MOIROLÓI European Tour 2024 Premieres at Greek National Opera in Athens, April 28

Cologne-based music collective and orchestra CoGNiMUS Collektiv conducted by acclaimed Greek-German conductor Yorgos Ziavras presents, MOIROLÓI | A  Lament for the Living, a unique live concert experience, based on Mozart’s Requiem KV 626, on Sunday April 28 2024, at the Alternative Stage of the Greek National Opera, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. The project is presented in the scope of the events of the 2nd Sacred Music Festival of the Greek National Opera. Admission to the public is free with tickets, which will be distributed exclusively through ticketservices.gr from Tuesday 22 April 2024 at 09.00.

MOIROLÓI, a live musical concert experience, combines Mozart’s Requiem together with other musical forms of lament, aiming to underline its universal importance and continuing cultural influence in our age. Bringing it together with the Greek moirolói (an antique form of musical lament that is still being practised), CoGNiMUS Collektiv presents an extended concert experience, answering the question: how does death sound, not for the dead, but for the living?

MOIROLÓI delves into the traditional Greek lament, moiroloi - an exclusive musical form originating from the mountains of Epirus and Thessaly. This genre becomes a poignant exploration of grief, its lyrical narratives addressing both the deceased and those who have migrated from the region in search of a better future. In a harmonious fusion, MOIROLÓI combines Mozart's Requiem with Byzantine hymns and Baroque music, offering a multicultural approach to the universal themes of grief and the haunting echoes of mortality. 

The project resonates with every voice within and around us, delving deep into our collective unconscious. By embracing death as an inevitable aspect of our destiny, we acknowledge its profound impact on every individual. Thus, we seek spaces that facilitate both our own reconciliation and that of our audience with the concept of mortality as an intrinsic part of our existence. In our pursuit, we aspire to confront the question of how our cultural contexts shape our perceptions and responses to this universal truth. 

“[MOIROLÓI] draws inspiration from the Danse macabre, the liturgical texts of the Orthodox death service, and the antique Greek moirolόi with its “modern” instrumental and vocal conjugates which are still being played/sung on the mountains of Epirus. The use of vocal isokratis functions as a binding axis of sound between the Catholic and Orthodox liturgy, channelling the ritualistic nature of the Greek moirolói”, says the conductor and Artistic Director of CoGNiMUS Collektiv, Yorgos Ziavras. 

“Our aim is to create a celebration of life through a ritual of sorrow”, he adds 

Based in Cologne, Germany, CoGNiMUS Collektiv features a stellar ensemble of some of the world’s most accomplished soloists and musicians. Renowned for its fusion of traditional instrumentalists and orchestral musicians from different corners of the globe, the orchestra, under the direction of Yorgos Ziavras, comes together in a harmonious celebration of life. This collective endeavour takes on heightened significance in our contemporary context, resonating more deeply than ever before. To Learn more about CoGNiMUS Collektiv’s European tour of MOIROLÓI make sure you follow their channels on Instagram & Facebook. For more information you can visit www.cognimus.de 

Concert Information

MOIROLÓI | A Lament for the Living (Based on Mozart's Requiem KV.626)

Sunday 28 April 2024

Starts at:  20.00

Alternative Stage of the National Opera

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre

MOIROLÓI | A LAMENT FOR THE LIVING - Εθνική Λυρική Σκηνή (nationalopera.gr)

Conductor: Yorgos Ziavras

Soloists: 

Ptolemaios Armaos (Lute)

George Merantzas (Voice) 

Kostas Tzekos (Clarinet)

Marinos Tranoudakis (Percussion)

Katerina Chatzinikolau (Violin)

With the Soloist Vocal Ensemble and  the Orchestra of CoGNiMUS.

Special Appearance: Savvas Siatras & “CHAONIA” Polyphonic Group 

A co-production of CoGNiMUS Collektiv with the Alternative Stage of the Greek National Opera 

Founding Donor of the Alternative Stage:  Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)

Credits

Concept: CoGNiMUS Collektiv e.V. - Yorgos Ziavras

Production: Katja Lasser, Rebekka Stephan 

Communication & Public Relations: Jay Raissis

Creative / Graphic Design: Christina Sotiropoulou 

We thank the Greek National Tourist Organization for their invaluable support, facilitating our travel to Athens. Special thanks to Vassilis Drivas for his invaluable assistance in making our concert in Athens possible. Additionally, we express our appreciation to Nikos Bilios and the Greek Ministry of Tourism. Ηeartfelt thanks to Mr.Vasilis Koinis (Consul General of Greece in Dusseldorf), and the German Embassy in Athens for their warm support. 

Sponsors & Supporters

Under the auspice of: Greek Ministry of Tourism, Greek Embassy in Helsinki, and the Greek Consulate in Dusseldorf 

Tour Supported by: J. F. Costopoulos Foundation, German Embassy in Athens - Deutsche Botschaft in Athen, Gesellschaft zur Verwertung von Leistungsschutzrechten mbH

Tour & Orchestra Sponsors: Greek National Tourism Organization, LANGLOIS Enterprises Ltd., KATOGI AVEROFF, My Market, Dunlin Hotel Athens

Tour & Orchestra Supporters: CORE INNOVATION, OTE GROUP - COSMOTE, The Athanasios and Marina Martinos Foundation - AIGEAS, DANAOS Management Consultants S.A, DANAOS Shipping Co. Ltd.