NEW YORK – Originally scheduled for 2020 but delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic, ‘Theophanes the Greek’ by composer Savvas Karantzias will make its North American debut as part of ‘The Sounds of the Saints’ concert series on November 9, 7:30 PM, at New York City’s famous Peter Norton Symphony Space in Manhattan.

Karantzias will be in attendance from Greece to see his work premiered, along with representatives from the Hellenic Parliament. The concert will be performed by the renowned Archdiocesan Cathedral Choir, Youth Choir, and Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Costas Tsourakis. To properly bring the oratorio to life, the concert will feature rising Greek soprano soloist Juliet Papadopoulos, along with Anthoula Katsimatides, who will be taking on the role of the narrator.

“This is a perfect musical highlight of one of the greatest Byzantine iconographers in the cultural capital of the world- New York City,” said Maestro Tsourakis. “The magnificent voices of the choirs and orchestra will truly resonate as sounds of the saints, an appropriate continuation of the Centennial Celebration of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.”

Along with the high patronage of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the concert will also take place under the auspices of the Consulate of Greece in New York. Tickets are on sale now at www.symphonyspace.org, with proceeds to benefit the Archdiocesan Cathedral Choir and Youth Choir international concert tour.

Undertaking a journey of musical diplomacy, Karantzias travels with the concert to present the American premiere of the oratorio ‘Theophanes the Greek,’ a musical biography of the legendary Byzantine iconographer. The oratorio will have been presented on four continents following its initial premiere in Rhodes, Greece, birthplace of the composer. To learn more, visit savvaskarantzias.com.

Under the direction of Maestro Costas Tsourakis, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is known for its magnificent choir and music program. The choir has sung religious services with patriarchs, archbishops, and ecumenical leaders, as well as for United States presidents and dignitaries from around the world. Its popular concert series ‘Great Music under a Byzantine Dome’ features a diverse selection of programs every year, consisting of music from the sacred Orthodox tradition, the Greek folk and popular traditions, and the Western classical and musical theater repertoire. To learn more, visit archcathedralchoir.com.