Anniversary of the Ionian Islands’ union with Greece


ionian-islandsThe Athens Festival has joined forces with the Associations of Ionians to mark the 150th anniversary of the Ionian Islands’ union with Greece (on May 21, 1864) with a celebratory concert. This “night full of wonders, night girt with magic” is dedicated to the work of four of the most popular representatives of the Ionian School of Music: its founder, Nikolaos H. Mantzaros, who composed the Greek national anthem, Pavlos Carrer, Denis Lavranga and Spyridon Samaras. A large, and largely Ionian, ensemble will muster on the Herodion’s stage for the concert, with six leading opera singers backed by twelve of the most representative choirs in the Ionian Islands, and a symphony orchestra conducted by Iakovos Konitopoulos. The concert is directed by Tonis Lykouresis.