Porphyra album release party at Gussy's 07-18-14

The time has finally come! Save the date. Billy Chrissochos' Hard Rock/Metal group Porphyra is releasing their album "Faith, Struggle, Victory" in our home turf of Astoria, Queens. Featuring Chandler Mogel (Outloud, Khaos) Anna Dok (Operatika Element), Christos Alexandrou (international recording artist) and many other guests.

Friday, July 18th, 2014
Doors open at 8PM
GUSSY'S
20-14 29th st.
Astoria, NY 11105
Admission $10

Please show your support and come down and help spread the word. We will be announcing our next National Act gig then too. Cool bands lined up and we will be selling our cds. A special thanks to Ozzie and Necromancer Productions for putting the show together.
Tune in next week to our website www.porphyraband.com as we go live courtesy of www.catseyewebs.com. We will also be releasing some production pics on Facebook shortly, from our upcoming "Shine" music video, featuring the one and only "Aerialist" DJ Angela Pandelis!

Poprhyra Promo 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGvgxojoEzo

THE MUNICIPALITY OF CORINTH PRESENT UNDER THE AUSPICES OF UNESCO PANAGIOTIS KAROUSOS' OPERA PROMETHEUS BOUND

PANAGIOTIS KAROUSOS

PROMETHEUS BOUND

(1994 – 2004) 20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

Starring:

Prometheus: Vasileios Asimakopoulos, bass

Io/Goddess Athena: Irene Konsta, soprano

Ocean/Hermes: Anastasios Stellas, tenor

Via/Amfitrite: Maria Lyberakou, soprano

Oceanide: Vanessa Kalkani, soprano

Musicians:

Rania Zetta, viola

Gulnora Tulyaganova, piano

MUNICIPAL THEATER OF CORINTH

Tuesday 17th June at 7pm

Damaskinou Street, Korinthos, 20003 Greece

FREE ADMISSION

Few words about the opera “Prometheus Bound” by Panagiotis Karousos

Based on Aeschylus tragedy “Prometheus Bound” by Panagiotis Karousos first premiered in Montreal, Canada in 1994 and played in French until 2000.  In 1998 the work presented in Los Angeles at Beverly Hills City Hall with a great success. In 2008 represented in New York and Washington in English under the direction of maestro Grant Gilman, and American soloists from the opera of New York. The opera impressed with the high lyricism and characterized as a divine music composition work. In Greece Prometheus Bound presented at the Municipal Theatres of Athens, Salamina, Argostoli, Lixouri, Ithaca, Cholargos, Chalkis, at the Concert Hall of the Greek Writers, in “Parnassos” Concert Hall, in the Old Parliament House, at the Theatre Veakeio, and the Theatre “Jenny Karezi”. In 2013 bass Vasileios Asimakopoulos did unforgettable presentations of the opera as a director and leading role at the Little Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus, the Ancient Theatre Ekklesiasterion (Odeon) in Ancient Messene, the Ancient Agora at the Ancient Site of Acropolis, and the National Archeological Museum of Greece, and performed the main arias of the opera at “Parnassos” Concert Hall conducted by E. Kalkanis.

Panagiotis Karousos is a renowned Greek-Canadian composer who brings to his music the philosophy and spiritualism of the Greek classics. He successfully presented all his operas (Prometheus, Olympic Flame, Alexander the Great, Light of Christianity) around major North American cities. His Symphony No.1 “Liberty” presented in New York with the Astoria Symphony and maestro Silas Nathaniel Huff. His Piano Concerto No.1 performed in Montreal Canada under the auspices of UNESCO in 2000. Also his Symphony No.2 “Olympic” performed in Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal with the OSJL-L Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Andre Gauthier. In February 2014 the Symphony Orchestra of the City of Athens conducted by E. Kalkanis premiered his Symphony No.4 “Earth”.

Recently the opera Prometheus Bound represented in New York, Queens and United Nations Headquarters, Manhattan. 

