from the blog.

Foteini Darra

Foteini Darra was born Zakynthos (the island of Zante). She studied music at the National Conservatory and acting at “Theodosiadis School of Theatrical Stud-
ies.” She appeared in front of Greek and foreign audience by participating in big concerts and theatre productions, in leading roles.

Through this course Fontini Darra has worked with the most important Greek artists and composers, has appeared in the biggest theatres of the world and has been awarded with important prizes and honors. As a singer she has given performances at the biggest ancient Greek theatres and international concert halls. Among others, she has sung as a soloist at the Small Ancient Theatre Epidavros with the American orchestra “Alea,” and many times at Herodes Atticus Ancient Theatre. She has also performed at the United Nations premises (New York) for the celebration of the 61st Anniversary of the United Nations at the Lin-
coln Center “Alice Tuli” Concert Hall (New York), and with the famous tenor Rollando Villazon they sang at the official opening of the “Biblioteca Alexandrina” (Alexandrian Library) in Egypt, as well as in Tokyo, for the “Organization for the Projection of the Greek Culture” of the Ministry of Culture.

What is more, she performed at the Inauguration Ceremony in Paris, at the United Nations premises (UNESCO), at the Central Forum, at the French National Theatre, “Orleans Wing,” and has given many performances at the Athens Music Hall. She has also sung the Introductory Theme of the media coverage for the Athens 2004 Olympics “Three Minutes to Countdown,” which was broadcast all around the world and received extraordinary reviews from the BBC as well as
from the European press. Additionally, she sung the “Inauguration Ceremony Song” for the Eurovision song contest in Athens in 2004, which was broadcast by all European networks simultaneously. Finally, she has appeared at “Palazzo Mondragone” in Naples, Italy, at the festival “Terre in movimento!” which was an encounter with the Italian musician Carlo Faiello.

With her crystal clear voice and extraordinary performance, Fontini has succeeded through the magic of music in taking the audience on a journey where notes and feelings prevail. She has worked with artists like the great tenor Rollando Villazon, Maria Farantouri, Angel Parra from Chile, Mikis Theodrakis, Christos Thivaios, Dimitris Mitropanos, Vicky Moscholiou, Nikos Mamagkakis and many others. She has collaborated with the orchestras “The Camerata Orchestra of Friends of Music,” led by Christopher Warren Green, “The Symphonic and Contemporary Music Orchestra-Greek National Network (EPT),” led by Andreas Pylari-
nos, “Orchestra of the Colours,” led by Miltos Logiadis, and “Allea,” led by Theodoros Antoniou.

As an actress, she has appeared in leading roles in productions of the National Theatre (“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Helen”), by the State Theatre of North-
ern Greece, “The Heady” (The Royal Theatre) and was among the cantors in Aristophane’s “Ornithes” (Epidavros Theatre), as well as in the musicals “Grease” and “Chicago” (vebo Theatre).

After featuring as guest in many CDs, in 2004 Fontini Darra released her first album called “Deltio Anemon” (Wind Report), including in it songs by Dimitris Papadimitrou, which were based on poems written by Greek and foreign poets and lyrists. Meanwhile, she released four other successful soundtracks, “To fos pou svinei” (Fading Light) in 2000, “Fevga” (Run Away) in 2002, “Leni” in 2003, “Oi Magisses tis Smyrnis” (The Witches of Ismir) in 2005. Furthermore, it is expected that the following soundtracks will be released in form of CD, “loanna tis Kardias” (Joan of Heart) and “Yugerman.”She participates in Dimitris Papadimitriou’s “…pou gi’Alexandrino grafei Alexanndrinos” (…for Alexandrian writes an Alexandrian), 2007, poetry by Konstantinos Kavafis set to music and in three records of Nikos Mamahkakis “Nea Ekdromi” (New Roadtrip), “Neos Erotokritos” (New Herotocretus), and “Erotokritos” (Herotocretus). Her last CD single is entitled “Chilia Matia” (A Thousand Eyes), 2007, and Italian composer Carlo Faiello participates in it.

She has been awarded with the Prize for Music for her songs in the play “To Fos pou Svinei” (Fading Light), she has also been awarded at the International Festival of Musicals for Children, she has been given an award by the Greek Arion Awards, for her interpretation of the songs “Fevga” (Run Away”) and “Leni,” and finally she was awarded for being an International Greek Woman in the Awards “Women of the Year,” organized by the magazine Life & Style.