RapsodiesFrontIntroduction

Irene Papas (Irene Lelekou, 1929-2022) was a renowned Greek actress and singer, who starred in over 70 films, not only in Greece but in international movies such as "The Guns Of Navarone" (1961), Michael Cacoyannis' "Zorba The Greek" (1964) and Costa-Gavras’ "Z" (1969).

Irene first met Vangelis in 1970 in Italy, where both participated on the Italian television show “Incontro con gli Aphrodite’s Child e Irene Papas”. That same year Irene contributed a controversial vocal on the ‘Infinity’ track of Aphrodite’s Child final album “666”. The two kept in touch and in 1978 decided to work together to record their first album “Odes” in Vangelis’ Nemo Studios in London, a collection of traditional Greek songs with Irene Papas singing the Greek lyrics.

“Odes” was an instant success in Greece, which called for a follow-up album, resulting in the release of “Rapsodies” in 1986. This album would be the final release by Vangelis on the Polydor label, and the last album produced in his Nemo Studios in London. In an interview in November 1982 Vangelis stated that ‘Irene and I have since recorded another album, based on old Byzantine music’, indicating that the songs heard on Rapsodies were in fact already recorded in the early 1980s. Possibly the release of the album was delayed to Vangelis’ busy work schedule after his success with “Chariots Of Fire” (1981).

“Rapsodies” is a collection of traditional Byzantine songs, several based on Orthodox Christian hymns, newly arranged by Vangelis in his signature electronic style with Irene Papas singing the Greek lyrics, to which Vangelis added two original compositions. On initial release the album was only available in Greece making it a scarce import item in the rest of the world. Fortunately availability improved in 2007 with the release of a personally remastered by Vangelis CD in Europe. The listening experience of this remaster is more clear and warm compared to the original release, personal opinions vary on which master is the best version.RapsodiesCD

Next to acting in films, Irene Papas also performed in and staged many Greek tragedies in theatres. For several of those Vangelis provided a musical score, i.e.:

  • "Electra" (1983) performed at the Epidaurus theatre in Greece
  • "Medea" (1992) performed at the Greek Theatre in Barcelona (Spain)
  • “Theodora And I” (1994) performed at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens (Greece) and at the Culturgest in Lisbon (Portugal)
  • "Las Troyanas" (2001) performed at the former Altos Hornos steel factory in Sagunto (Spain)
  • "Le Troiane ed Ecuba" (2003) performed at Tor Vergata University in Rome (Italy)
  • "Antigone" (2005) performed at the Greek Theatre in Syracuse (Italy).

In 2001 Irene Papas initiated the founding of a consortium of schools for the performing arts, allying three of the world’s most ancient cities, Sagunto (Spain), Rome (Italy) and Athens (Greece). Aged 93, Irene Papas passed away on the 14th of September 2022.

 

RapsodiesTracklistTracklist and credits

  1. Ti Ipermacho Stratigo (6:52)
  2. O! Gliki Mou Ear (8:40)
  3. Ton Nimfona Sou Viepo (1:36)
  4. Rapsodia* (5:24)
  5. Tin Oreotita Tis Parthenias Sou (4:40)
  6. Christos Anesti (7:23)
  7. Asma Asmaton* (11:12)

* composed by Vangelis

  • Arranged, produced and performed by Vangelis.
  • Vocals: Irene Papas
  • Translation of Solomon’s poem on ‘Asma Asmaton’ by Leftis Papadopoulos.
  • Sound engineer: Jess Sutcliffe
  • Assistent sound engineer: John Martin
  • Album cover design: Nikos Kostopoulos

 

RapsodiesLPInside VangelisRapsodiesLPInside IreneDiscography

CD

LP

  • 1986 Philips 829 413-1 Greece
  • 2016 Cobalt Music 5206999013631 Greece (30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition)

 

Recording studio

The music of Rapsodies was recorded in the early 1980s at Vangelis' own Nemo Studios in London.

 

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