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Alexandra Papadjiakou

Soloist, Mezzo-Soprano
She was born in Cyprus and studied piano and harmony. She continued her studies at the Conservatoire de Paris. At the same time, she studied piano with Yvonne Lefébure. She was awarded first prize for song and lyric art and won the Toti Dal Monte award in Treviso, Italy, as well as prizes in the International Competition of Wallonia (Belgium) and the International Competition in Paris (UFAM). She made her debut in France. She took part in the festivals of Bayreuth, Montreux and Athens. In the period from 1985 to 1986, she participated in Offenbach’s operetta La Périchole at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées and debuted as Carmen. Since then, she sang in opera productions at major opera houses and concert halls in Europe and USA. She appeared at the Athens Concert Hall in a number of opera roles, including: Geneviève [Pelléas et Mélisande] (1998), Albine [Thaïs] (2009), Néris [Medea] (1994/95), etc. She interpreted works of both classical and contemporary repertoire. Under the guidance of Gian Carlo Menotti and Spiros Argiris, she evolved into one of the leading performers in the Spoleto Festival USA in Charleston. She participated in concerts dedicated to Jani Christou’s music in London and Athens. She collaborated with the Athens State Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT) and the Orchestra of Colors. She recorded for the Greek State Radio and various state radios in European countries. She worked with the GNO from 1975 to 1994, singing roles in 13 operas in 18 productions and/or revivals, such as: The Marriage of Figaro [Le nozze di Figaro], The Barber of Seville [Il barbiere di Siviglia], The Italian in Algiers [L 'Italiana in Algeri], The Siege of Corinth [L' assedio di Corinto], the Masterbuilder [Protomastoras] (2007/08, Athens Music Hall), etc.