Porphyra's Kickstarter completed successfully

Billy Chrissochos, vice president of Hellenic American Center of the Arts newsletter 
Welcome dear friends. I wanted to let you know about these two projects that are dear to my heart. For a long time I dedicated myself to the Arts and History. My rock band Porphyra and the Greek Artists Guild fill this noble cause. As Hellenes and people in general in our fast paced world we seem to forget that our lives are meaningless without culture and art. Since it all sort of started with the Greeks (as we always seem to claim), I feel it's our obligation  to continue this tradition and bring it up to speed with our fast trending world. 

The Greek Artists Guild, which I am president of, had started off with George Delis, Petros Galatoulas and Athanasios Aronis three years ago, has now grown and is ready to expand. Back then people in the community thought I was crazy for trying to find Greek, and Greek-American artists here in NYC. Lo and behold we now attract more than 40 Greek and local community artists and vendors ( we are open to everybody) every time we have an Exhibit. We just had our successful 7th Art Fair at the Stathakion Cultural Center (our home base), and are being courted to expand to Chelsea and the other "Artsy" districts as we speak. Check out some press attached above courtesy of Greek News. Artists that want to join our Guild or participate in the exhibits contact me so I can tell you of our upcoming meeting this June 20th.
Here is my other organization's, The Hellenic American Center of the Arts, press page:

http://hellenicamericancenterofthearts.blogspot.gr/2014/06/greek-artists-guild-sundays-art-fair.html
Like us on Facebook -Greek Artists Guild
www.Greekartistsguild.com  ; (will also be fully updated shortly)

Now comes my band Porphyra. It's not fancy jazz, tsifteteli or dance music but it's honest guitar driven melodic metal and hard rock. Good music is just that. Good music. So give it a listen and I think you will understand the sonic landscape that we are trying to create. Heck you can even belly dance to some of the stuff. Try it, it won't bite (unless you want it :)).  As a musician with the first incarnation of Porphyra, which was Phoenix Reign, War & History magazine (Polemos kai Historia) declared us "the band that fused Rock with the Fall of Constantinople", when describing our grand opus, "Constantinople 1453- On the Eve of the Fall". This was of our Destination Unknown album -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB1vkdxRlRo. Now with Porphyra, I wrote the anthems of Greece's glory days; About Alexander the Great (with Makedonia Ksakousti interwoven throughout) and Basil II's union with the Kievan Rus, otherwise known as the second Glorious age of Byzantium, that culminated in the year 988AD. There are sci-fi elements, mythology, love stories and so much more.

Porphyra's epic album "Faith, Struggle, Victory" should be on everybody's listening device. Did I mention the singer is an internationally acclaimed front man, Chandler Mogel (Outloud/Khaos), who helped me co-produce. We have a full rock opera orchestra with so many musicians- Billy Chrissochos (guitars), Chandler Mogel (vocals), Frank Pace (drums), Jose Navia G (bass), Mike "Risko" Savvas (guitars/tzoura), Richard Khuzami (percussion), Keren Tzobotaro (female vocals), Christos Alexandrou (guest Greek vocals/international recording artist), Anna Dok (guest appearance courtesy of Operatika Element), Chuck Metaxas (bouzouki), and Katie Jacoby (violin), all produced and mixed by the wizard/engineer Ethan Bill- who played just about everything else on the album!

Our online fundraiser through Kickstarter ENDS TONIGHT- THURSDAY-AT MIDNIGHT. Please sponsor us if you haven't already. Any amount helps. And there are so many awesome perks and gifts. If you physically can't tonight we will be accepting sponsors still, just message me if you wish to help.
CLICK ON KICKSTARTER LINK HERE PLEASE-https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1652624391/faith-struggle-victory-porphyras-new-epic-metal-al
To all those that have already donated and tirelessly promoted our campaign our gratitude goes to you! We have 7 hours left so keep on spreading the word!
Billy Chrissochos
917-617-0597
Like Porphyra on Facebook
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel "Porphyra Official Channel"

Here is our MUSIC PROMO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGvgxojoEzo
Here is our AKTINA FM INTERVIEW with music that aired on FM radio -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2J3IhazOIs
Special thanks to "Give Me Astoria", Elena Marouletti of Aktina FM, and Dimitris Filippidis of Hellas FM and NGTV for endorsing us and playing our music!!! 

