ABOUT THE CITY
- - Thessaloniki at a glance
    - Friendly, charming and with a hint of mystery and wealth of cultural attractions, the second largest city in Greece is located in the northern part of the country. It is a longtime melting pot of cultures, a feature that is reflected in the spicy flavors with eastern influences, as well as flavors from France and the Balkans, as well as the cosmopolitan atmosphere.
      Read more
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  - Moments in History
    - - Moments in History
        Due to the strategic importance of the Thermaikos Gulf and its residential advantages, numerous settlements developed around it, starting in the Neolithic Era and the Bronze Age. Archaeologists have unearthed sites from the Iron Age and the later eras (9th-4th century BC). According to sources, these settlements comprised the 26 towns that united to form the city.
        Close
      - Roman Period
        The administrative organisation of the city during the Hellenistic era followed the model employed in other Greek cities. It retained a type of administrative autonomy after its conquest by the Romans, who contributed to its rapid growth.
        Close
      - Byzantine Era
        The historical character of Thessaloniki is undoubtedly linked to its Byzantine life. The walls and extant inscriptions record the tumultuous history of the city. The walled city and its monuments could reasonably be described as an open museum.
        Close
      - Ottoman Period
        The city acquired an Eastern character. Mosques were built throughout its neighbourhoods, new building complexes, religious schools, Bezesteni (an indoor market) and bathhouses became the hubs of the city’s new reality.
        Close
      - 20th & 21st Century
        The 20th century held a number of changes for Thessaloniki. In 1912, Thessaloniki was liberated from the Ottoman Empire and annexed to the Greek state. Within a few decades, major historical events took place in the city.
        Close
    - Close
- Close
DISCOVER
- - Areas of the city
    - - Ano Poli
        Behind the dense construction and apartment buildings a different Thessaloniki is discovered.
        Close
      - The Waterfront of Thessaloniki
        An ideal place for walking or biking giving performances, having coffee, meeting friends…. It’s all yours!
        Close
      - Modiano Market
        Its construction started in 1922 and finished in 1930 by architect Eli Modiano.
        
        Close
    - Close
  - Museums
  - UNESCO Monuments
    - The walled city and its monuments can reasonably be called an open Byzantine Museum. All city monuments, Byzantine, Post-Byzantine and Ottoman – have been declared as historical landmark monuments. Fifteen (15) of the Early Christian-Byzantine monuments were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988.
    - Close
  - Historical and Military Cemeteries
    - The area of Thessaloniki hosts numerous cemeteries from all historical periods. Some of them are of particular importance to the city and its people.
    - Close
  - Feel the city
    - - Markets
        Places where the past is consistent with the future. Stores that offer daily fresh products, spices, olives, fish, meat, cafes, bakeries, candy and marshmallows, restaurants and snack bars, clothes and much more.
        Close
      - Food Scene – Gastronomy
        Nowhere else in Greece can one find so many different flavours combined on the same table. Various ingredients are combined wisely and artfully to produce tasty, balanced dishes.
        Close
      - Fun & Leisure
        If you think that everyone in Thessaloniki is rushing somewhere all day, just wait until nightfall.
        Close
    - Close
- Close
VISIT
- Around Thessaloniki
- Must See
- Maps
- Close

