FLUSHING, NY – Two of the most beloved voices in Greek music, Manolis Mitsias and Dimitris Mpasis, shared the stage for an extraordinary evening of song which included a tribute to the renowned Cypriot composer, the late Marios Tokas, along with the Pancyprian Choir of New York under the direction of Phytos Stratis on Sunday, October 15.

Aphrodite Daniel, Yiannis Sinanis on bouzouki, the Synphonia Band including Panagiotis Andreou on bass, Kostas Tsoukalas on guitar, and Achilleas Wastor, musical director on piano, also performed in the impressive concert at the Queens Theatre in the Park in Flushing Meadows. Among those in attendance were Pancyprian President Philip Christopher, Nikos Mouyiaris, and Despina Ioannou Axiotakis, and many members of the community who enjoyed the moving, classic songs as well as some newer ones destined to become classics.

Mitsias and Mpasis were welcomed enthusiastically by the audience as they took the stage and sang Stin Ygeia Mas to open the concert. Mitsias noted that he has performed in the United States about 40 times in his career and is very much at home performing in New York.

Mpasis noted that he sympathizes with the experience of the Greek diaspora, having been born to Greek immigrant parents in Germany, though his family returned to Greece when he was 8 years old. He said, “I love New York, I love the Greeks of America,” before beginning his opening set of his greatest hits. Mpasis also sang a song from his latest CD, Ti Ta Theleis, which is available now and was on sale at the concert venue.

The concert featured many of the greatest hits of both singers, as well as a moving tribute to the late Dimitris Mitropanos by Mpasis who observed that five years have passed since the death of the great singer, but his songs are still with us. The singer performed Roza and S’anazito sti Saloniki, among other well-known hits, with all the audience singing along.

Mitsias sang songs by composer Manos Hatzidakis and also recalled his first meeting with Marios Tokas when the young composer was struggling to break into the music business. Mitsias heard him playing and was so impressed, he befriended the composer and decided to record some of Tokas’ songs. Among the hits Mitisas performed at the concert was O Giannis o Fonias (Giannis the Murderer) noting that he is often asked if Giannis is based on a real person, but he assured the audience, it was not.

Aphrodite Daniel performed with her usual grace and charm a few solo songs and then duets with Mpasis and Mitsias. The dynamic Pancyprian Choir, directed by Phytos Stratis, joined in, performing powerful Cypriot songs that moved the audience.

Born in Halkidiki of Macedonian origin, Mitsias sang from a very young age beginning as a chanter in the church in his village. While studying in Thessaloniki, he joined the Arts and Letters Club of Northern Greece and also founded a nightclub where he began his career as a solo singer. His first record was released in 1969, with the song Stin Elefsina mia fora, written by Dimos Moutsis, which he performed to the appreciative crowd at the concert.

Since that time, Mitsias has recorded and performed some of the most beloved songs in his over 40 year career, collaborating with famous artists and composers including Manos Hatzidakis, Mikis Theodorakis, Akis Panou, and many others. He has performed around the world to sold-out crowds like the one at the Queens Theatre wherever Greek music is loved and appreciated.

Mpasis is celebrating his 20th anniversary in the music industry this year. A tribute concert featured such talented and famous guests as George Dalaras, Giannis Kotsiras, Thanos Mikroutsikos, Christos Nikolopoulos, Miltos Pashalides, and Giota Negka. His 2017 world tour included stops in Brazil, Argentina, the UK, Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany. Mpasis wraps up his tour in North America with concerts in New York, New Jersey, New Orleans, Houston, Boston, Vancouver, BC, and Philadelphia. More information on upcoming concert dates is available online at: synphoniaentertainment.com.

Manolis Mitsias and Dimitris Mpasis on stage at the Queens Theatre in the Park. Photo by Eleni Sakellis

The crowd gathered in the lobby before the show at the Queens Theatre in the Park. Photo by Eleni Sakellis

Manolis Mitsias on stage at the Queens Theatre in the Park. Photo by Eleni Sakellis

Manolis Mitsias and Dimitris Mpasis on stage at the Queens Theatre in the Park. Photo by Eleni Sakellis