In a historic cultural event that marks the culmination of an extraordinary eight-year journey, world-renowned Greek vocalist Dimitris Basis returns to the stage with the students of the Newtown High School of the Performing Arts (NHSPA) for their fourth and final collaboration: “THE FINAL ENCORE.”
Organised under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW), this strictly limited engagement will take place on April 29 and 30, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the NHSPA School Hall.
Reflecting on nearly a decade of partnership, Basis shared a deeply personal sentiment regarding the students he has come to mentor.
“Performing with the students of the Newtown High School of the Performing Arts has been one of the greatest honours of my international career,” he said.
“Every time I return to Australia, I am moved by their passion and the way they embrace the ‘global language’ of Greek music. I have full confidence that this journey will not end here; it is my dream and my firm belief that these talented young artists will soon visit Greece to present their incredible artistic flair on our home soil.”
The partnership was sparked by NHSPA music teacher Emlyn Lewis-Jones, who followed Basis’ career for a decade after first seeing him perform on the island of Samos in 2008. In 2018, Basis visited the school and was so impressed by the orchestra and choir that he immediately committed to a joint project.
What followed was a series of landmark, sold-out collaborative concerts, culminating in the highly anticipated 2026 ‘The Final Encore’, the fourth and final chapter of this historic partnership.”
- 2019: Byzantium to Zorba – A debut that crossed cultural and age barriers.
- 2021: 200 Years: A Celebration of Greek Music – Marking the bicentenary of the Greek War of Independence.
- 2024: Music from the Heart – Their third major collaborative success.
- 2026: The Final Encore – The definitive final chapter of this historic partnership.
“THE FINAL ENCORE” promises an evocative journey through the pillars of Greek identity. The program features a powerful selection of works including:
- Fight for Freedom: Honouring the defenders of Messolonghi through the poetry of Dionysios Solomos and the music of Yannis Markopoulos, alongside the heroic folk anthem “Saranta Palikaria.”
- Urban Life & Struggle: A tribute to the resilience of the human spirit with classics like “Cloudy Sunday” (Vassilis Tsitsanis) and “Roza.” (Dimitris Mitropanos)
- Rebetika & Cinema: Exploring the “Greek Blues” of Markos Vamvakaris and cinematic masterpieces from films like Z and Never on Sunday.
- Global Echoes: Featuring legendary covers by international icons, including Edith Piaf’s “Beautiful City” and The Beatles’ rendition of “The Honeymoon Song” by Mikis Theodorakis.
Beyond his collaboration with NHSPA, Basis is a pillar of contemporary Greek music whose career began with a Diploma in Byzantine Music at age 17. Discovered by Stamatis Kraounakis at 20, he rose to international fame following the 1997 success of Psithiri Kardias, which sold over 120,000 copies.
A defining milestone occurred in 2001 when legendary composer Mikis Theodorakis ended a 17-year studio hiatus specifically to record To Tragoudi Tou Nekrou Adelfou with Basis, cementing his status as a premier cultural vocalist.
Apart from Basis, this final production brings together an elite team of musical directors and performers:
- George Doukas: An integral force in the Australian-Greek music scene, Doukas serves as the orchestrator for this tour, blending traditional Greek sounds with symphonic grandeur.
- Emlyn Lewis-Jones: The NHSPA orchestra director and former ABC Sinfonia violinist whose vision started this collaboration.
- Ynping Mak: A scholarship graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium and veteran of over 150 musical productions, leading the vocal and choral ensembles.
- Themelis Samarkos: A bouzouki virtuoso who brings the authentic, soulful “colour” of 1930s Rebetiko to the modern stage.
Event Details
- What: “THE FINAL ENCORE” Dimitris Basis & NHSPA
- When: April 29th & 30th, 2026 | 7:00 PM
- Where: Newtown High School of the Performing Arts Hall | 352 King St, Newtown, NSW 2042
- Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/DIYRH
Before the curtain falls on an eight-year journey, witness the magic one last time. This isn’t just a concert; it’s The Final Encore.
