- About Us: THALITAS vocal ensemble was first created in 1996 as an activity of the “APOLLON” Music Club by Giorgos Kaloutsis. Its first members were students of the Club's Music School and many of them participated in the Youth Choir of the city of Heraklion, under ... moreTHALITAS vocal ensemble was first created in 1996 as an activity of the “APOLLON” Music Club by Giorgos Kaloutsis. Its first members were students of the Club's Music School and many of them participated in the Youth Choir of the city of Heraklion, under the direction of Mrs. Katerina Tzagkaraki. The name of the ensemble originates from Thalitas, an ancient cretan composer and legislator, after whom a street in Heraklion is named; in this street the first rehearsals of the ensemble took place.
The ensemble's primary goal was to acquaint its members with the a cappella (“in the chapel”, without church organ accompaniment) vocal music of the renaissance period. THALITAS began by studying and performing works of renowned composers of that era (e.g. Josquin des Prez, G. P. da Palestrina, Orlando di Lasso) to assist the learning process of its members' musical studies. After a while, the ensemble's repertoire was enriched with choral works from other eras, from the antiquity to the present, as well as with adaptations and transcriptions of other musical styles.
The first official appearance of the vocal ensemble took place in September 1996, when it was awarded with the third place in the category of ancient greek music during the 14th International Festival in Karditsa. Since then it has given performances in all the major cities of Crete and in Athens. It has participated in many festivals and collaborated with other ensembles, choirs and solo artists, such as Costas Iliadis, Aleksis Froudarakis, Bernard Better, John Kiagadakis. It has made joint recitals with other vocal and muscial ensembles, such as “Cantilena”, “Avli ton Playion”, “Apollon Chamber Ensemble”. In all the above it has always been very well received by the audience.
The activities of the ensemble were interrupted in the beginning of 2003. After a hibernation period of five years, the ensemble was reassembled by former and new members, out of their love for music and out of their wish to share with a public audience a very direct and particular expression medium, the a cappella vocal music, through a musical group specialised in it.
Apart from its concerts, the ensemble tries to strenghten its public presence through secondary actions. In 2009 the website thalitas.gr was designed, where audio and visual content of its performances is archived and hosted. The ensemble rehearsals are open to the public. less - Location: Heraklion, Greece [map]
- Since: 1996
- Voices: Mixed
- Choir type: Chamber choir, Vocal Group
- Genres: Jazz, Pop/Rock, Gospel, A cappella, Classical, Folk/Ethnic, Sacred
- Website www.thalitas.gr
- Open to new singers: Yes - auditions required
