Washington, October 9: Paspala concert with Greek music from Southern Italy

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From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

Originally From: Connie Mourtoupalas <mourtoupala@greekembassy.org>

The Embassy of Greece and the Embassy of Italy Present

A musical tribute to the Greek speaking villages of Southern Italy

"GRECIA SALENTINA" with renowned Greek Singer ELLIE PASPALA

Introduction by Dr. Isabella Bernardini, University of Lecce

Special appearance by "Avledda Music Ensemble" from Southern Italy

Thursday, October 9, 2003 at 6:30 p.m.

At The Embassy of Italy 3000 Whitehaven Road, Washington, DC 20008

In collaboration with:

The Niarchos Foundation, The Istituto Italiano di Cultura

and The Society for the Preservation of the Greek Heritage

Reception will follow

R.S.V.P. 202-612-4475 by October 6, 2003

Aspects of the ancient Greek cultural tradition and language, enriched with local influx, remain alive today, as a synthesis of longstanding historical relations, in several towns of Southern Italy, situated in two regions: Puglia (Salento) and Calabria.

The "Grecanic" language, a poetic, "singing" idiom, is rooted in ancient versions of the Greek language, dating from the Greek settlements in Southern Italy ("Magna Grecia", and assimilates more recent Italian elements.

The songs of these communities preserve today the Grecanic language (or "Griko") in an artistic expression.

In recent years, especially in the new framework of the European Union, new links have flourished between the two shores of the Ionian Sea, and the Grecanic language and songs stand as tokens of friendship and fruitful cultural interaction.

Ellie Paspala, one of Greece's most beautiful voices, was born in New York of Greek parents, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music. In 1982, she began her exclusive musical association with Greek composer Manos Hatzidakis, which lasted until 1988. Since then, she has collaborated with some of Greece's most illustrious composers, such as Mikis Theodorakis, Dionysis Savvopoulos, Nikos Xydakis, Stamatis Kraounakis, Lena Platonos and others. She has also performed the works of internationally renowned songwriters and composers, such as Kurt Weill, Randy Newman, Nino Rota, Nicola Piovanni and others.

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