Business

Visitor

22 C

Thessaloniki

Events

ABOUT THE CITY
- - Thessaloniki at a glance
    - Friendly, charming and with a hint of mystery and wealth of cultural attractions, the second largest city in Greece is located in the northern part of the country. It is a longtime melting pot of cultures, a feature that is reflected in the spicy flavors with eastern influences, as well as flavors from France and the Balkans, as well as the cosmopolitan atmosphere.
      Read more
    - Close
  - Moments in History
    - - Moments in History
        Due to the strategic importance of the Thermaikos Gulf and its residential advantages, numerous settlements developed around it, starting in the Neolithic Era and the Bronze Age. Archaeologists have unearthed sites from the Iron Age and the later eras (9th-4th century BC). According to sources, these settlements comprised the 26 towns that united to form the city.
        Close
      - Roman Period
        The administrative organisation of the city during the Hellenistic era followed the model employed in other Greek cities. It retained a type of administrative autonomy after its conquest by the Romans, who contributed to its rapid growth.
        Close
      - Byzantine Era
        The historical character of Thessaloniki is undoubtedly linked to its Byzantine life. The walls and extant inscriptions record the tumultuous history of the city. The walled city and its monuments could reasonably be described as an open museum.
        Close
      - Ottoman Period
        The city acquired an Eastern character. Mosques were built throughout its neighbourhoods, new building complexes, religious schools, Bezesteni (an indoor market) and bathhouses became the hubs of the city’s new reality.
        Close
      - 20th & 21st Century
        The 20th century held a number of changes for Thessaloniki. In 1912, Thessaloniki was liberated from the Ottoman Empire and annexed to the Greek state. Within a few decades, major historical events took place in the city.
        Close
    - Close
- Close
DISCOVER
- - Areas of the city
    - - Ano Poli
        Behind the dense construction and apartment buildings a different Thessaloniki is discovered.
        Close
      - The Waterfront of Thessaloniki
        An ideal place for walking or biking giving performances, having coffee, meeting friends…. It’s all yours!
        Close
      - Modiano Market
        Its construction started in 1922 and finished in 1930 by architect Eli Modiano.
        
        Close
    - Close
  - Museums
  - UNESCO Monuments
    - The walled city and its monuments can reasonably be called an open Byzantine Museum. All city monuments, Byzantine, Post-Byzantine and Ottoman – have been declared as historical landmark monuments. Fifteen (15) of the Early Christian-Byzantine monuments were included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988.
    - Close
  - Historical and Military Cemeteries
    - The area of Thessaloniki hosts numerous cemeteries from all historical periods. Some of them are of particular importance to the city and its people.
    - Close
  - Feel the city
    - - Markets
        Places where the past is consistent with the future. Stores that offer daily fresh products, spices, olives, fish, meat, cafes, bakeries, candy and marshmallows, restaurants and snack bars, clothes and much more.
        Close
      - Food Scene – Gastronomy
        Nowhere else in Greece can one find so many different flavours combined on the same table. Various ingredients are combined wisely and artfully to produce tasty, balanced dishes.
        Close
      - Fun & Leisure
        If you think that everyone in Thessaloniki is rushing somewhere all day, just wait until nightfall.
        Close
    - Close
- Close
VISIT
- Around Thessaloniki
- Must See
- Maps
- Close

Concerts

Category

Event Location

Event Organizer

september 2018

sat29sep8:00 pmsat9:00 pmTCSO in Opening Concert of Dimitria Festival 29.9.20188:00 pm - 9:00 pm(GMT+00:00)

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october 2018

mon08oct9:00 pmmon11:00 pmTCSO “IN TEMPORA BELLI - RECOVERING PEACE-”9:00 pm - 11:00 pm(GMT+00:00)

wed17oct9:00 pmwed11:00 pm"Plucking the Strings" with TCSO9:00 pm - 11:00 pm(GMT+00:00)

Event Details

17 Oct 18, 21:00

Main Ceremony Hall of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Plucking the strings

Works for quitar, mandolin, harp, kanonaki, flamenco guitar

Haris Iliadis, conductor

Free Entrance

Program:
J. Strauss Jr.: Pizzicato Polka
Ponce: Concierto del Sur, for guitar and orchestra
A. Vivaldi: Concert for mandolin and orchestra, RV 425
Cl. Debussy: Danses sacrée
et profane
for harp and string orchestra
H. Ramzy: Al Quantara for voices , kanonaki , guitar and orchestra (orchestration : Giorgos Kollias)
Hiroshi Kogure, guitar
Giorgos Goumenakis, mantolin
Katerina Kitsou, harp
Trio Bahar:
Yota Baron, flamengo song
Anastasia Zahariadou, kanonaki – flute -arabic song
Panos Kartimpelis, flamengo guitar

