On this day: Greek Singer Maria Farantouri was born

·

By Victoria Loutas

Maria Farantouri is a remarkable Greek singer and political activist, who has made immeasurable contributions to Greek music industry and greater society. She was born on November 28 in 1947 and has gone on to lead a successful and enriching life.

Maria Farantouri was born in 1947 in Athens Greece, to a working-class family. Like much of Europe, Greece was recovering from the devastation of WWII and the German Occupation, meaning most of her childhood was spent in hardship. 

By adolescence, she discovered her passion for singing by participating in the choir of The Society of Greek Music, a progessive organisation which worked to support new music based on Greek traditions. 

At age 16, Farantouri met the legendary Miki Theodorakis while she was training to become a classical singer. They immediately connected and formed the beginning of a life-long, artistic relationship. 

Four years later, in the spring of 1967, a group of right-wing army colonels seized power in Greece, and the brutal junta lasted until 1974. Under the junta, politically active Theodorakis was imprisoned and his progressive music was banned. During this time, Farantouri went into exile in Paris and later in London, where she became part of the social unrest sweeping the world.

Over the seven years that the junta lasted, Theodorakis managed to smuggle out manuscripts of his music to Farantouri, which she would record and release. In this time, Theodorakis and Farantouri produced several iconic protest recordings and contributed to the protest canon that was inspiring students and demonstrators globally.

Maria’s smoky contralto was the perfect vehicle for Theodorakis’ music, says Gail Holst-Warhaft, who published a biography of Theodorakis in 1981. Together, they made the perfect artistic pair. 

(Maria Farantouri and Mikis Theodorakis)

After the junta ended in 1974, Farantouri continued to develop her artistic career as she expanded her sound in a variety of directions, including jazz. 

While her career was blooming, she met Tilemachos Chytiris, Greek poet and politician who also aided in the anti-Junta movement. Together, they married and had one son, Stephanos. 

In the meantime, Farantouri continued her political activism and eventually was elected to the Greek parliament. She represented the Panhellenic Socialist Movement and served from 1989 to 1993. 

On 23 September 2004, the President of the Hellenic Republic recognized the contribution of Maria Farantouri to the Greek music industry, awarding her the Gold Cross of the Order of the Phoenix. 

The contributions Maria Farantouri made, not only as an artist but as a political activist in the anti-junta movement will forever be honoured and cherished. 

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Crete bears the brunt as severe storms slam Greek islands for second day

Severe storms continued to wreak havoc across Greece on Tuesday, April 1, with Crete bearing the brunt of the heaviest rainfall.

Melina Haritopoulou-Sinanidou: Redefining what it means to be a woman in Neuroscience

From Athens to Australia to the cutting edge of spinal cord research, Melina Haritopoulou-Sinanidou has never taken the easy road.

PRONIA responds to allegations by President of Victoria’s Greek Elderly Federation

PRONIA has responded to serious allegations made by John Kostoulias, President of the Federation of Greek Elderly Citizen Clubs in Victoria

The Cyprus War of Liberation: Honouring the sacrifice for a united and free island

It was to be a bloody cruel war, as the dwindling might of a fading empire became desperate to retain its global status.

Greek Rock to take over Sydney with rousing concert

The realm of Greek Rock is set to take centre stage in Sydney as IHO NYX prepares to thrill with a lively concert.

You May Also Like

Northern lights shine bright for the first time over Greece’s north

For the first time ever, the Northern Lights were seen all through Europe, including parts of Central Macedonia.

BREAKING: Greece to accept tourists from Australia and 28 other countries as of June 15

Greece on Friday listed 29 countries from where it will accept visitors as of June 15 on direct flights to Athens and to the northern city of Thessaloniki.

BAFTA-winning director Yorgos Lanthimos reunites with Emma Stone for new film ‘Poor Things’

Yorgos and Emma will be re-combining to make 'Poor Things', a modern Frankenstein spin-off adapted from Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel of the same name.