Goodbye Nana
Oct 10 2007 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo
GOWNED and bespectacled, Nana Mouskouri is instantly recognisable, and has been for more than 40 years.
In fact, she made her first record 50 years ago and has been touring pretty much constantly since 1960.
However, as she approaches her mid-70s, she has decided to retire from touring; but not before she has said “Goodbye and thank you” to her fans in the form of a Farewell World Tour.
“I’m not actually retiring from singing – if people still want me to sing I will – I’m just retiring from touring,” she said.
“It is logical for me to retire, you see I’ve served music a lot and I hope I have done some nice things, but the world belongs to the young people.
“I cannot be a surprise anymore and it’s hard to find (new) music that I like to sing.
“Also,” she adds, “I wanted to quit while I was still healthy.”
It is fitting that Mouskouri will end her career at the top.
Born in Crete in 1934, she moved with her family to Athens where she was recognised at the prestigious Athens Conservatoire as a unique voice; instead of her vocal chords being of equal size, one is thicker than the other.
She spent eight years at the Conservatoire studying classical music with a career in opera in mind but began experimenting with jazz and eventually was expelled.
Nana’s new habit of singing in jazz clubs led to a meeting with Greek composer Manos Hadjidakis and they struck up a fruitful partnership that won the Greek Song Festival two years running.
From then on there was no looking back. In 1961 Nana recorded her most famous song, The White Rose of Athens and her multi-cultural appeal – she speaks seven languages – saw her become the most successful female singer in history.
She has recorded 450 albums and her 350 million-plus album sales surpasses The Beatles and Elvis combined, with more than 300 gold, platinum and diamond discs.
“I never thought I’d do so much in my life,” she reflected. “
My life has been wonderful. I’ve seen the world, I’ve worked with so many great artists like Quincy Jones and Harry Belafonte.
“But most of all,” she pauses, “I’ve been so lucky to have been loved by so many people. The audiences who come to my shows have always shown me so much love.”
So onto the final tour. The evening begins with a short film about Mouskouri’s career – her autobiography is also due – before she arrives with a seven-piece band to perform pop, classical and jazz songs.
And the tour has been going some while now.
“Yes, it started in 2005 and will end next year in 2008.
“You have to take time to do the whole world and I want to take the opportunity to say to my fans ‘Thank you for listening to me for so many years’.
“After 47 years it won’t be easy.
“You can never leave music if you love it, but now I’ll have more time to listen.”
Nana Mouskouri’s Farewell Tour arrives at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, on Thursday, October 25. Tickets cost £27.50-£30 from 029 2084 4444.
10/26/2007
Nana News from www.greekembassy.nl/press/
Nana Mouskouri Farewell Tour
Nana Mouskouri, “a very particular case in the world popular music history” has recorded in many different languages, including Greek, French, English, German, Italian, and Spanish. For more than 40 years Nana Mouskouri has been a global singing sensation, from her earliest childhood memories of mid-Thirties in Greece to her unstoppable rise to the top. Nana Mouskouri is now on a “farewell world tour" that will carry on until 2008 with concerts worldwide.”Mouskouri's autobiography was published in Greek in 2006 under the title "My name is Nana.” French (Nana Mouskouri, La fille de la Chauve-souris, Editions XO) and English (Nana Mouskouri, Memoirs, Orion Books) versions were published earlier this month.Source: GNA
Nana Mouskouri, “a very particular case in the world popular music history” has recorded in many different languages, including Greek, French, English, German, Italian, and Spanish. For more than 40 years Nana Mouskouri has been a global singing sensation, from her earliest childhood memories of mid-Thirties in Greece to her unstoppable rise to the top. Nana Mouskouri is now on a “farewell world tour" that will carry on until 2008 with concerts worldwide.”Mouskouri's autobiography was published in Greek in 2006 under the title "My name is Nana.” French (Nana Mouskouri, La fille de la Chauve-souris, Editions XO) and English (Nana Mouskouri, Memoirs, Orion Books) versions were published earlier this month.Source: GNA
Nana News form www.kochmusic.com
4. 10. 2007
Benefizkonzert mit Nana Mouskouri in Saarbrücken unter Schirmherrschaft von Doris Pack
Die saarländische Europaabgeordnete Doris Pack übernimmt die Schirmherrschaft zu einem Benefizkonzert mit Nana Mouskouri am 15. November 2007 in Saarbrücken. Der Erlös des Konzerts ist für die Arbeit einer Europaschule in Bosnien & Herzegowina bestimmt.