Greek Artists Guild - Sunday's Art Fair

Greek_Artists_Guild

Astoria's art lovers where in for a treat on Sunday May 25th, 2014 as the Greek Artists Guild along with the Stathakion Cultural Center held its 7th Art Exhibition.  Locals and friends were able to mingle with some of our finest local artists and crafts people and buy some unique and cool art. The event was also attended by the esteemed ambassador of Greece. The president of the Greek Artists Guild and Hellenic Federation Cultural Committee member Mr. Billy Chrissochos was elated at the turnout and support the community continues to give them. “This has really become like one big family”, he stated, “and we will continue to expand the art scene in Astoria and Queens and inspire a neo artistic renaissance”.

Billy Chrissochos’ rock album- Porphyra’s “Faith, Struggle, Victory”

Efterpi Iatrakis art

List of exhibiting artists:
Dora Sislian Themelis, Billy Chrissochos, Magdalen Mavroudis, Sophokles Plokamakis, Eftherpi Iatraki, Marianthi Raptis, Dion Maravegias, Denis Kavvadias, Miliana Mitrov, Efstathia Fragou, Maria Theofanoudi, Ellen Stedfeld, and Gerardo R. Casas.
Paul Anagnostopoulos - author
Musical guest - pianist Apostolos Plokamakis
Special listening preview of Billy Chrissochos’ rock album- Porphyra’s “Faith, Struggle, Victory”. The Album cover art designed by Billy Chrissochos also made its debut.

Greek_Artists_Guild members

Marianthi Raptis art

The Greek Artists Guild was formed in 2011 to help promote Greek-American artists from the NY Tri-State area. Its mission is to promote Greek-American art to the Greater American Public,

Efstathia Fragou Jewelry

and to give artists venues to exhibit and sell their work. Since 2011 we have exhibited our work in seven bi-annual exhibitions at the Stathakion Cultural Center in Ditmars, Astoria.

We are looking for talented visual artists; painters, comic book artists, graphic designers, photographers and sculptors to add to our organization. If you would like to get involved please contact us. 

Billy Chrissochos
President of Greek Artists Guild
Member of Cultural Committee of Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater NY Inc.
www.GreekArtistsGuild.com
Facebook- "Greek Artists Guild"

Sophocles Plokamakis art

Panagiotis Karousos, composer

Panagiotis Karousos

Panagiotis Karousos is a renowned Greek-Canadian composer who brings to his music the philosophy and spiritualism of the Greek classics. He structures his works around Pythagorean mathematical forms and infuses them with modern styles such as those of Wagner, amongst others. The majestic sound of his work, Symphony No.1 “Liberty”, caused critics to acclaim it as a second national anthem of Greece. It was presented in Canada and New York with great success with the Astoria Symphony and maestro Silas Nathaniel Huff. Karousos presented his operas Prometheus, The Olympic Flame, Alexander the Great, The Light of Christianity, the oratorio The Song of the Nations and the symphonic poems Eternal Parthenon, Time Melody, and Democracy in Canada, which garnered him rave reviews. He did many concerts in Canada presenting his Symphonies Liberty Symphony and Symphony No.2 “Olympic” with the FACE Symphony Orchestra, the OSJL-L Symphony Orchestra and the Monteregie Symphony Orchestra under the direction of maestros Andre Gauthier, Theodora Stathopoulos and Luc Chaput. The Piano Concerto for Peace was presented with pianist Nathalie Joncas under UNESCO auspices. This piece was highlighted by the Montreal Popular Concerts series in Montreal’s Maurice Richard Arena to an audience of 5000 people. The Piano Concerto became the soundtrack to filmmaker Jenna Constantine's movie If Aphrodite Had Arms. The Suite Montrealaise was commended from the City of Montreal to mark the Millennium and was successfully presented in a celebration concert 1 October 2000.Panagiotis Karousos chamber music is different from the romanticism of his operas and symphonic works. The Piano Trios and the Violin and Cello Sonatas presented in Beverly Hills City Hall and around Montreal surprised the public with their melancholy nature and strong harmonic complexity. The Olympic Flame choir was presented with the Symphony Orchestra and the Choir of Gunst wat'n Kunst at Hague, Holland, with maestro Rafael Pylarinos. P. Karousos Violin Concerto was presented in New York, under the direction of maestro Grant Gilman. The World Premiere of his grandiose opera Alexander the Great presented in Montreal sung in French, with big success at the Montreal Notre Dame Basilica and represented in Chicago Illinois in English by the American Symphony Orchestra of Chicago and soloists from the opera of Chicago conducted by David Stech. Alexander the Great represented in North Carolina Theatre with East Coast Philharmonic and soloists under the direction of Grant Gilman, and in Toronto at P.C. Ho Theater Cultural Center of Toronto with the Sneak Peak Symphony Orchestra of Toronto University and soloists under the direction of maestro Victor Cheng. The opera Prometheus in English represented in Los Angeles with soloists from the Los Angeles opera, in New York by the Astoria Symphony and soloists, and in Washington DC with The District of Columbia Symphony Orchestra. In 2013 he did major presentations of Prometheus in Ancient Greek Theaters (Epidaurus, Messina, Ancient Agora), and the National Archeological Meseum of Greece. In 2014 Prometheus represented in New York at the United Nations Headquarters and in the Auditorium Mamie Fay in Queens.

