Acclaimed Cypriot musician and performer Larkos Larkou will be appearing in Melbourne in August to launch his CD and book. Titled Gods Have Built Here Their First Kingdom, the CD is composed of music written by Larkos Larkou and based on the work of the Cypriot national poet Vasilis Michaelides.
The work consists of the poetry of Vasilis Michaelides set to music, in the Cypriot dialect as well as Greek language. It is an ambitious project, the preparation of which took eight years and incorporates 17 poems.
Extensive extracts of Michaelides’ masterpieces are interpreted, such as 9th July, The Woman from Chios, and The Fairy. The choice of verses is such that aside from the recognisable ethnic aspect of Vasilis Michaelides’ poetry, they highlight an intense eroticism that is relatively unknown to the public.
The CD includes performances by many acclaimed Greek and Cypriot singers, such as Yiannis Kotsiras, Alkinoos Ioannides, Vasilis Papakostantinou, Petros Gaitanos, Manolis Mitsias, Kostas Hatzis, Christina Christofis and Christiana Larkou.
Musically, the compositions are an impressive mix of the retro period of the 1900s, Byzantine, provincial and modern styles, authentically reflecting the many facets of this unique Cypriot poet. The Cypriot public and Diaspora embraced the project despite the challenging economic environment, and the work was released in a second edition just one year after the first edition.
The bi-lingual CD and book launch, presented in Greek by Christiana Larkou and in English by Anthea Sidiropoulos, will be accompanied by the performance of poetry and songs from the album by Larkos Larkou, as well as video screenings by artists featured on the CD. Also performing are local musicians, vocalists and narrators, including Byron Triantafillidis, Anthea Sidiropoulos, Dimitris Hoplaros and Theano Milides.
Details:
Aug. 23, 7 p.m. – Pre-launch concert featuring Larkos and Christiana Larkou, Achilles Yiangoulli and Anthea Sidiropoulos performing a Cypriot-Greek mix of traditional and contemporary well-loved songs.
Ithacan Philanthropic Society, Level 2/329 Elizabeth Street. $15
Tickets: larkou23.eventbrite.com.au
Aug. 24, 7 p.m. –
Cyprus Community of Melbourne
495-511 Lygon Street, East Brunswick. $15
Tickets: larkou24.eventbrite.com.au
Aug. 25, 3 p.m.
Cyprus Community of Melbourne
495-511 Lygon Street, East Brunswick. $15
Tickets: larkou25.eventbrite.com.au
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