The greatest success of “Summer 2012 in Veakeio Theater of Piraeus” was the presentation of the opera "Prometheus Bound" of Greek-Canadian composer Panagiotis Karousos

Piraeus Tuesday, September 25. More than 30 years Veakio Theatre of Piraeus had to staging opera on. The presentation of Karousos’s work raised the level of music and crowd greeted his work with great enthusiasm. Panagiotis Karousos presented a team of artists who performed well his work.
In the role of Prometheus was the veteran baritone Elias Tiliakos, while the tragic role of Io interpreted by protagonist of the Greek National Opera soprano Alexandra Mattheoudaki with great vocal range.
The bass Vassilis Asimakopoulos impressed once again performing the difficult roles of Ocean and Jupiter classifying him as an ideal interpreter of these roles and as stage and vocal presence.
The luminous dramatic-mezzo Fotini Athanasaki as Violence and Goddess Athena was riveting rich voice. Tenor Christos Delizonas interpreted with gusto the exquisite aria of Hermes. The soprano Kyriakoula Tsagaratou gave an ethereal tone to opera as Oceanide nymph, also with its beautiful stage presence.

The virtuoso pianist Marilina Tzelepi played amazingly the difficult score of Karousos. With her two excellent musicians, Gennadios Bikov violin and Eugene Bensis cello, opened the show with the Piano Trio d'amour.
This exquisite performance for the Greek standards, jointly organized by the Federation of Associations of Kefalonia & Ithaca in cooperation with the Municipality of Piraeus.

Article about the opera Prometheus by Karousos in HELLAS NEWS - USA & CANADA

American Hellenic Council: Happy 4th of July !!

Happy 4th of July !!
On behalf of everyone at the American Hellenic Council, we would like to wish you and your loved ones a happy Independence Day!

On this occasion, we would like to remind you of the close ties between Greece & The United States. Despite the difficult times that Greece is currently undergoing, it's universally recognized that the Founding Fathers were inspired and influenced by the concept of democracy that was developed in Ancient Greece!

It is challenging times like these that we should remember Pericles' words: "We do not say that a man who takes no interest in politics is a man who minds his own business; we say that he has no business here at all." In this spirit, we encourage you to be politically active and participate in the democratic regime. 

Greeks & Romans Bearing Gifts: How the Ancients Inspired the Founding Fathers
Carl J Richard (Hardcover)

Table of Contents

Chapter I: The Storytellers and the Founders
Chapter II: Sparta and Individual Rights
Chapter III: The Persian Wars and the Superiority of Republican Government
Chapter IV: Athens and the Perils of Democracy
Chapter V: The Fall of Greece and the Need for a Strong Central Government
Chapter VI: Early Rome and Republican Virtue
Chapter VII: The Fall of the Roman Republic and the Need for Vigilance
Chapter VIII: The Roman Emperors and the Preciousness of Liberty
Conclusion

Reviews:

Carl Richard has given us another engaging and lucid glimpse into the rich and fascinating classical world of America's founding generation. With his thorough knowledge of both the classical past and how men in the eighteenth century understood it, Richard is able to show a broad audience of modern readers—who themselves may know little about the classical world—why ancient Greece and Rome have so long attracted Americans like a magnet. (Caroline Winterer, Stanford University )

Carl Richard has written a book that is as entertaining as it is informative. He brings the words and world of the Greek and Roman ancients to life with the same passion and understanding that kindled the Founding Fathers. Greeks and Romans Bearing Gifts is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the moral and intellectual sources that inspired the founders and helped define the ideals of American democracy. (Roger Kimball, editor of The New Criterion )

I have read Carl Richard's Greeks and Romans Bearing Gifts with great pleasure. This is superb work. Historians of the American founding have long known that the founders were powerfully influenced by the ancient writers, but in the absence of long and tedious labors have not known enough about the subject to make their own studies complete. Richard has performed those labors for us and presented his findings in a way that is both crisply written and richly informative. (Forrest McDonald, University of Alabama )

