Language Options
Rhodes (Greece) | Organ & Music Festival Rhodes | Church of St. Francis, 1 and 2 October 2024
Born in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary in 1976, Robert Kovács received his first piano lessons by László Bojtár in his fifth year and at the age of twelve he startet to learn organ under György Peskó. At the Conservatory of Budapest he studied under Endre Virágh, and in 1994 won 1st prize at the Organ Festival for young organists in Hungary. He continued his studies at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna under Hans Haselböck and Peter Planyavsky (Church Music and Organ), graduating with distinction. In 1998 he won the 2nd Prize at the Anton Heiller International Competition for Organ Improvisation in Vienna. In 2004 he was finalist and in 2006 won the 1st Prize at the International Competition for Organ Improvisation in Haarlem, the Netherlands. Kovács won 2008 the 1st prize and the public prize at the International Competition for Organ Improvisation in Schlägl, Austria. He is titular organist of the Augustinerkirche in Vienna and organist of the Hofburgkapelle. As a member of the Wiener Choralschola he is deeply engaged with the performance of Gregorian chant. He taught organ improvisation and liturgical organ playing for the Vienna Archdiocese from 2001 to 2003 and was organist at the monastery in St Florian from 2004 to 2006. 2009 to 2015 he was Cathedral Organist in Eisenstadt, Austria. His diverse, international solo concert activity goes beyond Europe’s borders to Japan, the USA and the Middle East. He performs regularly as a partner of the Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna, the Lower Austrian Tonkünstler Orchestra, the Wiener Singverein, the Vienna Chamber Choir and the Arnold Schoenberg Choir.
Rhodes (Greece) | Organ & Music Festival Rhodes | Church of St. Francis, 2 October 2024
Flora Pelekanou was born in Rhodes. She has studied Singing and Byzantine music and has also received her Certificate in Piano and Composition (Harmony, Counterpoint and Fugue). She is a certificate recipient for the Brass Band Instrumentation, and also holds a certificate in Business Administration and Tourism. Since 1985 she has been the director of the “Apollo” Music-Literature Association of Kremasti and she has obtained a distinction in various choir festivals. In 1992 she founded the Youth Choir of the Cultural Organization of Pastida, Rhodes, and she has also founded the children’s choir and mandolin band “Keroniatis.” In 2004 she established and directed the Mixed Choir of Petalouda Municipality and she has given many concerts in Greece (Rhodes, Thessaloniki, Pharsala, Kos and Kalymnos) and abroad (Malta, Cyprus, Turkey). She has taught in various Experimental primary and secondary schools in Rhodes and every year she attends choir conducting lessons at the Summer Academy of the Ionian University of Corfu and she continues her studies in composition and violoncello.
Rhodes (Greece) | Organ & Music Festival Rhodes | Church of St. Francis, 2 October 2024
The Choir was founded in 2002 under the name Mixed Choir of Petaludes. Then it has been enriched with the mandolin orchestra and has a twenty member Variety Music Orchestra. It is active in Greece and abroad since its establishment until today. They are also active in organizing events in order to collect food, clothing and bedding to the Foundation San Andreas which covers much of the deficiencies in children’s linen.
In these difficult times, the choir and mandolin orchestra continues tirelessly to promote culture joining financially and spiritually in every cultural and humanitarian need of Rhodes.
Rhodes (Greece) | Organ & Music Festival Rhodes | Church of St. Francis, 3 – 5 October 2024
Born in Turin, by now he is known for years at an international level as one of the most remarkable performer and scholar of J.S.Bach’s opera omnia and he is also active in the art of improvisation, from the six voices motet to Passacaglia, from the Prelude and Fugue to the late romantic symphony. He studied with L.F. Tagliavini, L. Rogg, M. Radulescu, H. Vogel and P. Kee. He is further improving himself with Ton Koopman. In 1992 he won the first prize at Concorso Internazionale d’Organo “Città di Milano”. After overcoming the competition in 1994, he is the holder of the Organ and Organ Composition professorship at Conservatorio “G. Verdi” in Turin. He teaches in seminars and masterclasses, in Italian and Foreign Academies, such as Pesaro, Brescia, Turin and Timisoara. In 2006/2007 he taught at the Cathedral of Cremona for an annual course of specialization on Bach’s opera omnia. Cagnani plays in all Europe in the most prestigious festivals, like Haarlem on the famous Muller organ by S. Bavo, Groningen, Wien, Genève, Aosta, Milan, Ljubljana, Dieppe. In January 2010 he is invited to perform in China (Wuhan and Bejing) and recently in Weingarten International Festival on the huge Gabler organ of 1750 and in Freiberg (Silbermann organ 1735). As an harpsichordist he recorded Platti’s, Bach’s, Vivaldi’s, Vento’s, Sammartini’s, Rutini’s, Pachelbel’s, Hotteterre’s sonatas and concerts. As an organ player he recorded pieces by Sweelinck for Elegia Classics on Dell’Orto-Lanzini organ in Pinerolo. He is organ player at the Lutheran Church in Turin. He started the systematic study of the Bach’s cantatas with great attention to the theological aspects, the symbolisms and numerology. He is currently studying and exploring Hindustani classical music.
