Distinguished composer and Nobel Prize-winning poet celebrated by 42nd Greek Festival of Sydney at City Recital Hall.

The works of composer, Mikis Theodorakis and Nobel Prize-winning poet, Odysseas Elytis will be celebrated in Axion Esti on Saturday 11 May 2024, 8pm at the City Recital Hall as part of the 42nd Greek Festival of Sydney. 

This incredible collaboration showcases the talent of international vocalist Dimitris Basis, renowned Greek Australian conductor George Ellis, Chanter George Karatonis, a 30-piece Choir, and narration by Greek Australian actor Tony Nikolakopoulos.

Odysseas Elytis' (1911- 1996) landmark work, Axion Esti (1959) was set to music by Mikis Theodorakis and became a widely-celebrated anthem. Combining suffering and passion, spiritual lessons and poetic power, Axion Esti - widely held to be Elytis’ masterpiece - won the National Book Award for Poetry in 1960.

Mikis Theodorakis – composer of the legendary Zorba’s Dance – is Greece’s most celebrated composer. He has written more than 1,000 songs and song-cycles whose melodies have become intrinsically linked with the heritage of Greek music. This unique event honours his legacy and celebrates the sheer musical beauty and timelessness of his masterwork compositions. 

As part of the Axion Esti concert, Theodorakis’ most famous melodies including Ena To Helidoni (A Solitary Swallow) and Tis Dikeosinis Ilie (Sun of Justice) will be performed as an Australian premiere in a special collaboration between Sydney based 30-piece Choir, a symphony orchestra and an array of musicians performing on traditional Greek instruments.

Don’t miss this magnificent concert as part of the 42nd Greek Festival of Sydney 2024, celebrating the enduring presence of Greek culture in Australia.

• Artists

  Dimitris Basis

  International Vocalist

  George Ellis

  Director and Conductor

  George Karantonis

  Cantor

  Tony Nikolakopoulos

  Narrator

  George Doukas

  Director Greek Band