CRETAN MUSIC HAS TO BE HUMBLE
A wild rose was the turning point for Nikos Sopasi’s great journey in
Cretan music. The "Rosary", a song that remains timeless, 40 years after
its first release, has been sung and loved by all Cretans and marked his
artistic path.
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Nikos Sopasis can be proud of what he has offered to Cretan tradition
and he has been rewarded by popular recognition. He belongs to a
generation of great masters, a man with whom God has been generous as,
apart from his virtuosity on the lyre, he has been given a very special
voice, deeply expressive.
Born in Cheliana, Mylopotamos, having roots in Livadia, Nikos Sopasis
was “meant” to be a great lyra player. Although he was forced to work
for very long either as a farmer or as a clerk at the supermarket,
because of financial difficulties, leaving aside his great love, the
lyre, his destiny led him constantly to it. An artist who has shown and
shows great respect for the musical tradition of Crete and for this
reason has gained the respect and appreciation of all those who love
Cretan music, he expresses disappointment about the current artistic
situation and speaks bluntly for those who interfere with genuine
traditional Cretan music, which he considers should be left as a legacy
for younger generations.
LINA LAGOUDIANAKI
Read the full
interview (in Greek) in STIGMES
issue no 118
Search for
Nikos Sopasi's Cretan music at Creta Shop
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