A demanding yet delightful program for two flutes, cello, and piano featuring the principal flutist of the Greek National Opera, Zacharias Tarpagkos, one of the most recognized and pioneering flutists of her generation, Ana Chifu, the cellist of the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra, Christos Grimpas, and Valeria Charitidou on piano. In the concert, they will present works by Debussy, Gluck, Delibes, Doppler, Shocker, Cimarosa, Kuhlau, Bach and Haydn.
A few details about the artists
ZACHARIAS TARPAGOS
Zacharias’ activity includes performances as a soloist in concert halls worldwide, such as the Boston Symphony Hall, Tokyo Opera, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Athens and Thessaloniki Concert Halls, and the Stavros Niarchos Hall. A collaborator of the Armonia Atenea/Friends of Music Chamber Orchestra, he has recorded period instruments for Deutsche Grammophon and Decca Classics and has appeared at international festivals including the BBC Proms in London and the Salzburg Festival in Austria. His chamber music activities have taken him to various parts of the world, including the Blue Rose Hall at Suntory Hall in Tokyo. He organizes and supports stable music education platforms for children living in extremely adverse conditions in Greece and abroad, aiming to improve their quality of life through musical interaction. He is the manager of Keys of Change. Visit www.zachflute.com
ANA CHIFU-TARPAGOS
Ana Chifu, has performed, as a soloist, across Europe with renowned ensembles such as L’Orchestre de Flûtes Français. She is also an acclaimed chamber musician at globally renowned festivals including the International Festival of Contemporary Music «Warsaw Autumn» (Poland), the International Week of New Music (Romania), the Hilltown New Music Festival (Ireland), the Tom Johnson Festival (Germany), and the Festival of Contemporary Music Happoman (Masan, South Korea). A member of the contemporary music ensemble TETTTIX and collaborator with the National Symphony Orchestra of ERT, Athens State Symphony Orchestra, Greek National Opera, and Friends of Music Chamber Orchestra, Ana expands her rich chamber music activity with upcoming performances in countries such as the Netherlands, Italy, and Finland. Believing in the transformative power of music to improve the world, Ana organizes and supports music education platforms aimed at enhancing the lives of children living in conditions of separation and adversity, fostering positive change through musical interaction.
CHRISTOS GRIMPAS
Studied at the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki (prof. D. Patras) and the Universität der Künste in Berlin, further receiving his post graduate music degree from the Folkwang Hochschule Essen (class V. Mendelssohn). He was a member of the Rhineland Youth Orchestra, the International Youth Orchestra and the E.U. Youth Orchestra. Awards include prizes (Pan-Hellenic Competition for Young Soloists 1997, International Chamber Music Competition of HELEXPO 1998) as well as merit scholarships (Music Friends Society of Athens, the “Alexandra Trianti” Trust and the “Alexandros Onasis” Foundation). He has performed as a soloist with the State Orchestra of Thessaloniki, the Municipal Orchestra of Thessaloniki, the Municipal Orchestra of Sliven and the Sofia Symphonic Orchestra. He has recorded with the Greek Radio Symphonic Orchestra. He has successfully participated in various educational projects. He currently performs as a regular member of the State Orchestra of Thessaloniki.
VALERIA CHARITIDOU
Valeria Haritidou was born in Tbilisi, Georgia. At the age of five, she began her musical studies in piano with Inessa Tschovrebashvili at the Experimental Music School in Tbilisi, graduating in 2003. She continued her studies at the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki under Victoria Vitoratou, graduating with honors in June 2007 and receiving the 2nd Prize overall. Additionally, she attended masterclasses with Nana Dimitriadis, Dora Bakopoulou, Bernard Ringaissen, Anna Kulikova, and George-Emmanuel Lazaridis. Following auditions, she collaborated with the Mediterranean Symphony Orchestra and has performed solo recitals in Georgia, Greece, Cyprus, and Italy. She has also participated in numerous chamber music concerts in collaboration with Greek and international artists such as Rudolf Koelman, Bohuslav Matusek, Nikos Mezilis, and others. In September 2011, she took part in the inaugural ceremony of the International Dimitria Festival as part of the «Music Circus – Open Air» events, and in April 2013, she recorded chamber music works for the Greek National Radio’s 3rd Program.
Valeria served as an official accompanist at the Summer Academy of Athos (2008), the seminars of the Cyprus Youth Orchestra (2009), and the Summer Academy of Old and Traditional Music in Arnaia (2012). From 2008 to 2011, she worked at the Municipal Conservatory of Thessaloniki as a teacher and accompanist. Since 2011, she has been the accompanist for the Choir of the Anatolia College Alumni Association. She has appeared as a soloist with the State Orchestra of Thessaloniki during the celebrations for European Music Day, with the Thessaloniki Municipal Orchestra, and with the Orquestra Sinfonica Cuidad de Elche.
