To coincide with the Alexander the Great: 2000 Years of Treasures exhibition the Greek Festival of Sydney has collaborated with the Australian Museum to present the Empire Music program. The influence of Alexander’s empire will be celebrated through three very different music events. The program kicks off with East of Athens, back by popular demand.
Last year’s sold out performance at the Prince Henry Centre left the audience wanting more and prompted public programmer Theodora Minas Gianniotis to contact Festival organisers to include this exceptional event as part of the special music program. “Alexander’s legacy is not just the lands he conquered but his diffusion of the Hellenistic culture on the lands he conquered. This includes his influence on music and what better way to celebrate this than through these music events” said Theodora
Festival chair Nia Karteris added “It is a great honour for the Greek Festival of Sydney to be presenting these events with the Australian Museum to coincide with one of the greatest exhibitions seen in Sydney”
East of Athens will take the audience on a musical journey through the melodies and songs of the Eastern, Turkish and Arabic lands. The music will be supplemented with brief poems and stories created by these people, whose traditions are individually distinctive but linked by geography, history and cultural exchange.
The program includes music by Kostas Polydoropoulos and Karlos Giourtalis; the Diaspora Ensemble (Kiriaki Koubaroulis, Dimitrios Koubaroulis and John Robinson); Sounds of Mesopotamia and the Andalusian Arabic Choir
East of Athens will take place on Saturday 9 March at 7:00 pm for $27 (adults) and $25 (concession). Exhibition tickets on sale on the night exclusive to Empire Music event ticketholders $14. Bookings can be made through the Greek Festival of Sydney – Phone (02) 9750 0440 or email greekfestival2@goc.com.au