Es ist das zweite Konzert dieser Art; bereits 1998 sang Nana Mouskouri in Saarbrücken, um Spenden zu sammeln für eine Europaschule in Bosnien. Gemeinsam mit Doris Pack brachte sie den damals gesammelten Betrag nach Bosnien und übergab ihn selbst vor Ort an die Schule.
"Ich freue mich sehr, dass sich Nana Mouskouri mit dem Konzert ein weiteres Mal für die Europaschule in Bosnien engagiert. Finanzielle Unterstützung wird für die dortige Arbeit dringend benötigt. Die Wunden, die ethnischen Vertreibungen hinterlassen haben, heilen auf Dauer nur, wenn Kinder der neuen Generation gemeinsam auf der Schulbank sitzen und ihre Verschiedenheit zu akzeptieren lernen" so Doris Pack.
21. 9. 2007
Nana Mouskouri bekommt Platin-Stimmgabel für ihr Lebenswerk
Am 22. September präsentiert Showmaster Dieter Thomas Heck in der Ludwigshafener Friedrich-Ebert-Halle bereits zum 27. Mal die Verleihung der Goldenen Stimmgabel. Das ZDF überträgt die große Galaveranstaltung am 3. Oktober um 21.15 Uhr. Überreicht wird der Preis von den beiden Schirmherren, dem rheinland-pfälzischen Ministerpräsidenten Kurt Beck und ZDF-Intendant Herrn Prof. Markus Schächter.
Nana Mouskouri (72) wird im Rahmen der TV-Show für ihr Lebenswerk mit einer Platin-Stimmgabel ausgezeichnet. Nana Mouskouri ist mit mehr als 250 Millionen verkauften Tonträgern eine der erfolgreichsten Sängerinnen der Welt, teilten die Veranstalter der Goldenen Stimmgabel am Montag zur Begründung mit. Im Laufe ihrer Karriere hat sie mehr als 300 Goldene, Platin- und Diamantene Schallplatten bekommen.
Nana Mouskouri wird auf Ihrer Weltabschiedstournee Ende Oktober in Irland und England gastieren. Am 15. November gibt sie ein Benefiz-Konzert zugunsten einer bosnischen Europaschule in der Saarlandhalle Saarbrücken. Weitere Konzerte stehen am 17. November in Liege, am 18. November Luxemburg und am 20. November in Genf als Benefizveranstaltungen zugunsten der Opfer der Brandkatastrophe in Griechenland auf der Agenda. Am 24. November tritt Nana Mouskouri zum letzten Mal in diesem Jahr in Europa in Paris in der Opera auf. Im nächsten Jahr wird Nana Ihre Abschiedstournee im Sommer in Griechenland beenden.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benefizkonzert mit Nana Mouskouri in Saarbrücken unter Schirmherrschaft von Doris Pack
Die saarländische Europaabgeordnete Doris Pack übernimmt die Schirmherrschaft zu einem Benefizkonzert mit Nana Mouskouri am 15. November 2007 in Saarbrücken. Der Erlös des Konzerts ist für die Arbeit einer Europaschule in Bosnien & Herzegowina bestimmt.
Es ist das zweite Konzert dieser Art; bereits 1998 sang Nana Mouskouri in Saarbrücken, um Spenden zu sammeln für eine Europaschule in Bosnien. Gemeinsam mit Doris Pack brachte sie den damals gesammelten Betrag nach Bosnien und übergab ihn selbst vor Ort an die Schule.
"Ich freue mich sehr, dass sich Nana Mouskouri mit dem Konzert ein weiteres Mal für die Europaschule in Bosnien engagiert. Finanzielle Unterstützung wird für die dortige Arbeit dringend benötigt. Die Wunden, die ethnischen Vertreibungen hinterlassen haben, heilen auf Dauer nur, wenn Kinder der neuen Generation gemeinsam auf der Schulbank sitzen und ihre Verschiedenheit zu akzeptieren lernen" so Doris Pack.
21. 9. 2007
Nana Mouskouri bekommt Platin-Stimmgabel für ihr Lebenswerk
Am 22. September präsentiert Showmaster Dieter Thomas Heck in der Ludwigshafener Friedrich-Ebert-Halle bereits zum 27. Mal die Verleihung der Goldenen Stimmgabel. Das ZDF überträgt die große Galaveranstaltung am 3. Oktober um 21.15 Uhr. Überreicht wird der Preis von den beiden Schirmherren, dem rheinland-pfälzischen Ministerpräsidenten Kurt Beck und ZDF-Intendant Herrn Prof. Markus Schächter.