Conductor: Haris Iliadis

In cooperation with KEPA Municipality of Veroia

Haris Iliadis

Giorgos Goumenakis

Hiroshi Kogure

Katerina Kitsou

Yota Baron

Panagiotis Kartimpelis

ΤΡΙΟ BAHARí/ Flamenco Arabe

Χορηγοί Επικοινωνίας

Time

(Wednesday) 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm(GMT+00:00)

Calendar GoogleCal

fri26oct9:00 pmfri11:00 pmFestive Concert for Greek Independence Day 1940 with TCSO9:00 pm - 11:00 pm(GMT+00:00)

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Co-productions

Category

Event Location

Event Organizer

september 2018

wed05sep9:00 pmwed11:00 pmTCSO with Giorgos Kazantzis 5.9.20189:00 pm - 11:00 pm(GMT+00:00)

sun16sep9:00 pmsun11:00 pmTCSO with Grandbrothers 16.9.20189:00 pm - 11:00 pm(GMT+00:00)

sat29sep8:00 pmsat9:00 pmTCSO in Opening Concert of Dimitria Festival 29.9.20188:00 pm - 9:00 pm(GMT+00:00)

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Educational concerts

Category

Event Location

Event Organizer

october 2018

wed17oct10:30 pmwed12:30 pmGeneral Rehearsal for schools "Plucking the strings"10:30 pm - 12:30 pm(GMT+00:00)

Event Details

17 Oct 18, 10:30

Main Ceremony Hall of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Plucking the strings

Works for quitar, mandolin, harp, kanonaki, flamenco guitar

Haris Iliadis, conductor

With this concert on Wednesday 17.10.2018 in the ceremony hall of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with the title “Plucking the strings”, the collaboration of Thessaloniki City Symphony Orchestra and the Department of Musical Studies of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is inaugurated educational activities around the concerts of TCSO. The musicologist, composer and doctoral candidate of the Department of Music Studies of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Xenia Konstantinidou, will attend the morning concert Wednesday morning of 17.10.2018, will meet 300 students of our city, the strings, the peculiarities of the manufacturing and playing them, but will also introduce them to the style and character of the musical works of the program.

The students’ visit is organized by the Culture Directorate in cooperation with the Regional Directorate of Education of Central Macedonia and the 1st Regional Coordinators of Educational Project. In particular, general questions will be answered in the beginning about “what are the strings?”, “In what class of organs are they included?”, “How do they produce the sound?” etc .; and then they will be introduced to the season, character, but also to the individual elements of each project (composer, special play techniques). The hearing of the described work follows and the process will continue with this descriptive and audible listening structure.

Time

(Wednesday) 10:30 pm - 12:30 pm(GMT+00:00)

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On Tour

Category

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No Events

Other events

Category

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Event Organizer

september 2018

thu27sep5:27 pmthu5:27 pmFlash mob -European Car free day5:27 pm - 5:27 pm(GMT+00:00)

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Social actions

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No Events

Orchestra History

The TCSO was founded in 1987 under its original name of ‘’Municipal Orchestra’’ and its first artistic director was Kosmas Galileas. It consists of acclaimed musicians and is actively involved in the city’s musical events. Besides performing their own regularly scheduled concerts the orchestra also puts on educational concerts, it appears in co-productions with renowned artists, it has performances with other orchestras, it participates in festivals and international competitions, and it has performed concerts all over Greece and abroad, as well. From 1993-1998 the artistic direction was undertaken by conductor Dimitris Agrafiotis and from 1999-2005 by conductor Byron Fidetzis. Starting in 2013 the artistic coordinator of the orchestra was cellist Christos Gribas. From 2001 and through today the position of permanent conductor is held by Haris Iliadis. The role of artistic coordinator for the orchestra has been taken over by conductor Liza Xanthopoulou as of April 2018.

