A Tribute to Mikis Theodorakis
Sunday, January 28, 2024 // 4pm
St. Mary Magdalen Church // 2005 Berryman St // Berkeley, CA
The Kombos Collective presents Music of Resistance, an epic tribute to the late composer and activist Mikis Theodorakis. While best known internationally for his film scores (“Zorba the Greek” and “Z”), Theodorakis was a symbol of resistance throughout his life. The concert features original arrangements of “The Ballad of Mauthausen,” considered one of the greatest musical works about the Holocaust, as well as selections of “Canto General,” Theodorakis’ epic folk oratorio set to the poetry of Pablo Neruda.
Music of Resistance will premiere a new work titled “Chariot of Dragons” based on themes of resistance with original music by Costas Dafnis and poetry by Berkeley Councilmember Terry Taplin. This concert features the Berkeley Community Chamber Singers and mezzo soprano Melinda Martinez Becker as soloist.
Supported in part by a Civic Arts Grant from the City of Berkeley and from the Wattis Foundation.
Press
January 16, 2024
Paying Tribute to Rebel and Composer Mikis Theodorakis
Jeff Kaliss, San Francisco Classical Voice
December 22, 2023
GCMP to Live-Stream Theodorakis Tribute
Stephen Smoliar, The Rehearsal Studio
Artists
Berkeley Community Chamber Singers
Ellie Falaris Ganelin, director & flute
Costas Dafnis, music director, composer & arranger
Melinda Martinez Becker, mezzo soprano
Mike Smith, guitar
Byron Hogan, cello
Mary-Victoria Voutsas, piano
Sage Baggott, percussion