Background Information on some Artists at the festival

submit-an-article
print this article
send-to-a-friend
Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size

The 24th Ayia Napa festival is bringing some very big names from the world of entertainment to the town but what do you really know about these artists?

Marios Fragoulis (performing on Friday) is easily the most international known name, especially in the world of Opera music. He has been around for over two decades and has built up a strong reputation for himself.

He has performed in major concerts, alongside major artists from the Classical music scene, made numerous multi-selling albums (some becoming Platinum too) and has also appeared in numerous West End shows as well as also providing his services for Charity events too. His latest album is Passione which is a tribute to Mario Lanza.

Steve Balsamo (performing on Friday with Fragoulis) should ring a bell for those who have seen "Jesus Christ Superstar" during the end of 1996 until September 1997 at the West End. Steve has also released a few albums in the past and has also writen a track for Meatloaf too.

Despoina Olimpiou (closing the festival) has been in Ayia Napa recently for the Medieval Festival which took place earlier in the year. She first appeared in the music scene back in 1999 on another artist's album, along with Gerasimou on that same album. Other than that she has also appeared with another famous Greek singer Michalis Xajiyiannis in concert who has also written a track on her new album which came out in May this year called "Mazi Horista" (meaning Together Separate).

Gerasimou Andreatos (along with Olimpiou) has also had a long career in music and two years ago had a cd out called "10 years live" covering some of the great popular singers of the past like Hadjidaki and Tsitsani (for those who know these singers.). He too has a new album out and his first solo album came out back in the mid 1990's.

There is not much further detail for the Cossack Ensemble of Moscow or for the local groups performing either. The Philharmonic Band of the Cyprus Police Force has been before to the Ayia Napa Festival, the Rhythmos dancing group are regular performers at the Municipality events and the Choir & Dancing groups of Ayia Napa are made up mainly of locals and a few other people from around the area as you would expect.

Unfortunately there is no information for the Cretan Club performing on Saturday.

Yiannakis