A musical theatre tribute marking 90 years since the birth of legendary Cretan lyra player and singer Nikos Xylouris arrives in Cyprus this September, following a sold-out run in Athens that drew almost 40,000 spectators over the winter.
Performance dates
- September 11: Limassol Garden Theatre
- September 12 & 13: Strovolos Municipal Theatre, as part of the municipality’s 10th Theatre Festival
- September 14: Pattichio Amphitheatre, Larnaca
About the production
Nikos Xylouris, the Archangel of Crete brings to life the story of the man known as the “Archangel of Crete,” from his childhood in Anogeia under Nazi occupation to his triumphant years in the music clubs of 1970s Athens, and his premature death at just 44.
Written by Zacharenia Petraki and directed by Nikorestis Chaniotakis, artistic director of the Cretan Municipal and Regional Theatre (DIPETHE), the production draws on years of research and archival material. It combines live music, previously unseen photographs and rare audio recordings with narration guided by the recollections of Xylouris’s life partner, Ourania Xylouri, who also contributed to shaping the final script.
Xylouris’s best-loved songs feature in new arrangements by Andreas Katsigiannis, with the production’s Cretan musical programme curated by renowned musician Ross Daly.
The show also revisits key figures from Greece’s artistic and cultural life who crossed paths with Xylouris, including Jenny Karezi, Costas Kazakos and Christos Leontis, alongside his enduring friendship with composer Stavros Xarchakos, which began with the landmark album Dionyse Kalokairi Mas.
Cast and crew
Narration and vocals: Melina Kana
Nikos Xylouris: Aimilianos Stamatakis
Takis Labropoulos: Memos Begnis
Psarogiorgis: Michalis Aerakis
Vocals: Giannis Mathes
Cretan music and vocals: Mathios and Rafail Damoulakis
Text: Zacharenia Petraki
Direction: Nikorestis Chaniotakis
Dramaturgy consultant: Ourania Xylouri
Orchestrations: Andreas Katsigiannis
Cretan music curation: Ross Daly
Sets: Manolis Pantelidakis
Costumes: Ioanna Kalavrou
Choreography: Elena Gerodimou
Media sponsors: Phileleftheros, Active 107.4, Down Town