Throughout the years of its existence the TCSO has had the pleasure and honor to host great soloists and conductors such as: D. Sgouros, G. Demertzis, L. Kavakos, M. Tirimos, G. Vakarelis, G. Lazaridis, S. Katsaris, V. Repin, F.J. Sellheim, L.L. Galati, R. Moog, L. Oistrach, R. Syracuse, V. Trethiakov, K. Kelly, G. Schuller, C. Struder, Kiri Te Kanawa, and Vanessa Mae, among others. For many years the orchestra has performed the opening concert (and subsequent concerts) in the ‘’Dimitria Festival’’ which is an annual weeks-long extravaganza of cultural events and activities in Thessaloniki.

The TCSO has also collaborated with G. Dalaras, F. Pliatsikas, E. Reboutsika, Glykeria, Th. Mikroutsikos, D. Savvolpoulos, E. Karaindrou, K. Makedonas, M. Farantouri, E. Arvanitaki, and G. Gakis and the Troublemakers. The orchestra has appeared at the Athens Concert Hall, the Lycabettus Theater, as well as in numerous cities throughout Greece (Veria, Larisa, Naoussa, Mesolongi, Drama, Igoumenitsa, Kavala, Serres, Volos, Preveza, Kastoria, and Corfu, to name a few) and outside of Greece at the Ancient Theater of Ephesus and in Cyprus. It has made recordings of Vivaldi’s ‘’Four Seasons’’ with soloist L. Kavakos and maestro Kosmas Galileas and Haydn’s ‘’The Creation’’ under the direction of Byron Fidetzis in the year 2000. The TCSO has also performed many operas including ‘’The Marriage of Figaro,’’ ‘’Don Giovanni,’’ and ‘’Abduction from the Seraglio,’’(Mozart) ‘’Il Campanello Di Notte,’’ (Donizetti), ‘’The Medium’’ (Menotti), ‘’Gianni Schicchi’’ and ‘’Turandot’’ (Puccini), ‘’Momo’’ (Alkis Baltas), ‘’Il Trovatore’’and ‘’La Traviata’’ (Verdi), ‘’Salome’’ (R. Strauss), ‘’Die Fledermaus’’(J. Strauss), ‘’Carmen’’ (Bizet), ‘’Orpheus in the Underworld’’ (Offenbach) and in February of 2016 the TCSO performed for the first time in Greece the opera ‘’The Puritans’’ by V. Bellini. In addition to its work in opera the orchestra has also performed the ballet ‘’Sleeping Beauty’’ (Tchaikovsky) and the major oratorios ‘’The Passion of St. Matthew’’ ( Bach) and ‘’Missa Solemnis’’ (Beethoven).

Finally, in recognition of TCSO’s valuable contributions towards the promotion of Greek composers’ works, internationally famous composer and Boston University professor, Th. Antoniou, dedicated his first symphony to the orchestra which had its world premiere on January 19, 2003. The Thessaloniki City Symphony Orchestra supports established as well as newly emerging Greek musicians and contributes substantially to the cultural life of Greece.

The Musicians

FIRST VIOLINS
Xenariou Panagiota (Concertmaster)
Giavroumis Omiros (Concertmaster)
Chrisafi Maria (Principal)
Kaplanidis Achilleas
Megaklis Leandros
Polyzoidou Konstantina
Tsakalidis Stelios
Natco Alketa
Patras Philippos
Gialenios Nikos

SECONDS VIOLINS
Mavridis Panagiotis (Principal)
Iosifidis Georgios (Sub-Principal)
Lalos Thomas
Kanatsou Christina
Voulgaris Aristeidis
Sgouromalli Eleni
Kokkalis Konstantinos
Kalifatidou Aikaterini
Mavromatis Georgios
Dadoudis Marios
Mavridis Georgios

VIOLA
Gogousi Suzanne (Principal)
Kyriakou Maria (Sub-Principal)
Vasileiadou Aggeliki
Danailidou Olga
Mpoulasikis Apostolos
Vafeiadou Ioanna

CELLOS
Christova Maria (Principal)
Tsertonidou Tatiana (Sub-Principal)
Douka Ioulianos
Soupila Sylvia

BASSES
Panagiotou Athanasia (Principal)
Karantzis Nectarios
Zafeiriou Fotis

FLUTE
Tsoukla Ira (Principal)