His Symphony No.4 “Earth” premiered in 2014 with City of Athens Symphony Orchestra under the direction of maestro Eleftherios Kalkanis. P. Karousos is a recipient of honours from the Federal Canadian Government, the Quebec Provincial Government and the City of Montreal. 

Heavy, exotic, Metal epics & quick driving Hard Rock anthems, the new Porphyra album will have something to please all rock fans!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1652624391/faith-struggle-victory-porphyras-new-epic-metal-al
Band description: New York based group, Porphyra, is an eclectic modern Rock band whose musical styling incorporates Hard Rock and Symphonic Metal with Greek folk, progressive and classical textures. The name Porphyra “Πορφύρα” means the Purple or Porphyry Chamber; a pavilion of the Great Palace of Constantinople where no child born anywhere else could legitimately be called Porphyrogénnētos (born in the purple)-the birthright of all Emperors and Empresses of Constantinople. Porphyra the band is able to mix timeless themes of Greek history, Mythology and Science Fiction and offer them to a new audience seeking something exotic and fresh.
About the album: Billy Chrissochos and the band being avid history and mythology enthusiasts have crafted two modern historical and educational epics. The first epic centers on the life and legend of Alexander the Great. The second is based on the momentous year of 988 AD. 988 AD is the year Vladimir the Great , Grand Prince of the Kievan Rus, married the sister of Basil II, emperor of Byzantium, thus bringing Russia to the cultural sphere of Christian Medieval Greece.
Not since Iron Maiden’s “Alexander the Great” epic has there been a worthy follow up. Billy Chrissochos and Chris Pollatos have had a long history crafting classic epics. Their previous band Phoenix Reign’s 14 minute opus Constantinople 1453 (On the Eve of the Fall) was hailed in Greece’s War and History (Polemos & Historia) magazine as “the band that fused Rock with the Fall of Constantinople.”
There is plenty of other material on the new Porphyra album covering everything from the loneliness of a Cosmonaut in space to songs of overcoming obstacles, seizing the day, and the unstoppable passing of time. Of course the title song, Porphyra, tells the tale of an emperor of Constantinople, with its stylized ethnic Bouzouki , Violin and Doumbek touches. With your donations we will be able to print the CD’s, finish our music video, acquire merchandise, promote, and be able to tour to spread this wonderful music.
We are also getting ready to record our new album featuring two more epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, as another epic follow up to this album too; an ambitious project even involving orchestral instruments. We have performed with the Astoria Symphony twice in our previous band so we are not strangers to merging a symphony orchestra with metal.
Here are links to some of our work with our previous band Phoenix Reign and one remix from our new band Porphyra:
These two are all under www.blacktuesday1453.com. (Making of the film site) Phoenix Reign "Constantinople 1453 (On the Eve of the Fall)": Part One http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m43bgaYIT7s
Phoenix Reign "Constantinople 1453 (On the Eve of the Fall)": Part Two http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSeMk21Mlqc&feature=related
Phoenix Reign - Masquerade Angel (Video) off my movie action, adventure comedy Attila Attacks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLnHBqO8NB4
Phoenix Reign performing "The Odyssey" accompanied by the Astoria Symphony under the direction of Grant Gilman http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMttB83AWwI
And our Porphyra Greek club remix song: Porphyra "Min Asholiste" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSeMk21Mlqc&feature=related

