The Australian Hellenic Choir captivated a packed Sir John Clancy Auditorium at the University of New South Wales on Sunday, June 1, with a spellbinding performance of A Portrait of Greece — a concert that seamlessly wove together ancient traditions, modern storytelling, and the rich migration history of the Greek Australian community.
Opening the evening, President of the Australian Hellenic Choir, Jim Tsolakis, described the choir’s mission as one of cultural storytelling.
“The Choir delivers… the stories of our history, our culture and our language… it delivers this to the Greek community, to the diaspora. We just do it differently… we sing it,” Mr Tsolakis said.
He commended the dedication of choir members, saying, “Singing is a God-given talent, a skill to do good in this world and to bring happiness to people.”
Mr Tsolakis also farewelled the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Ioannis Mallikourtis, presenting him with a gift on behalf of the Choir.
“We know you love our choir and we want you to remember us wherever you find yourself in the future. We wish you a safe journey and new horizons,” he said.
Music Director Leon Vitogiannis reflected on the significance of the commissioned works in the evening’s program, calling them “the first major step in building a living repertoire that reflects our unique voice as a Greek Australian community.”
He described the performance as “an offering from within the community, for the community and beyond,” and emphasised that Greek music is not something static: “It is alive and evolving. It lives in our homes. It lives in our gatherings… and tonight, it is here on stage.”
The concert opened with Seikilos’ Epitaph, widely regarded as the oldest surviving complete musical composition, performed hauntingly on recorder by Despina Haise. This was followed by a set of Asia Minor songs by Giannis Konstantinidis, reimagined with moving vocal solos by Joanne Mason and Haise. Each piece echoed with the emotional textures of a displaced yet enduring culture.
The highlight of the first half was a suite of newly commissioned works centred on migration. The Place by Aristea Mellos, Skeptomorfes by Stefanos Maragkakis, and Pearls in the Depths by Klearhos Murphy brought the audience on a journey across memory, sea, and spirit. Rich in lyrical and musical innovation, each work offered a different window into the Greek Australian experience, with all three composers in attendance — including Murphy, who had travelled from Melbourne.
Following intermission, the audience was treated to Nikos Skalkottas’ Five Greek Dances, a vibrant homage to regional folk traditions reimagined through a modern orchestral lens. Young guest soloist Dionysia Dragonas then delivered a heartfelt performance of Songs My Mother Taught Me, stirring a sense of nostalgia among many in the audience.
The final act paid tribute to the musical roots of mainland and island Greece. From the patriotic Thourios Tou Riga to the tender notes of Thalassaki Mou and a joyous Nisiotiko medley, the choir closed the evening with a rousing celebration of cultural pride.
Among the distinguished guests in attendance were His Grace Bishop Iakovos of Miletoupolis, representing His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia; His Excellency Mr Stavros Venizelos, Ambassador of Greece; and the Consul General Mr Mallikourtis.
The success of the evening would not have been possible without the vision of the Choir committee, the creativity of its collaborators, and the generous support of sponsors. Their commitment ensured that A Portrait of Greece was not merely a concert, but a living testament to Greek Australian identity — resonant, relevant, and reverberating across generations.