Rhodes (Greece) | Organ & Music Festival Rhodes | Church of St. Francis, 5 October 2024
Born in Lebanon, Fernando Afara began studying classical singing at the National Conservatory of Beirut while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music Pedagogy from Notre Dame University in Lebanon. Seeking to enhance his skills, he furthered his studies at the Conservatoire de Lyon and the Schola-Cantorum in Paris. Subsequently, he integrated the opera studio, and later continued his studies with a program focused on vocal teaching at the Haute Ecole de Musique de Genève. Fernando Afara won the 2nd prize unanimously at the 39th International Music Competition Lyceum in Switzerland in 2015. On the stage, Afara’s talent portrayed Dancaïre and Zuniga in Carmen, Le Podestat in Le Docteur Miracle by Bizet, Papageno from Die Zauberflöte by Mozart. Noteworthy performances include his rendition of Fiorello in the Rossini’s Barbier de Seville at the International Opera Festival in Avenches, Switzerland, and his portrayal of various roles in productions at Lausanne. As a soloist, Fernando Afara has participated in prestigious festivals. In 2021, Fernando Afara founded the vocal ensemble Les Solistes de Beyrouth.
Rhodes (Greece) | Organ & Music Festival Rhodes | Church of St. Francis, 5 October 2024
Les Solistes de Beyrouth is a Beirut-based vocal ensemble recently founded in 2021 by baritone and singing professor Fernando Afara. The ensemble comprises promising and talented, lyrically trained soloists, intermediate and advanced students of Mr. Afara coming from a variety of backgrounds to share their passion for singing. Despite the situation in Lebanon, the economic and financial collapse and the drastic repercussions on the lives of Lebanese people, the Soloists of Beirut aspire to enhance their potentials and capacities; promote the ideals of peace and prosperity, and believe in a Lebanon open to exchange between different cultures.
Larnaca (Cyprus) | Our Lady of Graces Catholic Church, 21 November 2024
Larnaca Progressive Movement Choir (LPMC) was founded in 1988. It’s a mixed, 4-voice choir and consists of about 45 amateur (non-professional) choristers who are joined together because of their love for music. Its repertoire consists mostly of traditional and artistic songs from Cyprus and Greek popular songs. It also includes Greek-Orthodox hymns, classical pieces and songs from all over the world. LPMC participated in several choir festivals and had cultural exchanges with choirs from other European countries bringing out the Cyprus culture. Under the leadership of Mr. Marios Lysandrou who has been its conductor since 1999, LPMC gave successful concerts with very positive comments in Greece, Italy, Romania, Poland, France, Germany, Spain and Slovakia. In 1995 he graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a Bachelor’s degree in Music (B.M.) with honors. In 1997 he received a Fulbright scholarship for the second time and he returned to the U.S.A. for a Master’s degree in Music (M.M.). In 2000 he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Athens, Greece.
Larnaca (Cyprus) | Our Lady of Graces Catholic Church, 21 November 2024
Joe Daou is a Lebanese conductor, violist, organist and musicologist, known for his impactful contributions to Lebanon’s cultural landscape. He holds a Master’s in Musicology from Notre Dame University and is currently based in Italy, where he is concluding his Master’s studies in Conducting at the Conservatorio Arrigo Boito in Parma under the guidance of Professor Pietro Veneri. Since 2012, Daou has conducted numerous ensembles and choirs, establishing himself as a versatile and dynamic conductor with a repertoire spanning classical and early music. As co-founder and principal conductor of Les Cordes Résonnantes, Daou has led the ensemble in numerous notable performances at prestigious festivals in Lebanon, Italy, and France. With additional expertise in organ restoration and an engineering background, Daou brings a unique depth to his work, enriching his approach to musical craftsmanship and innovation.
