On the occasion of her performance at the Florence Kopleff Recital Hall in Atlanta, world-renowned Greek mezzo soprano Alexandra Gravas spoke to "Greece in America" about how the Hellenic culture and heritage inspires her work and about classical singing and opportunities for talented Greek artists. Ms Gravas belongs to the new generation of Greek singers and combines the western traditional classical singing with her Greek musical roots. 

Her performance was titled "Winged Words: Greek Poetry in Music and Song" and was supported by the Consulate of Greece in Atlanta. 

At your recent concert in Atlanta, GA you presented a special program of Modern Greek poetry set to music, celebrating the most prominent Poet of Greek Diaspora, Constantine Cavafy. As a Diaspora Greek yourself, what does it mean to be a cosmopolitan Greek nowadays?

I have always felt lucky to be part of the Hellenic World and its Heritage, and that is surely not reduced to one’s nationality! Being a 2nd Generation Greek from Germany with a Greek passport has made me from the start a Cosmopolitan in its true sense. All my upbringing in a multicultural open society has given me the opportunity to widen my horizon as a person and surely as an artist. The discovery of my Hellenic Heritage in music and poetry has become a very important part of my concert performances worldwide. In specific my latest concert project “Greek Inspirations” has traveled to China, Mexico, Brasil, Chile and Europe and it combines the elements of Hellenic subjects either in words or in music with other cultures, as for example with Chinese, Mexican, French, Spanish or others. And I hope I shall discover more and more along the way. The Hellenic Idea is Cosmopolitan and not limited, if you know how to present it!



The newly built opera house at the fascinating Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center will soon present the Greek National Opera with exciting new opportunities. In your view, what is the prospect of classical singing in Greece?

The prospect has always been there and the Greek National Opera has surely found its audience and followers. I think, that with more and more approachable projects for the interested concert goer, the interest in classical singing in Greece will grow eventually. For sure we are still far behind countries like Germany or the United Kingdom in terms of interest for the genre, but that does not mean that we don’t have potential and very talented singers in Greece. Hopefully the newly build Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center will be a place of opportunities for not only the established and known singers, but also for the upcoming ones who need a professional stage to perform and be supported through various artist programs and projects. In order to encourage young singers, you have to give them as many opportunities as possible in your own country! Let’s hope, that the new Cultural Center will be wise enough to create those opportunities.
 
With so many international performances and an impressive repertoire you are also referred as the Greek "Cultural Ambassador". How would you describe the appeal of contemporary Greek art nowadays? 

It is all a question of packaging and presentation! We have an enormous pool of talented artists ranging from composers, to singers, musicians, painters you name it. The question is, however, how many are known internationally. Of course having a successful career is a very individual thing and there is no general recipe for success. I guess, what has always been important to my work is Authenticity. Authenticity is the ultimate goal of Creativity!



Do you have any plans on future performances in the United States?

I have been asked to do so in 2017. Let’s keep fingers crossed!


Alexandra Gravas has performed in major concert halls in many countries around the world including Germany (Alte Oper Frankfurt, Munich Philharmonie), Great Britain (Queen Elisabeth Hall, The Barbican, The Purcell Room, The Dukes Hall), Greece (Megaron Concert Hall, Olympic Stadium, Herodion Atticus), Belgium (Palais des Beaux Arts), Holland (Concertgebouw), Japan (Bunka Kaikan), Austria, Spain, Israel, Sweden, Cyprus, Turkey, Hungary, Italy, USA, Malaysia, Chile, Brasil, Mexico and China, and has appeared on German, Austrian, British, Greek, Cypriot, Canadian, Swedish, Lebanese, Turkish and Israeli television and radio.

Alexandra has a wide repertoire, which includes most different styles. The performance of Greek contemporary composers form an essential part of her recital programs. She has premiered works by internationally acclaimed composers like Mikis Theodorakis, Mimis Plessas, George Tsontakis, Jonnusuke Yamamoto, Demosthenes Stephanides, Francis James Brown, Dante Borsetto, Otto Freudenthal, Alexandros Karozas, Achim Burg, Harue Kunieda.

Her recordings include: the symphonic work “Raven” by Mikis Theodorakis with the State Academic Cappella of St. Petersburg, conducted by the composer, OPERA by Dante Borsetto; “Hommage à C. Cavafy” and “The Dream of Icarus” by Alexandros Karozas, conducted by Richard Williams; “Das Wort alter Steine” and “Unstete Wege” by Achim Burg; “Blind Tears” by Demosthenes Stephanides, which won the TOMOS Contemporary Music Award in the USA. She recently released her first personal CD “Songbook 1”.