The Greek Festival of Sydney will conclude its celebrated program with a spectacular symphony orchestra event, ‘Τα Κινηματογραφικά: Songstresses of the Golden Age of Greek Cinema.’

This grand finale will take place on Sunday, May 11th at 6.30 pm at the Verbruggen Hall of the Conservatorium of Music, promising an epic showcase of timeless songs from Greece’s golden age of cinema (roughly the 1940s-1970s).

Conductor George Ellis, a recurring collaborator with the Greek Festival, expressed his immense pleasure in bringing this concert to life. He highlighted the beauty and enduring popularity of these songs, predominantly made famous by iconic female artists such as Aliki Vougiouklaki and Melina Mercouri.

“These ladies from the 20th century sang these songs and they made them famous,” Mr Ellis said. “So, we thought we would take these songs, set them to orchestra and perform them in one concert.”

Mr Ellis has personally orchestrated these beloved melodies for the performance and shared his excitement for the resulting sound, particularly in combination with the exceptional vocalist, Dioni Vertzayas.

“Dioni and I go way back and when the Greek Festival of Sydney decided to put on this concert, we welcomed it with open arms because we thought it was a wonderful idea,” Mr Ellis stated. 

“Dioni is an exceptional performer. She has class, style, and a great voice. Her voice, backed by a full symphony orchestra and, of course, a Greek band of bouzoukia, piano, drums, and bass, will be a magical sound.”

Ms Vertzayas echoed this enthusiasm, expressing her delight in performing in Sydney and collaborating with Mr Ellis and his orchestra for the first time.

“I am thrilled that we will be presenting these iconic songs in a different way than they are usually heard,” Ms Vertzayas said. “Some of these songs I have grown up listening to and so am eager to interpret them in my own way.”

She noted her particular excitement for performing the powerful ballads of Tzeni Vanou, while also acknowledging the challenge of tackling historically significant songs outside her usual repertoire, such as “Αυτή η νύχτα μένει” (This Night Remains).

Mr Ellis emphasised the unique richness the symphony orchestra brings to Greek music, especially to songs not originally orchestrated. 

“There is nothing quite like the colours of the symphony orchestra,” he explained. “It is the colours of the orchestra that make something richer. They give it much more colour. To compare it visually, it would be like the difference between presenting a black and white painting only as opposed to one full of colour.”

He stressed that this orchestral treatment will offer audiences, even those deeply familiar with the original recordings, a truly special and unique experience. 

“There is such a point of difference to these songs that people know from movies or heard on record, where all of a sudden you can now hear it with cello, viola, violins. It is just an exceptional colour,” Mr Ellis said.

Mr Ellis commended the Greek Festival of Sydney for their vision and dedication. 

“The Greek Festival of Sydney is amazing. They are ideas people. They come up with these brilliant ideas where many would wonder ‘how can you achieve it?’ and they do it,” he said, praising their dedicated team.

He underscored the importance of supporting cultural events like this, despite the significant effort and expense involved. 

“It is worth it because you cannot put a price on culture. Culture is worth every single cent that people will allow it to have,” he said.

In conclusion, Mr Ellis highlighted the crucial role of the Greek Festival of Sydney in “promoting and nurturing Greek culture, our identity, and our place in Sydney, Australia and the world.” 

“I take my hat off to the Festival for being brave, being forward thinkers, being innovators, being preservers of culture, and I just hope that continues. Knowing the Festival, it will continue,” he added.

Event Details:

• Event: Τα Κινηματογραφικά: Songstresses of the Golden Age of Greek Cinema
• Date: Sunday, May 11, 2025 | 6:30 PM AEST
• Venue: Verbruggen Hall, Conservatorium of Music, Sydney
• Tickets: https://bit.ly/FSFM-GFOS-110525

An unforgettable orchestral concert that will sell out! For more information on the Greek Festival of Sydney program and events please visit www.greekfestivalofsydney.com.au