Media Release

Hellenic flavour to evening concert

One of Adelaide's favourite daughters - violinist Niki Vasilakis [1] - is helping to celebrate her Greek heritage in the latest concert in the Evenings at Elder Hall [2] 2009 season.

This Saturday 31 October, the Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra celebrates Greek culture in Odyssey. Part of the Greek Orthodox Community [3] Cultural Festival Program, this Hellenic-flavoured concert will kick off an evening of Greek music, food, drink and culture at the University of Adelaide's North Terrace Campus.

Vasilakis is regarded as one of the most exciting violinists to have emerged from Australia.

A graduate of the University of Adelaide's Elder Conservatorium of Music [4], Vasilakis has performed with the Sydney, Melbourne, Tasmanian and Adelaide Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra Victoria and the Queensland Orchestra. She has also performed with the Wellington Symphony Orchestra, Guangzhou Symphony Orchestra and the Prague Symphony Orchestra.

Vasilakis was Young South Australian of the Year 2008 in recognition of her outstanding achievements in music and her extensive commitment to community work, including volunteer programs and teaching community groups.

The evening concert at Elder Hall features Australian premieres of Psathas' Olympiad XXVIII, based on his Athens 2004 Opening Ceremony Music, as well as Café Neon from Greek American composer Steven Karidoyanes. Other works include Sarasathe's Carmen Fantasy for Violin and Orchestra as well as Greek Dances by Skalkottas and Zorba's Dance by Theodorakis.

Following the concert, the new principal sponsor of Evenings at Elder Hall - the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia - will also present a Greek Affair on the Goodman Lawns outside Elder Hall with food, wine and folk music as part of the finale to October's Odyssey Festival.

WHAT: Elder Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra - Odyssey Concert
part of the Greek Orthodox Community Cultural Festival Program
with soloist Niki Vasilakis Violin, conductor Keith Crellin
WHERE: Elder Hall, North Terrace Campus, University of Adelaide
WHEN: 6.30pm Saturday 31 October
COST: Tickets are $25 (adult); $20 (concession) and $15 (student). Phone the Concert Office on (08) 8303 5925 for bookings.

For full program details visit: www.elderhall.adelaide.edu.au [5]

[8]

Violinist Niki Vasilakis.
Photo by Wendy MacDougall.
Full Image (132.79K) [9]