LAVRENTIS MACHAIRITSAS AND GIANNIS ZOUGANELIS ENCHANTED THE AUDIENCE
AND A SURPRISE PERFORMANCE BY GREEK STAR MARIO FRANGOULIS
Watch videos from this performance
Renowned legendary singer/songwriter Lavrentis Machairitsas who was AKTINA's guest in 2013 and 2015 returned to New York on November 3rd accompanied by Giannis Zouganelis, another leading Greek star and along with their distinguished band members gave an enchanting and captivating performance at Manhattan's historic theater, The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. Produced by Elena Maroulleti and co-presented by AKTINA Productions, Inc., and CYPRECO of America, Inc., the memorable concert from AKTINA's acclaimed series, Greek Music Journey was given to benefit public service media, AKTINA FM and AKTINA TV.
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Before a house of enthused guests comprised by Greek and non-Greek fans and supporters of AKTINA and CYPRECO, Machairitsas and Zouganelis presented a very uplifting and fully energized program filled with everlasting songs from their rich discographies, exceptional entertainment with comic skits by Zouganelis, also a renowned stand up comedian and many other special highlights including a performance by Greek singer Pavlina Voulgaraki and an impromptu surprise performance by Greek crossover classical tenor, Mario Frangoulis.
The band was comprised by some of the most distinguished musicians and soloists of Greece who have been collaborating with Machairitsas and Zouganelis for many years in live performances and in recordings. All of them played an important role as a group and as individuals. The audience enjoyed Alexandros Zouganelis, wind instruments, Akis Amprazis, bass, Filippos Spyropoulos, drums and the renowned Italian singer/songwriter and guitarist, Steve Tesser who fascinated all with his opening set of songs as well as during his duets with Machairitsas and Zouganelis.
For over 40 years, Lavrentis Machairitsas, who excless in Greek music and in discography as a singer/songwriter, returned to New York with a new and revived program which also highlighted hit songs from his latest album "Allaxan Polla" (Much Has Changed). The reception he received from audience that anticipated his new concert was exceptional. Everyone joined him as a big back up chorus singing and clapping along from beginning to end. Machairitsas who also stands out for his unique and friendly character embraced everyone with warmth and love. Throughout the concert he created a very strong bond with the crowd as he talked to them and shared stories about the various songs he presented contributing further in making the performance more engaging and memorable. Machairitsas selected to open his program with the everlasting classic, "Ta Logia Ke Ta Chronia", based on lyrics by the leading lyricist of Greece, Manos Eleftheriou and music by the legendary Greek composer Giannis Markopoulos which truly electrified the audience that responded by rewarding him with loud cheers and non-stop applause.
Giannis Zouganelis, a multi-talented artist who is a singer/songwriter and a stand up comedian further uplifted the audience with his performance which also included hit songs from his albums "Me Yia To Kourema" and "Akatallila Ke Erotika" and very funny comic skits that brought the house down with laughter, while his chemistry with Machairitsas during their duets was remarkable.
As the evening progressed, the concert revealed many unique surprises which further intrigued the enthused audience. Spectators enjoyed a special appearance by the new singer, Pavlina Voulgaraki as well as an impromptu surprise performance by Greek crossover classical tenor Mario Frangoulis who was a guest among the audience and who was invited on the stage to sing Machairitsas' everlasting hit, "Notos".
In thanking the audience for attending and for giving them such a warm reception, both Macharitsas and Zouganelis also expressed exceptional words of praise to the organizers and to Ms. Elena Maroulleti, the concert's Executive Producer for the "outstanding production" and for their "amazing hospitality". They both stressed that organizers distinguish themselves for producing concerts which "only promote the best quality of Greek music outside the boundaries of Greece" and it is imperative for all to continue to support this endeavor in order to preserve "the quality music of Greece". Referring to the work of Ms. Maroulleti over the years, Mr. Machairitsas stressed that she "is a solid rock who preserves in the USA the quality music of Greece...Unfortunately in this day and age, we see low quality music taking over, but this woman, is holding on just like the fighters at Thermopyle, and despite the difficulties and challenges, she tries very hard to offer quality. I love her very much and whenever she asks me to come back, I will return, even for free!".
Ms. Maroulleti also expressed her most sincere thanks, appreciation and love to the lead artists, Lavrentis Machairitsas and Giannis Zouganelis and to all members of their band, including Mario Frangoulis for his impromptu performance. Special thanks and acknowledgement were also extended to the concert's sponsors, to AKTINA's and CYPRECO's devoted volunteers and all who attended and honored the peformance with their presence. The audience was invited to continue to support the mission of AKTINA and CYPRECO which is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of the representative musical inheritance of Greece and also to attend to the new concert, Greek Music Journey 2018 which is taking place on April 20th again at the Kaye Playhouse. Ms. Maroulleti stressed that as this new concert which coincides with the 25th anniversary of AKTINA Productions, Inc., and of AKTINA FM radio, will celebrate and highlight the most representative aspects of Greek music which AKTINA promotes since its establishment. Read more about Greek Music Journey 2018.
In response to the non-stop applause from the audience and ongoing requests for more, the artists along with their band remained on the stage and performed more songs. The magical performance which run into overtime ended with the Machairitsas everlasting hit, "Poso Se Thelo" (How Much I Need You) with an ecstatic crowd in standing ovation singing and clapping along.
Greek Music Journey 2017 was made possible in part by Arch Capital Group (US), the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, Investors Bank, AMMOS Estiatorio, Bayside Diner, Green Kitchen Restaurant while the media sponsors were ANT1 Satellite US and the weekly newspaper " I Efimerida Tis Neas Yorkis". AKTINA's and CYPRECO's contributing volunteer staff included, Elena Maroulleti, Concert Executive Producer, Tom Stouras, video, the Production Assistants, Penny and Doug Chapman, Georgia Neophytou, Chrysso Neophytou-Tsimis, Michael Tribunella and Vlasis Anastasiou. Thanasis Tzouvelis was in charge of the lighting while the amazing sound was handled by the Kaye Playhouse Technical Staff.
Photos above by: Anastasios Mentis