The history of the opera Olympic Flame by Panagiotis Karousos

The Olympic Flame at the Montreal Notre-Dame Basilica

When the great pianist Claudette Denys, one of the greatest figures in Canadian opera accompanists, took hold of the score of the Olympic Flame from the creator Panagiotis Karousos, went to the piano to play the music. After a while she said, "Panagiotis this is a masterpiece, reminds Prometheus". The composer commissioned the production to her and Claudette began the preparations with enthusiasm. "We will present in Notre Dame Basilica, where there I had prepared Luciano Pavarotti for his Christmas concert ».

Bass Vasilis Asimakopoulos

Claudette Denys was an opera coach and pianist for the Opera de Montreal, and had accompanies great personalities of the opera throughout Canada, among them the partner of Maria Callas, tenor John Vickers, Greek origin contralto Tatiana Troyanos, famous bass Hans Hotter, baritone Louis Quilico, and soprano Virginia Zeani, among others. Also presented with piano and voices, at the National Canadian CBC, a TV program of operas, from Verdi's Traviata to Wagner’s Walkure. This great musician and a deep connoisseur of opera said: "The role of Deianira resembling Puccini's Butterfly, even more tragic, if we compare the suicide Deianeira’s aria is certainly more dramatic than Butterfly’s final aria».

The second part of Tetralogy "The Flame ", presented in 2005, with huge success at the Basilica Notre-Dame de Montreal, with the Symphony Orchestra Laval-Laurentides and conductor Andre Gauthier. Claudette Denys gave the role of Deianeira to dramatic soprano Nicole Lorange, well known from her collaboration with tenor Placido Domingo in big roles, but a family issue made difficult to the intensive rehearsals of Claudette and finally the role performed by soprano Natalie Petrarca. Hercules was the tenor Aldeo Jean, Macaria and Iole was the soprano Chantal Parent, baritone Yve Lortie interpreted the role of Prometheus, tenor Gaetan Sauvageau interpreted the role of Hyllus, bass Pierre Dufourd interpreted King Eurystheus, and mezzo-soprano Anne Julien the role of Alcmene. Claudette Denys oversaw everything, even she get on head of the choir, “Choeur du Tres Saint Redempteur”, and sang in the performance.

On the premiere, once finished the choir part, there was a standing ovation, mayor of Montreal Pierre Bourque called the author to come out ahead in the applause which was not posed in order to continue the Opera. More than 3,000 spectators were so impressed that featured comparable to the choral of the Nabucco of Verdi.

Grant Gilman and P. Karousos in New York

The success of the opera arrived in Greece, and the official Greek National Newspaper Eleftherotypia dedicating two extensive articles writes: «It is customary; the Greeks excel first abroad before accepting their motherland Greece. The opera Olympic Flame by Canadian composer of Greek origin Panagiotis Karousos presented at the monumental Cathedral of Montreal Notre Dame Basilica».
The success of the opera spread out worm news in the world of classical music in Montreal, and Claudette proposed an official production of the Flame or of Prometheus in the Opera of Montreal, which accepted with the term to cover a part of the production’s expenses the Greek Community or a part of Tickets. This proposal did not proceed to completion because it was hard to get a final decision the Greek associations boards, the majority of Greeks were not accustomed to this kind of music. Claudette then said: "If Panagiotis was a Jew now would be at the Metropolitan Opera of New York".

