Melbourne’s celebrated Greek ensemble, Estudiantina of Melbourne, is set to perform a moving tribute concert titled Songs of the Soul on Friday 25 July at the iconic Bird’s Basement.
The evening honours two of the most influential voices in Greek urban music, Rita Abadzi and Kostas Roukounas.
Following their successful East Coast tour and the release of their debut album, Estudiantina of Melbourne returns home to showcase the raw emotion and storytelling of early 20th-century Greek music. This special performance will revive the haunting beauty of smyrneika, amanedes, and classic rebetiko, transporting audiences into the soulful landscapes of a bygone era.
Rita Abadzi and Kostas Roukounas were pioneers of Greek laiko and rebetiko, shaping the musical and emotional vocabulary of generations. With their passionate delivery and deeply rooted connection to everyday life and migration stories, their songs remain as powerful today as they were nearly a century ago.
Estudiantina of Melbourne – meaning ‘Students of Melbourne’ – brings a multicultural lens to this repertoire, featuring musicians of Greek, Anglo-German, and Lebanese heritage, reflecting the vibrant diversity of the city they call home. Through masterful arrangements and heartfelt renditions, they will breathe new life into the legacy of these legendary artists.
When: Friday, 25 July – Door open at 6pm for a 7.30pm start
Where: Bird’s Basement, Melbourne
Bookings: birdsbasement.com/show/1517/songs-of-the-soul-rita-abadzi-kostas-roukounas-show
Info: Con Kalamaras, 0419 194 030 or conkalamaras73@gmail.com