Nana Mouskouri (72) wird im Rahmen der TV-Show für ihr Lebenswerk mit einer Platin-Stimmgabel ausgezeichnet. Nana Mouskouri ist mit mehr als 250 Millionen verkauften Tonträgern eine der erfolgreichsten Sängerinnen der Welt, teilten die Veranstalter der Goldenen Stimmgabel am Montag zur Begründung mit. Im Laufe ihrer Karriere hat sie mehr als 300 Goldene, Platin- und Diamantene Schallplatten bekommen.
Nana Mouskouri wird auf Ihrer Weltabschiedstournee Ende Oktober in Irland und England gastieren. Am 15. November gibt sie ein Benefiz-Konzert zugunsten einer bosnischen Europaschule in der Saarlandhalle Saarbrücken. Weitere Konzerte stehen am 17. November in Liege, am 18. November Luxemburg und am 20. November in Genf als Benefizveranstaltungen zugunsten der Opfer der Brandkatastrophe in Griechenland auf der Agenda. Am 24. November tritt Nana Mouskouri zum letzten Mal in diesem Jahr in Europa in Paris in der Opera auf. Im nächsten Jahr wird Nana Ihre Abschiedstournee im Sommer in Griechenland beenden.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nana News from independent.co.uk/
26 October 2007 09:16
Home > News > UK > This Britain
Going out on a song: Nana Mouskouri sets off on farewell tour after 40-year career
By Jonathan Brown
Published: 26 October 2007
It could have all been so different. Back in 1966, a young Nana Mouskouri, then relatively little known outside mainland Europe, embarked on a tour of the US with Harry Belafonte.
It was a big moment in her embryonic career. The calypso legend loved Nana's voice but when it came to her choice of eyewear he was unequivocal, insisting she ditch the black horn-rimmed specs on stage.
According to the fairytale legend that is her life story, Nana acceded to his demands but grew deeply unhappy. After two days of sadness it was her turn to deliver the ultimatum to Belafonte – love me, love my glasses. The glasses stayed.
Forty years on, 450 albums, 230 gold and platinum discs and 300 million records sold later, Nana Mouskouri took to the stage of St David's Hall in Cardiff last night still sporting those famous spectacles to begin the first British night of her epic farewell tour.
She will perform before sell-out crowds in Gateshead, London, Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham before decamping to Saarbrucken in Germany where the world first took notice of the commercial potential of the young Greek singer with the nightingale voice. It was there that her German language version of "White Rose from Athens" sold more than a million copies.
The Nana musical juggernaut has already rolled across the US, North America and Ireland this year before coming to Britain. After touring mainland Europe, she will then head to Australia, Asia and South America in 2008 where her loyal army of fans are waiting to bid their ageless heroine with the jet black hair and trademark centre parting, a tearful adieu.
It is not bad going for a woman who turned 73 two weeks ago. Though still clearly in rude good health and at the top of her game Mouskouri insists that, after singing for 50 years, it is time to make way for younger performers.
There can be little doubt that few singers coming through today in this increasingly fickle world can expect to emulate the kind of musical longevity she has enjoyed. Nor in this fast-moving digital age, where pop stars must reinvent themselves every few months to stay in touch, can they hope to do so by sticking so closely to the geeky image and basic musical formula that have proved so incredibly popular for Mouskouri over the decades.
Nana was born into a close-knit family in Chania, Crete, moving to Athens at the age of three. The city was occupied by the Nazis for much of her childhood yet her father, a film projectionist, and her mother who taught her the native folk songs, worked hard to get her and her sister into the Hellenic Conservatoire.
She recalls how, by night, her dad used to slip away to fight with the Greek resistance against the German invaders. Times were tough as well as dangerous and despite the money running out she continued to have lessons though her teacher's desire for her to be the next Maria Callas could not survive her nights at the city's Zaki club where she learned how to sing like her new heroines Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.
Her route to fame was the Greek national song contest and Mouskouri was later to be something of the patron saint of the later Eurovision movement, first representing Luxembourg because her native land did not have television. She eventually made an emotional performance when the contest was finally held in Greece for the first time in 2006.
Marriage came along in 1961 and her fame spread to France and Germany before her first trip to New York with legendary impresario Quincy Jones. British audiences had to wait until 1968 when she made her first television appearances on Nana and Guests .
At that time, however, the record shops were woefully unprepared and had to desperately seek out some of her records to satisfy the demands of her fans.
