Byzantine Hymns in Greek & Aramaic in Matera, Italy (University of Basilicata)

Nektaria Karantzi concert@Matera
Università degli Studi della Basilicata / Scuola di Specializzazione in Beni Archeologici di Matera
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For the first time, the Byzantine ecclesiastical hymns in Greek and Aramaic language will be performed, at the ancient town of Matera in Italy, by the prominent Greek vocalist of the sacred music and acclaimed as one of the most important voices in byzantine chant worldwide, Nektaria Karantzi, on January 27.

Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, having been inhabited since the 10th millennium BC. Its historical center "Sassi", along with the Park of the Rupestrian Churches, is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1993. Matera has gained international fame for its ancient town, the "Sassi di Matera". The Sassi originated in a prehistoric troglodyte settlement, and these dwellings are thought to be among the first ever human settlements in what is now Italy. Because of the ancient primeval-looking scenery in and around the Sassi, it has been used by filmmakers as the setting for ancient Jerusalem. Pier Paolo Pasolini’s “The Gospel According to St Matthew” (1964) and Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” (2004) were filmed in Matera.

After the invitation of the Scuola di Specializzazione in Beni Archeologici di Matera (Università degli Studi della Basilicata), Nektaria Karantzi will present the treasures of the Byzantine Ecclesiastical Music in Greek (14th, 15th, 18th and 20th centuries / compositions by Ioannis Koukouzelis, Ioannis Kladas, Petros Bereketis, Petros Pelloponisios and the Holy Mountain’s Psaltic Tradition) and Aramaic language (Christ’s language) as well as the work “Padre Nostro” in Italian, composed by the internationally acclaimed concert pianist, composer, ECM recording artist and conductor of the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra of Athens, Vassilis Tsabropoulos, at the famous Casa Cava in Matera.

Nektaria Karantzi is the unique Greek female chanter of Byzantine music, having her first concerts since she was nine and with official discography in Byzantine and Sacred Music of East, since she was fourteen. Having made a remarkable impact around the world with her concerts and discography, mainly with Saint Porphyrios the Kapsokalyvite, thanks to whom she started her studies in Byzantine Music at a very early age, her performances are purely devoted to Byzantine Chant, the Mediterranean primeval musical tradition the religious music in Greek, Romanian, Arabic, Russian, Italian, French, Aramaic (the language of Jesus Christ) etc. She has also been invited for Master Classes from some of the most renowned educational and musical centers in Europe, such as the Liszt Academy in Hungary, the Sorbonne University in France, the University of Oviedo in Spain etc.

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