NEW YORK, NY –Greek News USA
Τhe 100th anniversary of Maria Callas’ birthday will be celebrated along with her extraordinary contributions to the world of opera as a singer and actress through a narrative of her remarkable career, a series of archival film clips and live performances of the arias she made famous, at a spectacular event presented by the Hellenic-American Cultural Foundation, on September 27, 2023 at Merkin Concert Hall [Kaufman Music Center [129 W 67th Street, NYC].
Nicholas Gage, who wrote the internationally acclaimed biography of Maria Callas “Greek Fire,” will introduce the evening’s event and provide a background of Callas’ career.
Maria Asteriadou has put together a trio of extremely talented young Greek artists consisting of mezzo-soprano Sophia Pelekasis, pianist Georgia Lazaridou, and violinist Christoforos Petridis, who will present Callas’ most famous works.
- Currently a student at The Juilliard School in New York, Ms. Pelekasis has performed at the Greek embassy in Washington, DC, and has appeared in several operatic productions at The Catholic University of America.
- Ms. Lazaridou has given acclaimed performances worldwide, including those at the Athens Megaron Concert Hall, the Chetham International Festival, and the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.
- Mr. Petridis graduated from the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki. He has won numerous awards in national and international competitions, and has performed at the Athens Megaron, Vienna Musikverein, and Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. He is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree at Kutztown University under the tutelage of Kurt Nikkanen.
As one music historian wrote, in her brief lifetime Maria Callas “bestowed upon the world more music, more art, and more humanity than any other individual in the 20th century”. Through the young musicians of today, her influence continues and inspires future generations.
A reception will follow the event.
The Hellenic-American Cultural Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, was established to promote high quality and relevant educational and cultural programs, concerts, lectures, exhibitions, and similar events for all persons interested in the history, culture and affairs of Greece and its people and the Greek Diaspora.
Please visit hacfoundation.org for more details.
