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ELLY PASPALA
Elly Paspala was born in New York of Greek parents. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music where she studied voice with Soprano Judith Raskin. She studied acting with the actor, William Hickey, at New York’s H.B Studios. While studying at Manhattan and after graduation, she gave many concerts throughout U.S and Canada as well as performing in operatic productions, one of which was the New York production of director Bob Wilson and composer Gavin Bryar’s opera ‘’Medea’’. Elly Paspala came to Athens in 1982 where she immediately began her exclusive musical association with Greek composer Manos Hadzidakis (film scores for ‘’Never On Sunday’’, ‘’Blue’’, ‘’Sweet Movie’’) which lasted until 1988. After this extraordinary experience, Elly Paspala continued to develop her artistic identity by beginning a solo recording career releasing her first album ‘’Sti Lampsi tou Feggariou’’(‘’In the Glow of the Moon’’) in 1988 It is an album containing 11 songs written by internationally renown songwriters and composers such as Kurt Weill, Randy Newman, Nino Rota, Nicola Piovanni and others. Elly Paspala was the supporting act for Randy Newman in his Athens concerts in 1989. Paspala’s rendition of Kurt Weill’s ‘’Youkali’’ was included in the 1990 Sony Japan’s CD Collection ‘’European Female Favorities’’. Also in 1990, she released her second solo album, ‘’Nisi ton Lotofagon’’ (‘’Island of the Lotus Eaters’’), with songs written in Greek by Stamos Semsis and Vasilis Nikolaidis. This same album was later recorded in London with English lyrics written by Lawrence Roman and released under the title ‘’Living a Lie’’ in 1991. Elly Paspala’s passion for performing and her love of direct contact with her audience have led her to countless performances throughout Greece, Europe, Japan and the United States. She has collaborated with some of Greece’s most illustrious composers, such as Manos Hadzidakis, Mikis Theodorakis, Dionysis Savvopoulos, Panayiotis Kalantzopoulos, Stamatis Kraounakis, Stamos Semsis, Evanthia Rempoutsika, Nikos Xydakis, Lena Platonos and others. The prestigious Athens Concert Hall (Megaron Mousikis) invited her to perform in January 1993. This important moment in Elly Paspala’s career was recorded live and released as ‘’Elly Paspala at Megaron Mousikis-The Athens Concert Hall’’ in 1993. In 1994, she collaborated for the first time with composer Stamatis Kraounakis on his album ‘’Music for an Image-Lady Stiletto’’. Included in her 1994 appearances was a benefit performance at the United Nations in New York, in honor of film director Jules Dassin. Her concerts also led her to Holland, where she took part in the Modern Greek Song Festival. In October of 1995, she was a feature artist for events scheduled in Atlanta in celebration of the Olympic Games, Paspala worked with composer Panayiotis Kalantzopoulos to release her CD entitled ‘’For the Habit of Love’’ in October 1997. Lyrics for the CD ‘’For the Habit of Love’’ include those written by Kalantzopoulos himself, Mihalis Ganas, Aris Davarakis, Eleni Zioga, Thodoris Gonis and Lydia Venieri. In 2001 Paspala and two long time music collaborators David Lynch and Stavros Lantsias released a live recording of their performances with songs from various composers entitled ‘’TRIO-Elly Paspala, David Lynch, Stavros Lantsias’’. After the tragic events of 9/11, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs paid tribute to the victims. Elly Paspala was invited to perform in a multi-media production presented at the Athens Concert Hall on September 11, 2002. Her latest CD ‘’Which God Should I Believe In’’ was released in 2002. Paspala worked with Greek composer Stamos Semsis and lyricists Nikos Moraitis and Yiorgos Hadzidakis. Greece held the post of European Union Presidency from January-June 2003. Prime Minister Kostas Simitis oversaw the historic expansion of the European Union to include ten new member states. Elly Paspala was invited to perform for the world leaders who attended the summit in Athens. Paspala has developed a reputation as a fine musician and singer who also uses her musical gift to work with organizations that help those in need. She has performed many benefit concerts for organizations she believes in, including Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Frontiers), Greenpeace, and many others hoping to unite music with activism for those in need. Paspala has expanded her musical repertoire to include performing on Disney films and videos brought to Greece. Her most recent Disney film being: Piglet: The Big Movie. Paspala who recently married fellow musician David Lynch and become a mother, finds the Pooh characters important for children because they address the values of friendship, kindness and generosity. Her latest performance will be held in Washington D.C this October 9th, where she will perform along with David Lynch and Stavros Lantsias in ‘’Grecia Salentina’’ a musical tribute to the Greek speaking villages of Southern Italy. The event is sponsored by the Greek and Italian Embassies in collaboration with The Niarchos Foundation, The Instituto Italiano di Cultura and The Society for the Preservation of Greek Heritage. Solo Recordings :
The Dance of the Stars 2007 Composer:E.Reboutsika-Cantini
Which God Should I Believe In 2002 Composer: Stamos Semsis-Warner Music
TRIO-Elly Paspala, David Lynch, Stavros Lantsias 2001 Live Recording-Various Composers-Warner Music
For the Habit of Love 1997 Composer: Panayiotis Kalantzopoulos-Warner Music
Music for an Image-Lady Stiletto 1994 Composer: Stamatis Kraounakis-Warner Music
Elly Paspala Live at Megaron-The Athens Concert Hall 1993 Composer: Various-Akti/Sony Music
Living a Lie 1993 Composer: Stamos Semsis-Akti/Sony Music
Island of the Lotus Eaters 1990 Composer: Stamos Semsis-Akti/Sony Music
In the Glow of the Moon 1988 Composer: Various-Akti/Sony Music Τ |
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