Skopje, 17 May 2025 (MIA) -- The State Symphony Orchestra of Thessaloniki will give a concert in Skopje for the first time, performing works by French composer and pianist Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) and Greek composer and poet Emilos Riadis (1880-1935).

According to organizers, the Skopje concert will feature the world premiere of the Symphonic suite from the opera "Galateia" (including the Prélude; Aria de Pygmalion; Danses Scythes; Finale Acte I; Galateia et Rennos; Rennos et Pygmalion; La mort de Galateia) by Riadis, whom Ravel is said to have called "my genius student" and who is considered Thessaloniki's most important composer.

The orchestra will be led by Greek conductor Vladimiros Symeonidis. Greek soprano Myrtò Papatanasiu and Macedonian pianist Simon Trpcheski will appear as soloists.

The concert program also includes Ravel's Five Greek folk songs (orchestrations by Ravel and Rosenthal); La valse; and his Piano concerto in G major, M.83 as well as Riadis' Salonique for voice and Orchestra (from the song cycle: Jasmins and Minarets) and four songs of his, orchestrated by Symeonidis, for voice and piano (Chansonnette oriental; La chanson del’ odalisque; Berceuse; and La danseuse).

The concert marks Ravel's 150th birth anniversary and Giadis' 90th death anniversary as part of a project supported by the European Union through the program "Greece 2.0 – National Recovery and Resilience Plan," organizers said. mr/