The conciseness and liveliness with which Richard reviews the ancient histories make his book a useful resource for all. Recommended. ( CHOICE, Jan. 2009 )

[An] engaging account of what the founding generation knew about the classical world. . . . This book is well worth owning. Beyond showing what kind of education the Founders had and sketching out how it shaped their own accomplishments, it serves as an introduction to the kind of education that most of us have missed out on—and reminds us that it's never too late to get started. ( Human Events, November 2008 )

Renowned classicist Carl J. Richard . . . delves into the lessons of history that the Founders leaned upon. . . . A necessary reminder of where to look if one seeks the deepest roots of American liberty. (New American) 
http://www.americanhellenic.org//bookstore/001.php 

The opera "Prometheus" of Panagiotis Karousos presented in the Old Parliament Building of Greece

A great presentation was held June 7 at the Old Parliament House of Greece by the Hellenic Literary Society and the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece of the National Historical Museum with the opera Prometheus Bound by Panagiotis Karousos.
The work "Prometheus Bound" by Aeschylus, that translated by John Gryparis set to music by Greek Canadian composer Panagiotis Karousos, was applauded by the packed hall of the Historic Parliament House of Greece.
The music composition full of original lyrical melodies reflecting the high version of Aeschylus and the poetic translation of John Gryparis. It was a gesture of novelty in Greek serious music, by the talented composer with feeling great agglomerate reviving the ancient Greek literature.
The performance was introduced by the General Secretary of the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece, Mr. Ioannis Ainian Mazarakis, the president of the Hellenic Literary Society Mr. Paul Nathaniel, and composer Panagiotis Karousos.
Artists have interpreted the opera led by baritone Elias Tiliakos in the role of Prometheus, the protagonist of the National Opera of Greece soprano Alexandra Mattheoudaki in the role of Io, and the role of the goddess Athena specially for this performance, and the bass Vassilios Asimakopoulos in the parts of Ocean and Jupiter. Also taking part are excellent musicians, violinist Gennadios Bykov, cellist Eugene Bensis and pianist Marilina Tzelepi that had the musical direction.

4th of July: The Greek Influence on American Independence

Ancient Greece has influenced the western world in a variety of aspects, but the most important element of our modern society, Democracy, was the key element to American Independence. President Obama described that influence in a proclamation that he issued on March 23rd commemorating Greek Independence Day.
“Two hundred and thirty-six years ago, a new American Nation was founded on an old Greek principle — democratic rule by a free people. We trace this enduring idea to ancient Hellas, where Greeks brought forth the world’s first democracy and kindled a philosophical tradition that would stand the test of time.”
“As America’s Founders built a Government of the people, by the people, and for the people, they drew inspiration from the democratic pioneers who shaped a small group of ancient Greek city states. In the years since, Greece and America have strengthened that connection through shared history and deep partnerships between our people.”
All of the founding fathers had studied ancient Greek texts which drew inspiration about morals, ethics and the sense of independence.
Author Tom Jewett points out that “Jefferson admired many aspects of the ancient Greeks; he could read and speak the language. He agreed with many of their precepts, such as the Greek idea that man is measure of all things. This was the groundwork for his belief in humanism, which recognized no barriers to the use of the mind, and which sought to make all knowledge useful to man. Jefferson particularly admired the Greeks’ idea with respect to man’s relationship to himself”.
“Jefferson was also influenced by the Greek philosophies of Epicures and the Stoics. He believed as Epicures that happiness was humanity’s main goal and it could be attained through moral and noble actions. From the Stoics, Jefferson took the idea of reining in emotion. He felt these ideas about self-control, moderation and rational behavior in the face of misfortune were paragons on how one should comport oneself.”
Joe Wolverton, II writes that “George Wythe, the renowned Virginian who would come to be known as the “Teacher of Liberty,” was himself taught to appreciate the writings of the ancients at home by his mother. Tragically, Wythe’s mother died when he was very young, but she lived long enough to anchor her son’s education on very firm moorings.”
According to one early biographer, Wythe “had a perfect knowledge of the Greek language taught to him by his mother in the backwoods.”
John Adams would often use Greek words in his letters to Jefferson. He was also a great admirer of Xenophon.
Greek philosopher Polybius from Megalopolis, Arcadia had a great influence on the founding fathers. His political beliefs have had a continuous appeal to republican thinkers, from Cicero, to Charles de Montesquieu, to the Founding Fathers of the United States. Marshall Davies Lloyd has argued that Polybius influenced the Founding Fathers to implement the separation of powers as a form of government. LIoyd traced the origins of the theory of mixed constitution to antiquity and especially Polybius’ Histories, while underscoring similarities between Polybius’ system and that of the American Constitution.
“These men,” says Simmons, discussing the Philadelphia debates in 1787, “had read and digested Polybius, Aristotle, and Cicero, and they used the ancient luminaries to frame and illustrate their ideas before the assembly…These heated yet erudite debates, along with the Federalist Papers, fairly pullulate both with subtle classical allusions—with which Madison, Hamilton, and Jay assumed readers to be tolerably familiar—and direct references to the leagues—Amphictyonic, Achaean, Aetolian, Lycian—formed by the ancient Greeks in order to achieve political and physical security.”
On the 4th of July Greek-Americans have one more reason to celebrate the American independence, their Greek heritage.

