Ensemble Retro Wien
The Ensemble Retro Wien was founded in 2005 by Anastasios Strikos and Maria Siomos under the patronage of the Greek ambassador to Vienna, Theodoros Sotiropoulos. Its first productions, “So ist eben das Leben – The Greek Chanson” and “Megalos Erotikos” featuring music by Manos Hadjidakis, premiered at the ORF RadioKulturhaus to great acclaim and were broadcast on Ö1 radio. Subsequent productions included “Axion Esti – Blessed Be” (Ehrbar Hall, 2007) and “The Greek Passion – A Musical Pilgrimage through the Holy Week” (Ruprechtskirche, 2009). In 2010, the ensemble performed “Ihr Mädchen von Mauthausen – Homage to Iakovos Kambanellis”, commissioned by Le Relais de la Mémoire. This began a collaboration with Greek diva Nena Venetsanou, who entrusted Ensemble Retro with the world premiere of her cycle “Les Exotiques”, staged at the Odeon Theater alongside a tribute to poet Yannis Ritsos on his 101st birthday. For “Jour de la Francophonie 2011”, the ensemble presented the children’s project “The Carnival of the Animals – Camille Saint-Saëns at the Zoo” and a concert of chansons by Jacques Prévert and Joseph Kosma. Other highlights include “Many Voices – Common Quest” for the Greek EU Presidency Opening Ceremony (2014) and an homage to Melina Merkouri for her 100th birthday, featuring Elpiniki Zervou. Ensemble Retro presents original, thematic productions, often exploring lesser-known 20th-century song cycles, with outstanding young musicians from around the world.
Anastasios Strikos
Anastasios Strikos was born about half a century ago in the shadow of the Athenian Acropolis. He studied in Bavaria, but chose to live in Vienna—hoping that if he ever were to fall into the Danube, his body might eventually drift into the Mediterranean. He would, however, prefer to be cremated and scattered directly into the Aegean. Like Orpheus and Odysseus, he has visited the Underworld and returned. He remains a lifelong sorcerer’s apprentice. He plays the piano, accompanies singers, conducts musical ensembles, teaches whatever he knows, paints watercolors, reads, writes, and cooks. All the while, he strives to preserve what little human dignity and freedom he still possesses. www.strikos.at
