About
Melisma Ensemble is delighted to present the Australian debut of the NikoTeini duet. NikoTeini consists of lavta (Istanbul lute, πολίτικο λαούτο) and kanun (zither, κανονάκι) virtuosos Nikos Papageorgiou and Asineth Fotini Kokkala. They are world-class Greek musicians living in Istanbul. Inspired by the traditional music of Greece and Turkey, as well as contemporary compositions written especially for them, they join Melisma Ensemble on a journey of sound for one night only in Sydney.
NikoTeini will also be performing in other cities as a duet, presented by the Greek Fringe. Check their page for details and ticket information.
A message from NikoTeini
“Hailing from Greece and living in Constantinople (Istanbul), we play and sing music that we love from the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Our story started in 2019, when we began to study music together. During Covid lockdowns, we decided to share our music every Monday through our YouTube channel.
These videos, made with as simple technical means as a mobile phone, are essentially a demonstration of the simplicity and immediacy which represent us. Thus, for at least two years through our continuous presence, we have maintained contact with our audience.
The repertoire we engage with is mostly classical or folk modal music traditions from different eras and regions; mainly those of Greece and Turkey. Additionally, we often get involved with newer compositions that we love and which suit our style.
Our journey led us to the need for a new YouTube channel section, called “NikoTeini & friends”. In it, we feature musicians we appreciate and collaborate with, such as Antonis Apergis, Apostolos Sideris, İsmail İlgün, Alexia Mouza, Efren Lopez and others.
Our most recent YouTube channel section (called “NikoTeini & composers”) is an invitation and a challenge at the same time which we pose to musicians and composers of styles different to our own. We present music they write specifically for our duet, which creates a novel type of interaction.
Coming to Australia we will have the pleasure of collaborating with Melisma Ensemble under the direction of our beloved Dimitri Koubaroulis.“
A sample from NikoTeini’s famous YouTube channel
A sample from Melisma‘s folk music performances
Event information
Tickets $60/$40 (incl. GST) + booking fee
Address: Tom Mann Theatre, 136 Chalmers St, Surry Hills NSW 2010
Getting there: 3-minute walk from Central Station (exit via Chalmers St)
Parking: There is metered street parking on both sides of Chalmers St where the theatre is located, but it can be limited depending on the time of day. There is some free 1 hr parking in adjacent streets also, but it is recommended taking public transport to the venue, as it is located a 3 minute walk from Central Station.
Accessibility: There are wheelchair accessible ramps into the venue from street level, as well as in the lobby (obscured from sight by the door on the right in the photo), disabled bathrooms and the first row of chairs in the stalls can be removed to make room for wheelchair seating if necessary.
Food & drink: Not provided at the venue.
Contact: melismaensemble@gmail.com
Sponsors
Melisma Ensemble is deeply grateful to all the anonymous and eponymous donors who made this concert possible.
Melisma Ensemble 