By Anastasios Papapostolou on July 4, 2012 in featured, News

http://usa.greekreporter.com/2012/07/04/4th-of-july-the-greek-influence-on-american-independence/?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Happy+4th+of+July!&utm_campaign=Happy+4th+of+July!&utm_term=Read+the+full+story_21 

PROMETHEUS BOUND BY PANAGIOTIS KAROUSOS AT THE OLD PARLIAMENT BUILDING OF GREECE

The Hellenic Literary Society and the Historical and Ethnological Society of Greece of the National Historical Museum present the opera Prometheus Bound by Panagiotis Karousos.

"The Hellenic Literary Society begins an effort to broaden his artistic activities.

With great pleasure we welcome the opera Prometheus by Panagiotis Karousos based on the tragedy of Aeschylus, translated by John Gryparis. The presentation of the project in the Old Parliament House of Greece honored the creator and the HLS."

Paul Nathanael, president of the Hellenic Literary Society

Thursday 7 June, 2012 - 7:30pm at the Old Parliament House - 13 Stadiou Street, Athens.

Participants: Ilias Tiliakos, baritone (Prometheus) - Alexandra Mattheoudaki, soprano (Io) - Eleni Liona, mezzo-soprano (Violence - Goddess Athena) - Vassilis Assimakopoulos, bass (Hephaestus - Ocean - Jupiter).
Gennadios Bykov (violin), Eugenios Bensis (cello) Marilina Tzelepi (piano)

A few words about the work and its creator

The opera Prometheus by Panagiotis Karousos is a lyric drama based on the tragedy of Aeschylus Prometheus Bound translated by John Gryparis. 

The myth of Prometheus is always relevant and instructive brings man face to face in front of the dilemma of revolution over in each historical eras tyrannical power, or the destructive passive attitude. The philanthropist Prometheus as the first partisan revolt, for the sake of the people in power of Zeus, was trying to exterminate the human race. The composition follows an expressionistic lyrical tone, messages of Aeschylus for humanist Titan Prometheus, which the echoes of the myth comes to us, affecting through Christianity the fourth of today's humanity. The Karousos opera "Prometheus" use neoromantic traditional harmony and counterpoint to consolidate the lyrical style of Aeschylus. The Greek-Canadian composer Mr. Panagiotis Karousos, excels in Canada from which it has been awarded for his contribution to art.

The opera was represented with a government grant in 1996 in French at theatre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts.