Yet the Nana story had another twist yet. In 1993 she was appointed as a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, undertaking a mission to visit children in Bosnia. The following year she was elected as a Member of the European parliament, representing the right wing Greek New Democracy party. She claims not to have liked politics – "it dries your heart" she once said, though despite being heckled by her fellow Eurocrats for her apparent guilelessnes, she proved an effective communicator, even joining forces with her old Eurovision sparring partner Dana when she ran for the Irish Presidency. In 1998, Mouskouri came back to the UK –that time seeking the return of the Elgin Marbles and campaigned across the world for women's rights.
She served only one term as an MEP, returning to her Unicef work and making music. Having divorced her husband in the mid-70s, she lives with her partner Andre Chapelle and plans to dedicate the rest of her life to her family and her humanitarian work. While still wearing those glasses, of course.
Interesting? Click here to explore further
Home > News > UK > This Britain
Going out on a song: Nana Mouskouri sets off on farewell tour after 40-year career
By Jonathan Brown
Published: 26 October 2007
It could have all been so different. Back in 1966, a young Nana Mouskouri, then relatively little known outside mainland Europe, embarked on a tour of the US with Harry Belafonte.
It was a big moment in her embryonic career. The calypso legend loved Nana's voice but when it came to her choice of eyewear he was unequivocal, insisting she ditch the black horn-rimmed specs on stage.
According to the fairytale legend that is her life story, Nana acceded to his demands but grew deeply unhappy. After two days of sadness it was her turn to deliver the ultimatum to Belafonte – love me, love my glasses. The glasses stayed.
Forty years on, 450 albums, 230 gold and platinum discs and 300 million records sold later, Nana Mouskouri took to the stage of St David's Hall in Cardiff last night still sporting those famous spectacles to begin the first British night of her epic farewell tour.
She will perform before sell-out crowds in Gateshead, London, Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham before decamping to Saarbrucken in Germany where the world first took notice of the commercial potential of the young Greek singer with the nightingale voice. It was there that her German language version of "White Rose from Athens" sold more than a million copies.
The Nana musical juggernaut has already rolled across the US, North America and Ireland this year before coming to Britain. After touring mainland Europe, she will then head to Australia, Asia and South America in 2008 where her loyal army of fans are waiting to bid their ageless heroine with the jet black hair and trademark centre parting, a tearful adieu.
It is not bad going for a woman who turned 73 two weeks ago. Though still clearly in rude good health and at the top of her game Mouskouri insists that, after singing for 50 years, it is time to make way for younger performers.
There can be little doubt that few singers coming through today in this increasingly fickle world can expect to emulate the kind of musical longevity she has enjoyed. Nor in this fast-moving digital age, where pop stars must reinvent themselves every few months to stay in touch, can they hope to do so by sticking so closely to the geeky image and basic musical formula that have proved so incredibly popular for Mouskouri over the decades.
Nana was born into a close-knit family in Chania, Crete, moving to Athens at the age of three. The city was occupied by the Nazis for much of her childhood yet her father, a film projectionist, and her mother who taught her the native folk songs, worked hard to get her and her sister into the Hellenic Conservatoire.
She recalls how, by night, her dad used to slip away to fight with the Greek resistance against the German invaders. Times were tough as well as dangerous and despite the money running out she continued to have lessons though her teacher's desire for her to be the next Maria Callas could not survive her nights at the city's Zaki club where she learned how to sing like her new heroines Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday.
Her route to fame was the Greek national song contest and Mouskouri was later to be something of the patron saint of the later Eurovision movement, first representing Luxembourg because her native land did not have television. She eventually made an emotional performance when the contest was finally held in Greece for the first time in 2006.
Marriage came along in 1961 and her fame spread to France and Germany before her first trip to New York with legendary impresario Quincy Jones. British audiences had to wait until 1968 when she made her first television appearances on Nana and Guests .
At that time, however, the record shops were woefully unprepared and had to desperately seek out some of her records to satisfy the demands of her fans.
Yet the Nana story had another twist yet. In 1993 she was appointed as a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, undertaking a mission to visit children in Bosnia. The following year she was elected as a Member of the European parliament, representing the right wing Greek New Democracy party. She claims not to have liked politics – "it dries your heart" she once said, though despite being heckled by her fellow Eurocrats for her apparent guilelessnes, she proved an effective communicator, even joining forces with her old Eurovision sparring partner Dana when she ran for the Irish Presidency. In 1998, Mouskouri came back to the UK –that time seeking the return of the Elgin Marbles and campaigned across the world for women's rights.
She served only one term as an MEP, returning to her Unicef work and making music. Having divorced her husband in the mid-70s, she lives with her partner Andre Chapelle and plans to dedicate the rest of her life to her family and her humanitarian work. While still wearing those glasses, of course.
Interesting? Click here to explore further
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