Cypriot musician and performer Larkos Larkou will be appearing in Melbourne in August to launch his CD and book.
Titled Gods Have Built Here Their First Kingdom, the CD is composed of music written by Larkos Larkou and based on the work of the Cypriot national poet Vasilis Michaelides, in the Cypriot dialect as well as the Greek language.
Extensive extracts of Michaelides’ masterpieces are interpreted, such as 9th July, The Woman from Chios and The Fairy.
The ambitious project, that took 8 years to finish, incorporates 17 poems and performances by acclaimed Greek and Cypriot singers – Yiannis Kotsiras, Alkinoos Ioannides, Vasilis Papakostantinou, Petros Gaitanos, Manolis Mitsias and others.
The compositions are an impressive mix of the retro period of the 1900s, Byzantine, provincial and modern styles, authentically reflecting the many facets of this unique Cypriot poet.
The bilingual CD and book launch, presented in Greek by Christiana Larkou and in English by Anthea Sidiropoulos, will be accompanied by the performance of poetry and songs from the album by Larkou, as well as video screenings by artists featured on the CD. Also performing will be local musicians, vocalists and narrators, including Byron Triantafillidis, Anthea Sidiropoulos, Dimitris Hoplaros and Theano Milides.
A pre-launch concert, featuring Larkos and Christiana Larkou, Achilles Yiangoulli and Anthea Sidiropoulos performing a Cypriot-Greek mix of traditional and contemporary well-loved songs, will be held at the Ithacan Philanthropic Society, Level 2/329 Elizabeth Street, on Friday 23 August, at 7.00 pm. Tickets are $15, and can be purchased at larkou23.eventbrite.com.au
Other performances include: Saturday 24 August at 7.00 pm and Sunday 25 August at 3.00 pm at Cyprus Community of Melbourne, 495-511 Lygon Street, East Brunswick.
For further information, contact (03) 9662 2722 or visit antipodesfestival.com.au