Prometheus is the first work of the Greek Tetralogy, focusing on the flame, which is the ancient Greek spirit. In Prometheus, the flame has the mystical form, at the second opera The Olympic Flame, the form of civilization, in Alexander the Great the civilizing enlargement of mind, and finally at the Light of Christianity or The Fire of Catharsis the purifying flame. In April 2008 Panayiotis Karousos presented Prometheus in New York in English under the direction of maestro Grant Gilman, and in November 2008 the production of Prometheus went to Washington DC.

In Greece, Prometheus presented in the Municipal Theatre of Holargos (November 2010), at the Municipal Theatre of Argostoli, Kefalonia (July 2011), at the Mount Olympus festival (Summer 2011), at the Hellenic Literary Society (January 2012), and at the Parnassos Concert Hall (February and March 2012).

Mr. Karousos also has been awarded by the Federal Government of Canada for his works Liberty Symphony and Piano Concerto, and from the City of Montreal for his Suite Montrealaise.

Art Exhibition of Greek-American artists in New York

Προσθήκη λεζάνταςBilly Chrissochos art

This past Sunday May 21st 2010, the Stathakion Cultural Center held its third Art Exhibition and Sale. A steady stream of art enthusiasts flowed in throughout the day; Paintings, comics, mixed media, and photography along with crafts filled the hall with their vibrant colors.  Billy Chrissochos, one of the Cultural Committee organizers, was ecstatic with the large turnout and stated, “The next event will be even bigger, with even more fine art and comic book vendors as well. We have finally built the foundation for a Greek-American community of artists. Something our community desperately needed.”

Iasonas Kontogiannis art

Exhibiting artists:

Zoi Rodopoulos, Maria Kollaros, Nikos Phidi-Colovos, Alexandra Tsiatis, Christos Kavvadas, Efstathia Fragou, Antonia Fthenakis, Cosmoyannis, Denis Kavvadias, Iasonas Kontogiannis, Sophokles Plokamakis, George Delis, Dionysis Maravegias, Dora Sislian Themelis, Agamemnon Varvitsiotes, Pandora Spelios, Billy Chrissochos, Chrysoula Lile, Terry Evangelatos, Yiota Stratis, Anna Zynda, Rosangela Bombieri, Angelo Kostas.

Special guests- Former Professional Wrestler Brimstone’s “Hound Comics” reps: Mina Sanwald (artist), Luscious (character), and Mary Modica (Director of marketing).

Hound Comics booth

Nikos Phidi-Colovos art

George Delis art

Zoi Rodopoulos art

Art Exhibit and Ssale at Stathakion this Sunday May 20th 2012

The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York Inc and the Cultural Committee is sponsoring an Arts Exhibition and Sale of Greek American artists this Sunday May 20th, 2012. The event will take place at the Stathakion Center between 3:00PM-9:00PM.
Paintings, Drawings, Poster Art, Mixed Media, Comic Book Art and Photography will be exhibited.
Special guests: Professional wrestler Brimstone's comic book line company- "Hound Comics"!

Admission is Free. Come down and buy some amazing artwork and photography for your home and office at affordable prices!

Stathakion Cultural Center
22-51 29th Street
Astoria, NY 11105
www.hellenicsocieties.org

For more info contact Billy Chrissochos 917-617-0597
Or email Vchrissochos@gmail.com

List of participating artists: Zoi Rodopoulos, Maria Kollaros, Nikos Phidi-Colovos, Alexandra Tsiatis, Magdalen Mavroudis, Christos Kavvadas, Efstathia Fragou, Antonia Fthenakis, Cosmoyannis, Denis Kavvadias, Iasonas Kontogiannis, Sophokles Plokamakis, George Delis, Dionysis Maravegias, Dora Sislian Themelis, Agamemnon Varvitsiotes, Pandora Spelios, Billy Chrissochos, Chrysoula Lile, Terry Evangelatos, Yiota Stratis, Anna Zynda.
And special guests: Brimstone’s Hound Comics- Mina Sanwald (artist), Luscious (character), Mary Modica (Director of marketing).

some websites:
www.houndcomics.com
www.DoraArtDesignStudio.etsy.com
www.diadiii.com
www.Lilecreations.com

First Annual Pankration Seminar at the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater NY

Jimmy Hartofilis, Sophocles Tsouros, Tom Gallo, Mike Arnaoutis, 
Craig Pumphrey, Ivan Dale, Stephen Koepfer, Emmanouil Lallas, 
Anastasios Mylonas, Sanja Mylonas and Billy Chrissochos.

