ARTOBER

What exactly are those instruments on Greek vases? What sounds did they make and what sort of music did the ancient Greeks enjoy? Would their music have sounded anything like ours?

In a presentation on Thursday, October 25, Dr. Nikos Xanthoulis*, archaeologist and musician, will discuss ancient Greek music from 800 B.C. to 400 A.D., introducing musical instruments such as the salpinx (a type of trumpet) and the lyre, and shedding light on the performance of lyric songs by actually playing reconstructed instruments. Through his lecture/concert, Dr. Xanthoulis will demonstrate how our knowledge of ancient music has increased dramatically over the last hundred years, drawing on archaeological evidence and other sources, including art, textural references, mythology, and even musical scores and rediscovered papyri. His presentation will allow the audience not only to glimpse ancient Greek life, but also to hear it.

Nikos Xanthoulis is an Associate Researcher with the Academy of Athens in Greece, and Head of Educational Programs with the Greek National Opera. He holds his degrees from the Sofia Music Academy (Ph.D.), the Panteion University of Athens, and the Athens and Athenaeum Conservatories. His has devoted his studies to ancient Greek music, the ancient Greek trumpet (salpinx) and lyre, and the performance of ancient Greek lyric songs.

The presentation will take place at the Parthenon at 7:00pm, with a reception following. Admission is free, but reservations are required (862-8431). The Parthenon Symposia are sponsored by the Archaeological Institute of America, Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Holiday Inn, and the Conservancy for the Parthenon and Centennial Park. Funding for Dr. Xanthoulis’ lecture has been provided by the Samuel Kress Foundation in New York which strives to support the work of scholars in the fields of ancient art.

* pronounced Ksan thoo’ lis