Elpiniki Zervou

The soprano Elpiniki Zervou was born in Athens. In addition to her vocal studies with K. Paschalis at the Athenaeum Conservatoire – Maria Callas (where she graduated with distinction and was awarded first prize), she also studied drama and classical ballet. Following her success at the Maria Callas Competition, her career began first as a choir soprano with the Greek Radio Choir and the Greek National Opera Choir, and then as a soloist with the leading role in *The Wedding* (I. Stravinsky) and the solo part in the 9th Symphony (L. v. Beethoven) under the baton of G. Hatzinikos. She has collaborated with other leading conductors: Michael Schönwand, Aldo Sisillo, Loukas Karitinos, Jan-Christof Sharron, Nikos Tsouhlos, Kostantinos Diminakis, Myron Michaelidis, Philip Hesketh and Anastasios Strikos, as well as with the following directors: Michael Hampe, Mario Corradi, Lars Wernecke, Rodoula Gaitanou, David Mouchtar-Samorai. She has been working with the Greek National Opera (GNO) since 1999 and has appeared in the following productions there: *Mahagonny* (Girl), *Hansel and Gretel* (Gretel, Sandman), *The Magic Flute* (Pamina, Papagena), *La Cenerentola* by G. Rossini (Clorinda), “La vie Parisienne” by J. Offenbach (Pauline), “La finta giardiniera” by W. A. Mozart (Serpetta), “Alcina” by G. F. Handel (Morgana), ‘Peter Grimes’ by B. Britten (second niece), ‘L’Italiana in Algeri’ by G. Rossini (Elvira), ‘Le nozze di Figaro’ (Susanna, Barbarina), as well as operetta roles in works such as: *Der Liebesbazillus* by C. Giannidis, *Der Patensohn* by Th. Sakellaridis, *Le fifre enchante* by J. Offenbach, *Le Docteur Miracle* by G. Bizet, *Le mariage aux lanternes* by J. Offenbach. She has performed in concert with, amongst others, the Larissa Municipal Conservatoire, the Chamber Orchestra of the Greek National Opera, the Athens Concert Hall, the Cyprus State Orchestra, the Orchestra of Colours and the Athens Municipal Orchestra. At the Gaude Mater Religious Festival in Częstochowa, Poland, Elpiniki Zervou sang works by W.A. Mozart and

F. Schubert. At the Neuköllner Oper, Elpiniki Zervou made her debut in the title role of “Vasou Aida~” (based on Verdi), a production which also toured to Thessaloniki and the Athens Festival. At the Schlosstheater Celle (Open-Air Opera Festival), she sang the role of Konstanze in *The Abduction from the Seraglio*. With the Berlin-based ensemble Camerata Europea, she performed in the motet “Exultate, jubilate” (W. A. Mozart) and in “Les Illuminations” by B. Britten. Elpiniki Zervou’s versatility was also recently demonstrated in solo parts in Mauricio Kagel’s contemporary works such as “Kantrimusik”, “Babel”, “Ensemble” and “Der Turm” (Onassis Foundation, Athens). She took part in the Greek Radio livestream broadcast to mark International Radio Day, performing a repertoire of works by Greek classical composers. In France, she has performed the role of Nedda in *I Pagliacci* by R. Leoncavallo and the role of Fiordiligi in *Così fan tutte* by W. A. Mozart (Opéra de Bauge – Opera Festival). In addition, she sang vocalises by S. Rachmaninoff, Glière and M. Ravel at the opening concert of the 2014 Bebersee Festival, and most recently played Despina in *Così fan tutte* by W. A. Mozart (GNO). Elpiniki’s first role in a musical was that of Madame Giry in *The Phantom of the Opera* with Stage Entertainment in Germany. Until July 2022, she was a member of the choir of the Städtischer Musikverein zu Düsseldorf and a SingPause teacher in Düsseldorf. Since August 2022, Elpiniki Zervou has been a member of the opera chorus at the Musiktheater im Revier.