22/08/2018
40th INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL ΟF SANTORINI 2018
Forty years have gone by, since the summer of 1978, when a group of friends, the nucleus of the later Cultural Association “The Friends of Santorini” presented the first ever concert of classical music on Santorini, creating the foundation of an annual Chamber Music Festival in the heart of the Aegean. Next year, 1979, the 1st International Music Festival of Santorini was born, which soon established itself as an important event of the cultural life of the island. There followed unforgettable summers full of musical delights.
After some years the Festival extended its range well beyond chamber music. Musicians of the first International rank from Greece and from all over the world, noted chamber music groups of all instrumental combinations, chamber orchestras, well known choirs, choirs of Byzantine music, jazz and tango groups, came to Santorini to display their skills and talents before ex- cellent and attentive audiences.
A milestone in the Festival’s history was the year 1990. Since then the concerts have been held in the magnificent setting of
the Petros M. Nomikos Conference Centre in Fira, an ideal hall for concerts, combining fine architecture and excellent acoustics.
The survival of the Festival has been possible mainly by the generous and continuous hospitality and support of Mr Petros M. Nomikos himself, as well as by the support of the local society, for many of the leading tourist and commercial enterprises of the island have sponsored the festival throughout its long existence.
This year, to celebrate its 40th Jubilee, the Festival, as always under the direction of Athena Capodistria has invited a bouquet
of renowned musicians and has prepared a programme with 6 concerts of 6 different musical genres.