Billy Chrissochos, Anastasios Mylonas and Vagelis Koutras

The First Annual Pankration Seminar was a huge success as sports enthusiasts and pro-athletes converged and mingled in the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater NY on March 3rd 2012. Honored guests were Craig Pumphrey USAFPA and Ivan Dale USAFPA. Other participants where Anastasios Mylonas USAFPA, Sanja Mylonas USAFPA, Billy Chrissochos who was the master of ceremonies, pro Boxer Mike Arnaoutis, Sophocles Tsouros- owner of Life Health & Fitness, Jimmy Hartofilis Boxing promoter, Emmanouil Lallas Pro Kick Boxer, Tom Gallo of Self Defense Tactics, and Stephen Koepfer -president of the American Sambo Association.
There were also week long workshops presented at Life Health and Fitness by Vagelis Koutras, World Pankration Athlima Federation (WPAF)  world representative for the Hellenic Republic.

Pankration was a martial art introduced into the Greek Olympic Games in 648 BC. It was carried to the East by the armies of Alexander the Great and helped influence the martial arts there. Now it is a growing international sport phenomenon once again. Mr. Anastasios Mylonas has spearheaded the campaign to bring the sport to New York. You can learn more at www.PankrationNYC.com.

Iskandar Dives into Spring at Astoria Park Pool Festival!

Billy Chrissochos, Dorit, Angelina Alexon, Frank Pace, 

Chris Pollatos, and Themi Kyriazis.

Billy Chrissochos’ new rock group Iskandar, hit the stage at the Astoria Park pool Deck this past Saturday, May 5^th 2012 to not just rock the crowd but perform for a worthy cause. As one of the largest and oldest pools in New York City, NYC Parks is celebrating Astoria Pool and Park during National Historic Preservation Month.  The Astoria Pool Olympic High Dive of the future Astoria Park Performance Center has been selected as one of 40 projects eligible for a “Partners in Preservation” grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express.
The diving platform, built in 1936 under Robert Moses, will form the centerpiece of the new performance center to be constructed on the site of the old diving pool in Astoria Park, which has been out of use for several decades. Billy Chrissochos ecstatically commented “there is no better feeling than playing Classic Rock on historic grounds overlooking the majestic East River and our iconic Triboro and Hell Gate Bridges!” With Council Member Peter Vallone, Jr. and support from the Astoria community, the festival offered many exciting activities for all ages.

Billy Chrissochos, Angelina Alexon, Dorit, and Council Member 

Peter Vallone Jr. playing on the Scorpions' "No One Like You" classic hit.

New York based group, Iskandar, is an eclectic modern Rock band whose musical styling incorporates Hard Rock and Symphonic Metal with Greek folk, progressive and classical textures. Iskandar the band, takes the philosophy of Alexander the Great by fusing different styles of music, whether exotic, folk, metal or pop with the vibrant Hellenic (Greek) spirit and passion.

Billy Chrissochos, Frank Pace, Dorit, Chris Pollatos, 

and Themi Kyriazis

Iskandar is:
Billy Chrissochos -guitars
Chris Pollatos -Bass
Frank Pace -drums
Angelina Alexon -vocals

With guests musicians- Dorit on vocals, Themi Kyriazis guitars and vocals (owner of Metronome Music School and recording Studio) and very special guest- Council Member Peter Vallone Jr. on bass.
Iskandar played originals and covers ranging from Deep to Led Zeppelin to Tina Turner and Scorpions.
Like “Iskandar” Rock Group on Facebook!
www.Iskandars.com
www.metromusicschool.com

