Maria Farantouri

Maria Farantouri, born on November twenty-eighth, nineteen forty-seven, is a renowned Greek singer and a passionate political and cultural activist. Her illustrious career has seen her collaborate with iconic Greek composers, most notably Mikis Theodorakis, with whom she performed the score for Pablo Neruda's Canto General on stages around the globe.

During the tumultuous years of the Greek military junta from nineteen sixty-seven to nineteen seventy-four, Farantouri became a voice of resistance, recording protest songs across Europe alongside Theodorakis. In nineteen seventy-one, she showcased her versatility by recording Songs and Guitar Pieces by Theodorakis with the esteemed Australian guitarist John Williams, featuring seven poignant poems by Federico García Lorca.

Farantouri's repertoire is impressively diverse, encompassing songs in Spanish, Italian, and English, including the stirring 'Hasta Siempre Comandante Che Guevara' and George Gershwin's works. Her contralto voice spans two octaves, allowing her to interpret a wide range of musical styles, including compositions by Greek luminaries such as Manos Hatzidakis, Eleni Karaindrou, and Vangelis.

In addition to her musical achievements, Maria Farantouri served as an elected member of the Greek Parliament from nineteen eighty-nine to nineteen ninety-three, representing the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK). She is married to poet and former politician Tilemachos Chytiris.

Her contributions to Greek music were formally recognized on September twenty-third, two thousand four, when the President of the Hellenic Republic awarded her the Gold Cross of the Order of the Phoenix. In two thousand fourteen, she received the Premio Tenco for her impact on international contemporary and traditional music, further solidifying her legacy.