Kostas Persis
Soloist, Bass, Composer
He was born in 1892 and studied in Greece and Italy, Milan, under the instruction of Giuseppe Borghi. He was a key member of the Third Greek Melodrama. He debuted in 1927 in the opera Samson and Delilah [Samson et Dalila], presented at the Panathinaikos soccer grounds, under the direction of conductor Joseph Barone. He sang in major opera houses in Europe, gaining favorable reviews. He was a member of the Association of Greek Actors since 1937. He collaborated with the GNO as director, stage manager and soloist. He directed six operas: Rigoletto (1947/48, premiere), Carmen, La traviata (1947/48) and Fidelio (Herodeium, 1949/50). He also directed the operetta The Beggar Student [Der Bettelstudent] (1946/47). In addition, he sang the role of Don Basilio in the GNO premiere of The Barber of Seville [Il barbiere di Siviglia] (1941/42).