CLARINETS
Karydis Odysseas (Principal)
Leontzakos Dimitris (Sub-Principal)

BASOONS
Danailidis Anastasios (Principal)
Scalai Erika (Sub-Principal)

TROMPET
Mpaharidis Nikos (Principal)

HORN
Kanellopoulos Efthimis (Sub-Principal)

TROMPONE
Chalkias Giorgios (Principal)

PERCUSSION
Katsourin Oscar (Principal)

PERSONNEL MANAGER
Danailidis Anastasios

STAGE MANAGER/LIBRARIAN
Spiridopoulos Miltos
Roidou Evelina

Conductor

Haris Iliadis

Haris Iliadis was born September 10, 1972 in Thessaloniki, Greece. He began his musical studies in piano, harmony and counterpoint at the New Conservatory of Thessaloniki. In October of 1993 he began to study conducting at the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts “Mozarteum” in Salzburg, Austria under the tutelage of Michael Gielen and Dennis Russell Davis. He graduated from the “Mozarteum” and received his diploma in conducting and the title “Magister Artium” in June, 1997.

In 1994 he was awarded the „Special Prize for young conductors of the Debrecen Philharmonic Orchestra“(voted by the musicians of the orchestra).

He has appeared as guest conductor with numerous orchestras in Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, Austria, Italy, the Ukraine and Israel.

He is the Principal Conductor and Artistic Director at the City of Thessaloniki Symphony Orchestra since August 2001 and throughout his career he has worked with distinguished soloists like Cheryl Studer, Paul Badura – Skoda, Kostas Kotsiolis, Dimitris Sgouros, various soloists of the National Opera – House etc.

Artistic Director

Lisa Xanthopoulou

Lisa Xanthopoulou was born in Thessaloniki, where she studied piano, advanced music theory and choral conducting at the State Conservatory and the Music College of Thessaloniki. In 1992, she completed her studies at the Department of Music of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki.

In 1998, she graduated from the Universtität der Künste in Berlin, where she studied orchestral conducting with maestros H.M. Rabenstein, H.D. Baum, I. Jackson and M. Husmann. During the course of her studies, she was selected by the German Music Council (Deutscher Musikrat) to participate in their support program for young conductors (Dirigentenforum), where she had the opportunity to work with distinguished maestros such as: K. Sanderling, M. Soustrot, D. Kitajenko, K. Masur, Cl. P. Flor, P. Gulke, B. Kontarsky, J. Kalitzke, and others. In 2002, she was chosen to participate in the Maestros von Morgen program (Tomorrow’s Maestros).

She has conducted performances and concerts in Germany, Italy, Cyprus, Turkey, S. Korea and Egypt. Also, she regularly collaborates with all cultural organizations in Greece.

She has received awards at international conducting competitions such as 1st prize at the 2002 Bad Homburg Conductors’ Contest and 2nd prize at the 5th A.Pedrotti Conductors’ Contest in Trento, Italy, in 1997 (no first prize was awarded that year). She was one of the three finalists in the 5th Conductors’ Contest in Cadaques, Spain.

In September 2005, she was appointed Artistic Director of Thessaloniki Opera, the first time this position was introduced. During her administration, in addition to the artistic and administrative development of Thessaloniki Opera, she also established an educational program named “Pes Opera”. This pioneering program has familiarized thousands of children and young people with opera as an art form. She introduced the “Pes Opera” Festival, which for two years was the final event of the educational program.

In April 2018 she became Artistic Director of Thessaloniki City Symphony Orchestra.

She has received enthusiastic reviews ever since her very first appearances, both in Greece and abroad.

Administration

Deputy Mayor of Culture & Arts
Chrisidou Elli

Director of the Administrative Department of Culture and Tourism
Tsaousidou-Mitraka Vassiliki

Division of Municipal Musical Groups
Nena Vasiliki – Supervisor
Gounas Paraskevas
Moloha Nikoleta
Tzoumaki Maria
Mpousekas Anastasios

Thessaloniki applauded…Edith Piaf

Η Θεσσαλονίκη χειροκρότησε την ….Edith Piaf!

