The Greek Orthodox Community of New South Wales presented a magical evening full of nostalgia, emotion and the most beloved melodies of our country to the Sydney audience. In a packed City Recital Hall, the Greek community paid its own, unique musical tribute to Mimis Plessas , brilliantly celebrating the centenary of the birth of the unsurpassed Greek composer.
The Greek cultural tradition flooded the hall, with the audience traveling through exceptional, high-level performances. Under the impeccable guidance of the well-known conductor George Ellis , the George Doukas orchestra and band thrilled the audience. Of course, the impressions were stolen by the on-stage presence of the acclaimed Dimitris Basis , who managed to enchant the audience with his voice, while the applause was particularly warm for the beloved expatriate performer Maria Yiakoulis . For his part, the president of the Community, Con Apoifis , took the floor to welcome the audience and to thank from the bottom of his heart all the contributors for their dedication to this very demanding and excellent production.
The reaction of the Greek diaspora was truly overwhelming. The prolonged applause and the constant desire of the audience for “more” confirmed that this particular concert is already recorded as one of the top cultural moments of the Greek diaspora in Australia for 2026. After all, the work of Mimis Plessas, who was born in Athens in 1924, constitutes an invaluable national legacy.
A true “child prodigy” on the piano , Plessas early earned the title of first soloist of the National Radio, while his international recognition reached the United States. Having written music for 104 films and over 70 theatrical productions, he gifted the audience with timeless masterpieces, such as “Who Knows” and “I’ll Drink the Moon Tonight.”
This unique musical experience, however, does not stop in Sydney. The anniversary evening is preparing to travel to Melbourne , where it will be presented on Sunday, May 31, 2026 , giving other Greeks the opportunity to enjoy Dimitris Basis on a magical musical journey, dedicated to the life and work of a creator who indelibly marked our souls.