Pankration Martial Art brought to Astoria for all in The Greek Community

^1st Annual Pankration Seminar

Astoria, New York, Feb 27^th Pankration was a martial art introduced into the Greek Olympic Games in 648 BC, today we are bringing back the sport to the community of NYC. Over 300 guests will be attending “The Past, Present and Future of PANKRATION Presentation” at The Hellenic Federation of Greater New York on March 3^rd at 7.00pm – 9.00pm. 
Life Health and Fitness gym also in Astoria will be hosting all workshops and seminars.  For more details contact Soph at Life Health and Fitness  718- 349-3494.
The Coach will be Vagelis Koutras from the WPAF Six Degree Black Belt and WPAF world Representative for the Hellenic Republic. Will teach all the seminars! Also in attendance will be Craig Pumphrey from the USAFPA Black Belt 3dan(Pankration), Ivan Dale from the USAFPA Black Belt(Pankration) Mike Arnaoutis Pro Boxer!

The focus of Pankration  program is to provide students the highest quality martial arts instruction available, in a safe and positive learning environment that people of all ages can enjoy.  And we are more than excited to bring this sport to the Hellenic- American community in New York. 

EVENT DATES:

Friday March 2^nd

FREE Workshop @ Life Health and Fitness

37-11 35th Ave, Astoria NY 11101

7pm – 9pm

Saturday March 3^rd

MAIN EVENT

The Past, Present and Future of PANKRATION Presentation

@ The Hellenic Federation of Greater New York

22-51 29th Street, Astoria NY 11105

7pm – 9pm

Sunday March 4^th

FREE Workshop @ Life Health and Fitness

37-11 35th Ave, Astoria NY 11101

1pm –3pm

From March 5^th - March10th

All Seminars @ Life Health and Fitness

37-11 35th Ave, Astoria NY 11101

From 8.30pm – 10.00pm and Saturday 1.00pm – 3.00pm

$25.00 per seminar

American Revolution Symphony by Panayoti Karousos

American Revolution Symphony by Panayoti Karousos

Astoria Symphony Orchestra conducted by Grant Gilman

The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen coloniesin North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America. They first rejected the authority of the Parliament of Great Britain to govern them from overseas without representation, and then expelled all royal officials. By 1774 each colony had established a Provincial Congress, or an equivalent governmental institution, to govern itself, but still within the empire. The British responded by sending combat troops to re-impose direct rule. Through representatives sent in 1775 to the Second Continental Congress, the states joined together at first to defend their respective self-governance and manage the armed conflict against the British known as the American Revolutionary War (1775–83, also American War of Independence). Ultimately, the states collectively determined that the British monarchy, by acts of tyranny, could no longer legitimately claim theirallegiance. They then severed ties with the British Empire in July 1776, when the Congress issued the United States Declaration of Independence, rejecting the monarchy on behalf of the new sovereign nation separate and external to the British Empire. The war ended with effective American victory in October 1781, followed by formal British abandonment of any claims to the United States with the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
The American Revolution was the result of a series of social, political, and intellectual transformations in early American society and government, collectively referred to as the American Enlightenment. Americans rejected theoligarchies common in aristocratic Europe at the time, championing instead the development of republicanism based on the Enlightenment understanding of liberalism. Among the significant results of the revolution was the creation of a democratically-elected representative governmentresponsible to the will of the people. However, sharp political debates erupted over the appropriate level of democracy desirable in the new government, with a number ofFounders fearing mob rule.
Many fundamental issues of national governance were settled with the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1788, which replaced the relatively weaker first attempt at a national government adopted in 1781, the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union. In contrast to the loose confederation, the Constitution established a strongfederated government. The United States Bill of Rights (1791), comprising the first 10 constitutional amendments, quickly followed. It guaranteed many "natural rights" that were influential in justifying the revolution, and attempted to balance a strong national government with relatively broad personal liberties. The American shift to liberal republicanism, and the gradually increasing democracy, caused an upheaval of traditional social hierarchy and gave birth to the ethic that has formed a core of political values in the United States. (wiki)