Protopsalti

Greek Music by Stavros Xarhakos and Alkistis Protopsalti! If you are you in love with Greek music, then listening to songs composed by  famous Greek composer Xarhakos and performed by famous Greek singer Alkistis Protopsalti should be added to your to-do list.


Alkistis Protopsalti and Stavros Xarchakos are two important figures of the Greek music scene. They first collaborated in May 2017 and have been touring around Greece ever since. The program combines the best songs of a major composer with the performance of a top singer.

In 2018 the Omilo team and students had the chance to attend an unforgettable concert of Stavros Xarchakos and Alkistis Protopsalti at the Cultural Center “Manos Eleftheriou” in Syros. They enjoyed it a lot and sang along. They took a lot of pictures and videos, one of which you can watch below.

A few words about Alkistis Protopsalti:

Alkistis Protopsalti was born in Alexandria, Egypt. As one of the most important Greek singers, she stars in the Greek discography for more than 40 years, with 28 personal albums, all of them golden or platinum. She has performed at the best theaters of Greece and in famous venues around the world along with great orchestras. She has collaborated with the major Greek composers (Mikis Theodorakis, Stamatis Spanoudakis, Giannis Spanos, Stefanos Korkolis, Evanthia Reboutsika) and the world-famous composer Goran Bregovic. Her shows are groundbreaking, and her stage performance unique.

A few words about Stavros Xarchakos:

Stavros Xarchakos is one of the most important Greek composers and conductors. He has written songs for more than 42 albums, 21 film scores and music for 15 TV productions. He mainly composed in the style of Greek Popular music (Laïká) but also classical music and music for ancient tragedies. He got internationally famous for composing the “Rembetiko” (1983) film score directed by Kostas Ferris. He has received many awards at film and music festivals and has served as director of the National Orchestra of Greek Music. He was involved in politics as a Member of the Greek Parliament and as a Member of the European Parliament.

Below one more short musical sample. Enjoy!

Na me thimasai kai na m’ agapas (1965) ‘Shall you remember me and love me’

Στίχοι: Βαγγέλης Γκούφας

Μουσική: Σταύρος Ξαρχάκος

Πρώτη εκτέλεση: Μελίνα Μερκούρη

 

Στα μάτια παίζει τ’ άστρο της αυγής

ο ήλιος πλένει τ’ όνειρο της γης

πλατύ ποτάμι η αγάπη και βαθύ

κουράστηκε και πάει να κοιμηθεί

 

Για ποιο ταξίδι κίνησες να πας

να με θυμάσαι και να μ’ αγαπάς

σου κλέβει η ανατολή μικρό φιλί

 

Στα χείλη καίει πικρό μικρό φιλί

ποιο μακρινό ταξίδι σε καλεί

θα φύγεις ξένε, άσπρα τα πανιά

παραμονεύει η λησμονιά

Lyrics: Vangelis Goufas

Music: Stavros Xarchakos

First version: Melina Merkouri


The star of dawn is shining in the eyes

The sun is washing the dream of earth away

Love is a broad and deep river

It got tired and parted to sleep

 

For which journey did you leave to set for?

Shall you remember me and love me

Sunrise is stealing a small kiss away from you

 

A bitter small kiss is burning on the lips

Which journey is calling for you?

You will depart, stranger, the sails are white

Oblivion is lurking

 

Are you interested to learn more about Greek music, « entechna songs » including;
information about the music genre,
composers, singers,
Greek songs with English translations,
and extra Greek exercises to improve your Greek?

Then take a look at the following eBooks, all made by the Omilo-team.

Are you interested to learn more about Greek music, including;
information about the music genre,
composers, singers,
Greek songs with English translations,
and extra Greek exercises to improve your Greek?

Then take a look at the following eBooks, all made by the Omilo-team.