NEW YORK – The band Sounds of Cyprus, fronted by vocalist Elena Chris with music direction by Peter Douskalis, performed an evening of traditional music from the island of Cyprus for a unique experience, ushering back the live music scene in New York City on June 11 at Drom on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

The talented musicians in the ensemble, including Chris on vocals, Douskalis on guitar and laouto, Alex Tasopoulos on viola, and Erikos Vlesmas on bass, performed classic Cypriot favorites from the traditional repertoire including songs by Hadjimichael, Tokas, Ioannidis, and Violaris, among others.

Attendees sang along to many of the well-known songs, such as Chrisoprasino Filo, composed by Mikis Theodorakis with lyrics by Leonidas Malenis, Violaris’ first big hit Oulla Hallalin Sou, Tilirkotissa, Ta Rialia, and Marios Tokas’ H Diki mou h Patrida.

Sounds of Cyprus, (left to right:) Alex Tasopoulos, Elena Chris, Peter Douskalis, and Erikos Vlesmas, performing at Drom on Manhattan’s Lower East Side on June 11. Photo by Eleni Sakellis

Chris and Douskalis offered a brief introduction in Greek and in English to a few of the songs to start off the performance. The audience members applauded enthusiastically throughout the musical evening which highlighted the skills of the talented, young musicians who are sharing and promoting the beautiful, traditional songs of Cyprus.

Sounds of Cyprus was recently featured on the show ‘Paradosiaki Vradia’ on RIK1 where Chris and Douskalis were interviewed and a video from one of their recent outdoor performances was featured.

The band Sounds of Cyprus, (left to right:) Alex Tasopoulos, Elena Chris, Peter Douskalis, and Erikos Vlesmas, take their bows at Drom on Manhattan’s Lower East Side on June 11. Photo by Eleni Sakellis

Everyone looked forward to the next performance by the band, hopefully in a venue next time with space for dancing.

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