TRAGOUDI – 100 years of Mikis Theodorakis

with
Mattias Müller Arpagaus (vocals)
Henri Fleury (vocals, guitar)
Adrian Müller (Cello)
Rico Punzi (Bouzouki)
Jennifer Ribeiro Rudin (vocals, piano)

Mikis Theodorakis will celebrate his 100th birthday in 2025. As one of the most versatile, committed and exciting personalities in the history of music, and far beyond, the Tragoudi Project is dedicated to him and his work.

Born on 29.7.1925 in Chios, Mikis Theodorakis made a name for himself as a resistance fighter at a young age. Against National Socialism, against the military dictatorship, interned and tortured in the Greek Civil War, he soon found himself back in exile in Paris, where he had already studied music. However, he did not stop being politically active and formed the "New Democracy" in the Greek parliament without any party. As a minister without his own portfolio, he vehemently campaigned against drugs and terrorism, as well as for culture and education. In addition, he always tried to promote the relationship between Greece and Turkey. It is not for nothing that it is a symbol of resistance not only for Greeks.

Under the title "Tragoudi", which is the Greek word for "song" and is said to be indicative of his compositional work, the ensemble not only dedicates itself to the greatest and best-known works, but also shows hidden treasures that particularly bring to light the complexity of Theodorakis' personality. Derived directly from "tragedy", the tragedy that surrounded him in his life and that he faced throughout his life is always present. However, there is also "tragos" in it, meaning Dionysus, the god of intoxication, of drunkenness, and such a kind of song comes from the midst of the people, holy, intoxicating, always reborn.

Mikis Theodorakis was the first to dare to set the works of great poets to music and turn them into "everyday songs, so that all Greeks can sing them, without exception, and so that they can tear themselves away from their individual fate".

Mikis Theodorakis died in Athens in 2021. The "Tragoudi" project is now honouring him on the occasion of his 100th birthday and is dedicated to his music in an understanding of its historical significance as well as its timeless topicality.

Saturday, February 15, 8 p.m. Postremise Chur
Sunday, February 16, 5 p.m. Postremise Chur
Friday, May 23, 8 p.m., Keller 62 Zurich
Saturday, May 24, 8 p.m. Keller 62 Zurich
Friday, September 12, 8 p.m. Postremise Chur
Saturday, September 13, 8 p.m. Postremise Chur
Sunday, September 14, 5 p.m. Postremise Chur
Friday, September 19, 8 p.m. Konsum Cazis
Saturday, September 20, 8 p.m. Chäslager Stans
Sunday, September 21, 11 a.m. Chapel College St. Michael Zug
Saturday, October 25th, 8.30 p.m. Casa console Poschiavo
Sunday, October 26, 5 p.m. Casa console Poschiavo
Friday, November 14, 8 p.m. ref. Malans Church
Saturday, November 15, 8 p.m. Church Versam
Sunday, November 16, 5 p.m. Church Sent