Thessaloniki applauded…Edith Piaf

Η Θεσσαλονίκη χειροκρότησε την ….Edith Piaf!

‘‘Just Beethoven…’’

PRESS RELEASE A concert by the Thessaloniki City Symphony Orchestra STRONG THE TCSO AT THE MEGARO ‘‘Just Beethoven…’’ Wednesday, February 20, 2019, 21:00 Thessaloniki Concert Hall – Emilios Riadis Auditorium (M2) At a very young age he learned to play violin, piano and the church organ. By his twelfth

«La vie en rose»

PRESS RELEASE «La vie en rose» Musical dedication to Edith Piaf Region of Central Macedonia Cultural Center All proceeds will be donated to ‘’The Children’s Asylum’’ Monday, February 4, 2019/ 21:00/ Vasiliko (Royal) Theater The legend of Edith Piaf will come alive on Monday, February 4, 2019 at the Vasiliko Theater. The Region

IT’ S SHOW TIME!

IT’ S SHOW TIME! The Region of Central Macedonia Cultural Center — Thessaloniki Concert Hall — Thessaloniki Administration of Culture and Tourism — January 9, 2019 21:00/ Entrance Free Three organizations in Thessaloniki are joining together to welcome the New Year in a very melodious way. The Region of Central Macedonia

‘’The concert….of the new year’’

Concert by the Thessaloniki City Symphony Orchestra TCSO at the Concert Hall ‘’The concert….of the new year’’ Sunday December 30, 2018, 21:00 Thessaloniki Concert Hall – Emilios Riadis Auditorium (M2 Two days before we bid farewell to the past year, the Thessaloniki City Symphony Orchestra invites the public to join them in

‘’Gala Rossini – Gounod’’

2 Nov 18, 21:00 Main Ceremony Hall of the Aristotles University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki City Symphony Orchestra ‘’Gala Rossini – Gounod’’ Thessaloniki City Symphony Orchestra dedicates this concert to the 150th anniversary of the death of the Italian composer of bel canto Gioacchino Rossini and to the 200th anniversary of the birth of the French

General Rehearsal for schools from TCSO

17 Oct 18, 10:30 Main Ceremony Hall of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Plucking the strings Works for quitar, mandolin, harp, kanonaki, flamenco guitar Haris Iliadis, conductor With this concert on Wednesday 17.10.2018 in the ceremony hall of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with the title “Plucking the strings”, the collaboration of Thessaloniki City Symphony

“IN TEMPORA BELLI – RECOVERING PEACE-”with TCSO

100 years of the end of the 1st world war Main Ceremony Hall of the Aristotle University of THessaloniki 8.10.2018 21:00 Free Entrance Programm: 1.A. Mozart: Adagio και Fuga, KV546 2. Sibelius: Romance for strings,

“Plucking the strings” with TCSO

Main Ceremony Hall of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Plucking the strings Works for quitar, mandolin, harp, kanonaki, flamenco guitar Haris Iliadis, conductor Free Entrance Program: J. Strauss Jr.: Pizzicato Polka Ponce: Concierto del Sur, for guitar and orchestra A. Vivaldi: Concert for mandolin and orchestra, RV 425 Cl. Debussy: Danses sacrée

In Thessaloniki Town Hall

Photos : ΠΠ•Photography

Lazy Dragon ‘s trips

Thessaloniki City Symphony Orchestra 15/4/2019 Vasiliki Alexiou – Grigoris Pyrialakos Conduct:Dimosthenis Fotiadis 500 kids sing Photos: Sotirios Lando

The solists from tomorrow

26/3/2019 Thessaloniki concert music hall TCSO with new talents from State conservatoire from Thessaloniki Kostas Palaiogiannis, Thanasis DIamantidis, Ilias Nachmias, Faidon-Evaggelos Sachsamanoglou, Giannos Toskas, Katerina Mirtsiou, Tasos Tsonis Conduct: Haris Iliadis, Athanasios Sougounis, Dimosthenis Fotiadis, Thodoris Papadimitriou, Lisa Xanthopoulou