Claudette Denys, P. Karousos, A. Gauthier, P. Dufour, A. Jean

In 2007 Panagiotis Karousos presented the Olympic Flame in New York in English starring soloists from the opera of New York under the direction of maestro Grant Gilman and the Astoria Symphony Orchestra.
Deianeira was the soprano Mary Mackenzie, and Alcmene the remarkable American soprano Jessica Klein, which recently included in the soloists cast of Wagner 's Tetralogy in the Seattle opera.
In 2007 also the choral Olympic Flame was selected and presented at the Hague, Holland by the Symphony Orchestra and choir Gunst wat'n Kunst under the direction of Maestro Rafail Pylarinos. Highlights of The Flame where interpreted continuously at the municipal theaters of Montreal, Los Angeles, and New York. The soprano Chantal Parent interpreted the role of Deianeira at the Cathedral Saint-Jean-Baptiste of Montreal with Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Symphonique de la Monteregie under the direction of maestro Luc Chaput.

V. Kalkani, V. Asimakopoulos

In Greece the opera was staged in the summer of 2013 at the Garden Theatre Festival Papagou and at the Theatre Festival of Aegina Island. Deianeira was the soprano Irene Konsta, Hercules was the tenor Dinos Kalivas, Macaria the soprano Helen - Bouki Agiomyrgianaki, and Alcmene the mezzo-soprano Katerina Economopoulou. Honorifically the composer interpreted the role of King Eurystheus as baritone.
In January 2014 the Hellenic Literary Society asks Karousos to present the Olympic Flame at the Old Parliament Building, National Historical Museum of Greece.
The director was Vasilis Asimakopoulos who also interpreted Hercules and Hyllus. Deianeira was the soprano Irene Konsta, the role of Alcmene sung by soprano Nancy Papakonstantinou, and the roles of Macaria and Iole by soprano Vanessa Kalkani.
Bass Vasilis Asimakopoulos worked the opera as a Greek Tragedy, and took a consideration the ancient play of Trachiniae by Sophocles, in which the composer based the libretto of the opera, the result was an ancient tragedy in the form of opera.

Old Parliament Building

Soprano Irene Konsta gave all the desperation and passion of Deianeira.
Vasilis Asimakopoulos created a shocking finale. Highlighted a conflict of the conscience with the will. Comes Yllos angry with his mother Deianeira, Macaria desperately trying to restrain her outraged brother, in front of the shocked Alcmene. The directorial work of Vasilis Asimakopoulos in that scene and the result of the performance of the artists was a highlight of the opera, perhaps even more touching of Deianeira 's suicide, because you see brother and sister into the vortex of life faced a family tragedy for which they are not responsible. Emerged psychological aspects of the opera unknown and undefined, as the question: May Deianeira was pushed to the suicide also by the enraged Hyllus or she have had preplanned?

Soprano Chantal Parent in Montreal as Deianira

The Olympic Flame involved a psychological drama between life and death, at the center of which lies the character of Hyllus like another Hamlet. The heroes die without knowing the real cause of their death, and questions remain on all of the characters. The solution of Sophocles is evident and given in the Tragedy, but the plot of the libretto cast a dark veil inscrutable fog throughout the project.
The opera, except the majestic chorus, adorn two beautiful arias of Deianeira and Hyllus.
The melodies are not as many as in Prometheus, but resulted in an ecstatic lyricism.
The characteristic pattern of The Flame refers to the ancient beauty “Kallos”.

The Olympic Flame by Panagiotis Karousos is the second part of the Greek Tetralogy "The Dawn of Civilization" (the series are Prometheus - Olympic Flame - Alexander the Great - The Light of Christianity).
The project is associated with the legend of Hercules and the foundation of the Olympic Games, depicting the greatness of human spirit and foresight of the Greeks. It is clearly proven and accepted that Western culture has adopted their development on the philosophical works of Greek antiquity, and we are all descendants of the civilization and culture of that era, Classical Greece - Golden Age.

The second act of the project based on the tragedy "Trachiniae" by Sophocles.
On Trachiniae, the suffering and mortality of humankind represented by Deianira, which is expiated by his tragic death.
At the end of the opera, Prometheus comes after the sacrament of reconciliation with Zeus and lifts Hercules on Mount Olympus. It is the reconciliation of Humans with God in the times of demigods. The Olympic Flame is a presentation of an important project of Greek mythology and philosophy, which contributes to global culture.
Dr. Christina Tsardikos