Naftodia

Composer/performer Pericles Kanaris is recognized as one of the most important ambassadors of Greek music in the Diaspora. Not coincidentally, the International New York Times acknowledged in his music a “Greek identity with a global sound.”

With his multifaceted work (recordings, concerts, productions) across Europe and America, he uniquely bridges the Greek sound and language with international musical currents, developing a distinctive “dialogue” between great poets such as Konstantinos Kavafis, Manos Eleftheriou, and T. S. Eliot, as well as award-winning artists from the global music scene.

In the summer of 2025, the composer will present a new cycle of songs titled Naftodia. This is an ode to Greek seamanship, based on new poems he has set to music, drawing on the verses of important Greek poets, as well as experiential lyrics from people belonging to the Greek maritime “family.”

The program will also include well-loved songs that have been written on the same theme by acclaimed Greek composers, especially interpreted with Pericles Kanaris’ orchestration.

Krystalia Gaitanou: viola

Yorgos Kostopoulos: double bass

Yannis Stamatoyannis: bouzouki, lute, mandolin

Dimitris Karpouzas: sound