“Theodorakis conducts Theodorakis”
Australian Tour November 1995
with Maria Farantouri, Kostas Thomaidis, Nadia Weinberg
And the Randos Chamber Orchestra
“The grand finale, and grand it was, consisted of a set of Theodorakis’s most popular songs with the indefatigable Farantouri, leading on vocals. Then came the 20 minute standing ovation; the kind of reception bestowed upon pop stars and some classical virtuosi but seldom seen for a 20th century composer.”
The Age, 19 November 1995 (review of the Melbourne Concert of 18 May 1995)
Theodorakis conducted Theodorakis in his first Australian tour since 1973 as part of the celebration of the International Year for Tolerance.
The tour sold out in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Canberra and was proudly supported by the “International Year for Tolerance Secretariat”, Coles Myer Limited, Olympic Airways. Standing ovations of up to 45 minutes, were indicative of the fact that Australian audiences had long yearned to be in the presence of the living legend.
“The passing years bring a steady shrinkage in the number of your heroes. Time passes, they become immortal then get forgotten entirely. I am down to three who are still living: Nelson Mandela, Alistair Cooke and Mikis Theodorakis…..”
The Adelaide Advertiser, 11 November 1995
“The music was a hymn to freedom from the great man who created it”
The Sydney Morning Herald 26 November 1995
