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Tribute to Theodorakis - Vasilis Lekkas & Schneemann and friends

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 · 20:00 — 22:00

Openluchttheater Valkenburg, Valkenburg aan de Geul (LB)

concert World music date culture
Tribute to Theodorakis - Vasilis Lekkas & Schneemann and friends — Openluchttheater Valkenburg, Valkenburg aan de Geul (LB)
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Tribute to Theodorakis invites the audience into a Greek taverna: glasses clink, voices sing, musicians gather around the table. On stage stands an international ensemble rooted in classical music, jazz and folk traditions, led by Greek singer Vasilis Lekkas. Behind them, a life-sized film projection of the taverna in Piraeus where Mikis Theodorakis himself spent so much time - the musicians on stage play live alongside the musicians appearing on screen, as if the boundary between then and now momentarily dissolves.

Historical film clips of Theodorakis as singer, conductor, composer and philosopher are woven throughout. The programme is also a personal project of father and son Bart and Julian Schneemann, who have gathered musicians from around the world. The ensemble features instruments such as the Turkish ney, Italian organetto and Greek bouzouki.

Tribute to Theodorakis is an international project in collaboration with Insession.

Schneemann & Friends:
* Vasilis Lekkas - vocals
* Charis Laurijssen - bouzouki
* Emmy Storms - violin
* Romain Bly - trumpet, horn, percussion
* Simone Bottasso - organetto
* Sinan Arat - ney & vocals
* Nathalie Schaap - double bass & vocals
* Bart Schneemann - oboe
* Julian Schneemann - piano

"A love letter to Theodorakis - the Melodious, the Clear, the Compelling. A wondrous mix of cheerfulness and sorrow" (NRC)

"Everyone was making music as if the energy of Theodorakis had taken possession of their entire being" (de Nieuwe Muze)

"Vasilis Lekkas poured himself into 'Koita Me Sta Matia', a song about truth and love, after which the ensemble let approaching threat and tension thunder in 'Asma Asmaton'" (i Kathimerini)

"At the final bars of the magnificent closing song, the composer places his hand over his eyes and visibly cannot hold back tears" (Haarlems Dagblad)

"The Greeks have Mikis Theodorakis. All reason to envy them" (NRC)

Line-up

  • Vasilis Lekkas
  • Charis Laurijssen
  • Emmy Storms
  • Romain Bly
  • Simone Bottasso
  • Sinan Arat
  • Nathalie Schaap
  • Bart Schneemann
  • Julian Schneemann