NEW YORK, NY – GNUSA
The music of Manos Hadjidakis—an eternal source of inspiration and Greek pride—came alive on the evening of October 23 at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan, during a dazzling tribute marking 100 years since the birth of the legendary composer.
Titled “From Athens to New York: A Centenary Tribute to Manos Hadjidakis,” the event was organized by the Consulate General of Greece in New York, in collaboration with the Athens Conservatoire and the Choir of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. It served as a powerful moment of cultural connection between Greece and the United States.
The evening opened with a masterful performance by pianist Manos Kitsikopoulos of the Athens Conservatoire, who delivered a skillful interpretation of legendary works such as “Let’s Take a Walk to the Moon”, capturing with sensitivity the lyrical and universal spirit of Hadjidakis’ music.
Under the direction of distinguished baritone and music director Kostas Tsourakis, the Cathedral Choir performed beloved pieces including “I Will Tell You a Myth” and “Children of Piraeus”. Their harmony and emotional intensity moved the audience, reaffirming the timeless power of Greek musical tradition.
Archimandrite Chrysostomos Gilbert, Dean of the Cathedral, welcomed guests and expressed his joy in hosting “an evening where faith, culture, and art come together in a shared experience of spiritual elevation.”
Consul General Iphigenia Kanara warmly thanked the audience for their presence, noting that although Manos Hadjidakis spent most of his life in Greece, he also lived in New York for six formative years. “Tonight’s concert honors not only his memory and legacy,” she said, “but also his deep connection to this city he loved.”
Ms. Kanara also highlighted the Athens Conservatoire’s longstanding contribution to music, dance, and theater, emphasizing the importance of international collaborations in promoting Greek culture.
Dr. Nikolaos Tsouhlos, President of the Athens Conservatoire, described Hadjidakis as “embedded in Greece’s cultural DNA,” and called the concert “a new bridge of artistic collaboration between Athens and New York.” He praised the Conservatoire’s 150-year legacy of nurturing young talent and representing Greece on the global stage.
In his own remarks, conductor Kostas Tsourakis called Manos Hadjidakis “a poet of sound and a philosopher of melody,” noting that “through his art, he bridged East and West, classical and folk, the personal and the universal”.
The evening concluded with warm applause from a full house, recognizing the emotional and artistic value of the tribute. The Consulate General of Greece in New York expressed its sincere gratitude to all contributors, performers, and especially the audience, whose presence filled the Cathedral with warmth and reverence.
With the enthusiastic participation and love of the audience, the music of Manos Hadjidakis traveled once again across seas and borders — reminding us that his melodies are not merely sounds, but bridges of heart and memory that continue to unite Greece with the world.
