ELIAS, synopsis
A dramatic musical exploration of drive and democracy through the eyes of journalist Elias Demetracopoulos, based on the “The Greek Connection” by James Barron.
The Greek Connection, by James Barron is the source of rich history and narrative potential on which ELIAS is based. A perusal copy of the work as PDF is available to interested parties.
The creative team for ELIAS is seeking the addition of a librettist/journalist passionate about adapting salient moments of Elias’ life into a staged drama. The writer will have a significant amount of creative input on the work and will collaborate directly with The Greek Connection author James Barron and composer/lyricist Costas Dafnis. Initial workshops are planned in San Francisco, CA. Reach out to cdafnis@sfcm.edu for more information.
The Music of Elias
The musical style of ELIAS is modern, cinematic and melodic, infused with elements of the bouzouki tunes Elias took comfort from throughout his extraordinary life and work.
Primarily in English, ELIAS incorporates fragments of Greek poetry translated as supertitles for non-Hellenic audiences. These excerpts are sourced from texts including rebetiko, a style of music that “began in the jails and hashish dens of poor Greek towns and became the popular bouzouki music of the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s.” (Gail Holst). Rebetiko has many parallels with American blues, but remains largely undiscovered by broader theatre and opera audiences.
Considered dangerous, sub-cuture and revolutionary by several governments, the style itself was censored from Greek life for a time and preserved mainly by American recordings through this period.