18. tional recording coming in OcThe show brought to life some of tober, called ”Beautiful Things.” the greatest poetry and music by Frangoulis brimmed with exseveral of Greece’s most legendary citement speaking about “The composers and poets, introducing Light of Greece.” “We’re sharing them to a whole new generation. our passion and love for all the muThe popular singer arrived in sic and poetry we love, and have Chicago a few days earlier for proloved over the years. It’s a difficult motional stops, as well as a pritime for Greece; they’re struggling. vate reception hosted by Dr. Dame We don’t want the world to have Evangeline Gouletas at her Cité a bad image of Greece. We want Fine Dining Restaurant at the top them to know it for its beauty,” of Lake Point Tower. There, he grahe described. “We try, through ciously greeted fans and spoke about the music, to have that connecthe upcoming show and his love for Mario Frangoulis Photo © 2005 tion with the audiences. We aren’t Greece and its rich musical heritage. Todd Kaplan. trying to deny what’s happening, Born in Rhodesia, now Zimbabut rather, we focus on the beauty, bwe, in 1966, it was a time of great political upheaval. His parents con- he played the leading role in “Lu- through the music of Hatzidakis, sidered it too dangerous, and sent cia di Lammermoor” at the Civic Markopoulos, etc. We’re workhim to Greece at the age of four, Opera House, and I learned a lot ing with talented musicians who where Frangoulis was raised by his from his masterful technique in studied at Berkelee College, as maternal aunt. “I attended Greek voice production. He was so help- well as George Perris, who at 25 school until I was 12. Then I went ful in my career. No matter what is an amazing singer, and he has to a private English school,” he path – grand opera, pure pop song embraced this type of music. He’s stated. Frangoulis is fluent in sev- or other genre - he helped enor- holding on to the Greek songs eral languages, including English, mously to get the tone focused and of the past and bringing it to a French, Greek, Italian and Span- my voice placed in the right place.” younger generation. It’s important for people to unish. He was raised with derstand our culture. entertainment all around Young people are athim. Well-known Greek tracted to it – Greek actress Rena Vlahopouand non-Greek. Our lou is his aunt. “My fampurpose – our mission ily was always singing, – is to show the world day and night. My Uncle the light of Greece, Vangelis taught me my from inside out. Great first Neapolitan song, songs give you the ‘Mama,’” he recalled. power, the strength to Frangoulis studied the carry you and make violin for 12 years at the you feel like you are National Conservatoire part of a great world in Athens, where he and a great nation that learned to read and write has given so much to music. He also sang in a children’s choir, and Dr. Dame Evangeline Gouletas (center) hosted a pri- the rest of the world. later, an adult choir. vate reception for Mario Frangoulis (left) and George We want to rise up, He loved to sing, but Perris (right) at her Cité Fine Dining Restaurtant at the perform well, and as Greeks feel proud of it would be years until top of Lake Point Tower in Chicago. what we have. If we he’d consider singing as stay together – and a career; he wanted to be work together – we an actor. At the age of 17, he went Horne suggested that he come to London to attend the Guildhall to New York and study at the famed can rise up from difficult situations School of Music and Drama. “The Juilliard School of Music. He came and better our circumstances.” The production, the first of its theater was my number one pas- in 1992. In addition to her mentorsion. After I graduated, I joined ship, Frangoulis calls her “a great kind, combines the works of great the Royal Shakespeare Company. teacher.” Through Horne, he also poets, including Odysseus Elytis, I appeared in various productions, gained the opportunity to study with George Seferis, Kostes Palamas, including ‘Les Misérables,’ at one Canadian soprano Dodi Potero. He Dionysios Solomos, Nikos Gatpoint doing eight shows a week. I graduated from Juilliard in 1995. sos and others, set to music by played Marius, the young romantic Frangoulis competed and won eminent composers Hatzidakis, lead. Later I performed in ‘Phantom the Luciano Pavarotti International Theodorakis, Markopoulos, Paof the Opera.’” Marius is one of his Voice Competition in Philadelphia, pademetriou, Xarhakos and more. favorite roles, which Frangoulis which was created to pay homage “They’re very meaningful works refers to as the role that “initiated to the famous tenor as well as his that are well-loved,” Frangoulis my career. It’s very close to my interest in young, fresh voices. “I stated. The program was created by heart and to me as a personality, was the first Greek person to win Professor Athan H. Anagnostopouand as a character. He’s a romantic the competition. It’s an honor, los, founder of the Greek Institute character, willing to sacrifice his since I am so proud of our heritage, in Boston, along with Frangoulis life for his friends and the people culture, poetry – everything that and Elias Malandris. This program he loves. I’m very similar to that.” makes us Greek. From the energy, underscores the mission of the InFrangoulis portrayed Tony in a our love for life, to the beautiful stitute, which was founded specifiproduction of “West Side Story,” deep blue sea, to the arts,” he said. cally to showcase the richness of at the famed La Scala in Milan. In 1996, he made his Greek Greek culture, and to bring to light “Performing at La Scala was such debut as Billy Kracker in “Happy the formidable artistic and cultural an amazing experience,” he told End” by Kurt Weill at the Theatro reach that Greece has in the world. The Greek Star. “I was part of Teknis in Athens. He received much Demetra Anagnostopoulos, also the last performance there, prior positive media attention, and from with the Institute, has been inteto it being refurbished in 2000. there he’d