Axion Esti (It Is Worthy), the famous oratorio based on Nobel prizewinner Odyseas Elytis’ poetry, set to music by Greece’s most recognised composer Mikis Theodorakis, will be performed for the first time in Australia as part of the Sydney Greek Festival.
The City Recital Hall will open its gates on Saturday 18 April to welcome international vocalist Vasilis Lekkas on stage, who, along with Greek Australian actor Tony Nikolakopoulos, will convey the passion and spirituality of this masterpiece to the audience.
Renowned Greek Australian director and conductor George Ellis (Lou Reed’s orchestra and Sneaky Sound System), will lead the Millennium Choir as well as the past and present Sydney Conservatory students, while Theodorakis’ mesmerising melodies come to life.
Elytis’ ode to passion and spirituality, which won him the National Book Award for Poetry in 1960, has always been on Ellis’ list.
The musical director is delighted to be conducting both groups at the same time in an effort to fully embrace Axion Esti’s cultural and artistic heritage.
“I love working with live symphony orchestras, particularly with a big choir, and that doesn’t always happen,” said George Ellis, who also led the orchestras for the Athens Olympics and Jakarta Arts Festival.
“Conductors normally work with an orchestra alone, but this is something special for me, to conduct a large symphony orchestra and choir to opera singers is just fantastic, it’s magic.”
Axion Esti is Greece’s most celebrated anthem, inspired by the country’s turbulent modern history. The symphony contains Theodorakis’ favourite melodies such as Ena To Helidoni (A Solitary Swallow) and Tis Dikeosinis Ilie (Sun of Justice). It has been described as a timeless piece of musical beauty, combining immaculate techniques. Tickets are available from $69.
*For bookings and more information call 8256 2222 or enter cityrecitalhall.com