Photo: Jackie luke
Design: ACDC Media
Greek-Australian Collaborations
Alchimeía - Αλχημεία
Ichoyiénsi - Ιχογιένσι
To Axion Esti - TΟ ΑΞΙΟΝ ΕΣΤΙ
In a world marked by war, pandemic, and uncertainty the Eirini Ensemble brings to the concert stage songs of hope, struggle and survival from modern Greece. The name Eirini (Ειρήνη) means "Peace" in Greek language and Ichoyennisi (Ηχογέννηση) suggests rebirth with echoes of Spring. This perfectly describes our desire to breathe new life into the Greek musical classics of Mikis Theodorakis, Manis Hatzidakis and other composers of this golden age of Greek music.
The Ensemble
Theodora Volti ~ Voice Amanda Pickering ~ Violin, Voice
Jackie Luke ~ Sandouri, Voice Sandy Gibbney ~ Violin, Viola
Greg Wilson ~ Harp, Accordion Iska Sampson ~ Violin, Viola
Rita Woolhouse ~ Cello Andrew Back ~ Piano, Mandola
Jon Jones ~ Percussion
Read a review of the concert Smiths' Alternative - October 2023
“I just want to say how much I enjoyed your recent night of Greek music at Smiths. Theodora’s solos, the duets with Jackie, and the three-part harmonies with Amanda, were all absolutely beautiful. You have an ideal combination of instruments, with the very bright tones from Jackie’s sandouri, and the great melodies woven in by Rita’s cello and Greg on the harp, then the piano, and the violins, and the drum, all working beautifully well together.” Margaret Fisher 2023
The band performed for the first time as Ichoyennisi at the High Court of Australia 10 March 2019 and went on to do a second concert at the Canberra Irish Club.
Listen to the Eirini Ensemble sing the Theodorakis classic Margarita Margiapoula.
Images from the High Court of Australia 10 March 2019 - no video due to restrictions.
JACKIE LUKE PERFORMS
SANDOURI in AXION ESTI
In 2015 George Ellis conducted the first concert of Axion Esti ever to be performed in Australia to commemorate the 90th birthday of Mikis Theodorakis. In 2024 the work was again performed with sold-out concerts featuring international solosist Dimistris Basis in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Jackie Luke had the immense honour of playing the sandouri part for each perfromance.