become an active part of gral to the project, and Frangoulis A new millennium and perform- the Greek scene. Later that year, he became involved on her invitation. ing a lead role at La Scala, made sang at the Herod Atticus Theater, “The program is so important --so me feel on top of the world.” where he portrayed Orpheus in that all generations of Greek AmerIn 1989, while still at Guildhall, “Orpheus Liturgy.” “This was the icans can be exposed to the best a friend noting that Frangoulis had first time I was able to work with Greece has to offer, in a way that a stunning tenor voice, suggested (composer) Yannis Markopoulos. is accessible to them,” she added. The show moves to Jazz at he audition for the Maria Callas Mikis Theodorakis was conductScholarship for Opera. “Winning ing, and this led to many opportu- Lincoln Center in New York on the scholarship took me in a whole nities with him,” Frangoulis added. April 30 and May 1, Boston on new direction,” he stated. After he He played the lead bird in Aristo- May 7 and Baltimore on May 15. Perris, who was born to a French completed “Les Mis,” he auditioned phanes’ “The Birds,” which took and won a spot to study with tenor him all over Greece, including a mother and Greek father, grew up Carlo Bergonzi at the Verdi Acad- performance at the ancient theater in Athens. “When I was growing emy in Busseto, Italy. “The school at Epidavros, which is a highlight up, it was Greek at school and with was home to many young opera of his career. Frangoulis continued friends, and French at home,” he singers, from all over the world.” to perform in musical productions shared. He’s wanted to be a singer In 1990, Frangoulis moved to and around the world, including since he was three. At the age of 18, Rome. Singer Marilyn Horne, who Greece, which he still calls home. he was discovered by famous Greek became a mentor to him as well, In the fall of 2006, Frangou- jazz singer Mimis Plessas. The introduced him to the renowned lis performed at Chicago’s Sym- singer has already garnered quite Spanish tenor Alfredo Krause. phony Center, in a benefit for a following. “I have lots of respect After auditioning, he became the National Hellenic Museum. and love for music and art.” His Krause’s private student. “He was For many Chicagoans, it was CD “Pairno Anasa” was released
By Maria A. Karamitsos
a big mentor, a friend and a major influence on my singing. Wherever he traveled to perform, I went with him. Ultimately, I sang with him and met people he was singing for. I came to Chicago when
2nd Annual Greek Dance and Choral Competition
The
Book Shelf By Themi Vasils The Whispering Voices of Smyrna By Dr. Niki Karavasilis Published by Red Lead Press ISBN:: 978-14349-6381-9 “Whispering Voices of Smyrna” details the horrible atrocities which the Turks committed by plundering, torturing, mutilating, burning alive and massacring women, children and aged people. These acts were aimed at cleansing lands under Turkish control from non-Muslim citizens. This Genocide was perpetrated systematically and repeated through the years 1890-1974. The perpetration of these crimes always took meticulous care so as not to
in 2008 and includes a duet with Frangoulis. He’s currently recording a French album to be released in Canada, France, Belgium and Russia. “It’s brought me the opportunity to meet and work with Lara Fabian, one of the top five divas in the world, and we’ll tour together.” Chicago’s sold out performance has brought rave reviews. Concert-goers can’t stop talking about the “beautiful performance.” Comments such as “each song was more incredible than the last,” “it was breathtaking,” “a magical evening,” could be heard. Proceeds from the show benefit the upcoming America’s Greek Dance and Choral Competition, May 7-9 in Chicago. Chicagoans, Greek and non-Greek alike, are absolutely in love with Frangoulis – and Ferris, for that matter. The Light of Greece is shining brightly in Chicago.
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leave traces in order to cover up any incriminating evidence. This was the case with the fire in 1922 of Smyrna. In the book, the saga of a Greek family, the Samithakis family lived a life of luxury among the different nationalities in Smyrna, until the Turks forced them to flee with other Greek, Armenian and European residents of Smyrna. Through the eyes of the Samithakis family, one lives the cataclysmic events that determined the fate of Asia Minor following World War I. Dr. Niki Karavasilis is also the author of “Scattered Leaves… The Abducted Greek Children of the Communists: Paidomazoma” and “Reaching America.”
Comedian Ellen Karis to perform The Hellenic American Academy, 1085 Lake Cook Rd., Deerfield, IL, presents two live shows with the Greek-American rising star of stand-up comedy Ellen Karis in “Greek Chicks Rule!” The shows will be held on Friday, April 30 at 7:30 pm, at the academy and on Saturday, May 1, at 7:30 pm at the academy. Opening for Karis is Nicolas Livaditis and Aris Theotokatos. Donation, which includes an appetizer buffet, is $25 for adults and $10 for children ages 16 and under. For reservations call (847) 317-1063.
CHICAGO—The Second Annual America’s Greek Dance & Choral Competition, under the auspices of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad USA Region Youth Network, will take place May 7-9. The event will take place at the the Cretan Fraternity, 5941 North Milwaukee in Chicago. Participants will have the opportunity to attend Greek folk dance workshops with instructors from Greece, including Vasilis Contos, Jordan Elrod and Sandy Papadopoulos, teaching dances from the Dodecanese Islands, Crete and Pontos. The weekend’s festivities include an outing to the Fourth Annual Cretan Youth Glendi, on May 8 at the Chateau Rtz in Niles. AGDC participants will pay a reduced ticket price. The Glendi features live entertainment from musicians from Crete. To register, call 312. 627.1821 or email agdcinco@att.net. Visit the website for more information, at www.goagdc.com.
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