Rebetiko Reimagined: A modern twist on Greek Blues by the Australian Hellenic Choir

The Australian Hellenic Choir Inc. will hold its latest concert event “Rebetiko Reimagined,” featuring Rebetiko music arranged for the modern era, at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music on Saturday, October 19 from 7pm.

The concert will feature arrangements by Leon Vitogiannis, the Choir Music Director, and Stefanos Maragkakis, the Choir Pianist. Collaborating, they have arranged traditional Rebetika for a 30-piece orchestra featuring a modern twist. The Choir will perform a number of famous Rebetika songs.

“Rebetika is the urban popular Greek music of the poorest classes of the first half of the 20^th century,” James Tsolakis, the Choir’s Founder and President, said.

“Often referred to as ‘Greek Blues,’ we are proud of the work undertaken by Leon and Stefanos in arranging this music to bring about a reimagined version for the new generation of Greeks around the world.”

The Australian Hellenic Choir is a multi-cultural and multi-lingual group formed to bring the best music of the world to Australian and Greek audiences. Following the recent successful concert at the Sydney Town Hall for the 100 year anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, this concert will deliver international choral standards to the audience.

In the words of Elias Petropoulos, folklorist and urban historian, “the rebetic songs are the most accessible source of information about the life and attributes of the rebetes. They contain a variety of themes: love, poverty, jail, the underworld, death, hashish, etc., but about half the songs are concerned with love, particularly lost love and unrequited love.”

All net proceeds from this event will be donated to a number of charities that support the homeless.  Tickets are $79 per person with $69 concession tickets available. Tickets for the event are available via the Choir’s Facebook Page and via Humanitix.

For additional information about the Australian Hellenic Choir or this event, membership and auditions please call: James Tsolakis, AHC President: 0416 060 700; Despina Lucas, AHC Vice President: 0438 289 699; or email ah.choiraust@gmail.com. For Sponsorship or Benefactor Enquiries, please call: 0416 060 700.

Event Details:

• What: ‘Rebetiko Reimagined’ concert by the Australian Hellenic Choir
• When: Saturday, October 19
• Where: Sydney Conservatorium of Music (1 Conservatorium Rd, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia)
• Time: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm AEDT
• Tickets: $79 per person with $69 concession tickets available. Buy here: https://bit.ly/3SlQMPN