Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral (Duomo) Corfu

Nikos Spanatis & The Woodwind Ensemble of Heptanesian Music of the Mantzaros Philharmonic Society

Saturday, 3 October 2026

Conductor: Spyros Rouvas

Countertenor Nikos Spanatis collaborates with the Woodwind Ensemble of Heptanesian Music of the "Mantzaros" Philharmonic Society for an exceptional concert on Saturday, 4 October 2026, at the Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral (Duomo) of Corfu.

This musical encounter highlights the profound relationship between the illustrious 18th-century Neapolitan School and Nikolaos Halikiopoulos-Mantzaros, exploring the aesthetic influences that shaped the musical heritage of the Heptanese (Ionian Islands). Featuring his distinctive countertenor voice, Nikos Spanatis will perform demanding and highly virtuosic arias by Porpora, Vinci, Pergolesi, Sarti, and Scarlatti—masterpieces originally composed for the leading castrati of the era. The programme is complemented by instrumental and vocal works by Nikolaos Halikiopoulos-Mantzaros.

Within the historic setting of the cathedral, this collaboration brings to life operatic arias that represent some of the most significant excerpts of the Neapolitan School, each possessing its own unique character and distinct atmosphere.


PROGRAMME

D. Cimarosa | Overture to the opera Achille

G. Sarti | Giulio Sabino | G. Sabino: “Lungi dal caro bene” | N. Spanatis

N. H. Mantzaros | Fugue No. 1, Book 5 from Partimenti

G. B. Pergolesi | Salve Regina | Contralto: “Largo” | N. Spanatis

S. Mercadante | Andante, from Concerto for Clarinet in B-flat | Georgina Skiadopoulou

L. Vinci | Artaserse | Arbace: “Vo solcando un mar crudele” | N. Spanatis

INTERMISSION

N. Porpora | Polifemo | Aci: “Alto Giove” | N. Spanatis

N. H. Mantzaros | Romance for Trumpet | Spyros El Tsampan

A. Scarlatti | La Giuditta | Nutrice: “Dormi, o fulmine di guerra” | N. Spanatis

N. A. Zingarelli | Overture to the opera Antigone

N. A. Zingarelli | Giulietta e Romeo | Romeo: “Ciel pietoso” | N. Spanatis

N. H. Mantzaros | Andante per clarinetto | Iliana Molinari

N. Halikiopoulos-Mantzaros | “Vieni a dori” | N. Spanatis

N. Halikiopoulos-Mantzaros | “Ascolta infida” | N. Spanatis

Spyridon Rouvas, Conductor

Born in Athens in 1977, Spyridon Rouvas studied music at the "Mantzaros" Philharmonic Society, the Corfu Conservatory, and the Ionian Conservatory, where he earned degrees and diplomas in Harmony, Counterpoint, Wind Instrumentation & Band Conducting, Fugue, Composition, and Trombone. He is a graduate of the Department of Music Studies of the Ionian University, holding a Master’s degree in Composition, and holds the Associate of the London College of Music (ALCM) Diploma in Conducting. He also studied Band Conducting at the Libera Accademia DAS of the Associazione Musicale Amadeus in Fermo, Italy. He has composed works for symphonic band, orchestra, chamber music ensembles, vocal music, as well as music for children's theatre, school performances, and educational songs. Furthermore, he has arranged works by several composers of the Heptanesian School for small and large wind ensembles, aiming to promote and disseminate their artistic legacy. His compositions and arrangements are published by Sheet Music Plus (www.sheetmusicplus.com) and J.W. Pepper (www.jwpepper.com). His work Prelude for Meditation for symphonic band co-won second prize at the 1st Panhellenic Composition Competition for Original Band Works, organised in 2014 by the "Mantzaros" Philharmonic Society, and he has participated in several international composition competitions. Since 2003, he has served as a music educator in primary education. He has taught Advanced Music Theory at the Ionian Conservatory since 2004, and at the Corfu Conservatory since 2019. From 2004 to 2017, he served as Conductor (Artistic Director) of the Skripero Philharmonic Association. In January 2014, he was appointed Assistant Conductor of the "Mantzaros" Philharmonic Society, and since June 2019, he has served as its Associate Conductor. Since September 2018, he has been the Artistic Director of the Centre of Heptanesian Music and Culture of the Corfu Choir. He also holds a PhD from the Department of Music Science and Art of the University of Macedonia and is a lecturer at the Department of Music Studies of the Ionian University. He has presented papers at academic conferences and delivered lectures focusing on the wind band tradition. He is a member of the Greek Composers Union, the Panhellenic Association of Conductors (PASYDAYFO), and WASBE (World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles).

The Woodwind Ensemble of Heptanesian Music of the "Mantzaros" Philharmonic Society was founded in 2014 as part of the chamber music activities of the Society. The ensemble's primary objective is to promote and disseminate the works of both historical and contemporary Heptanesian composers through past and upcoming projects. Consequently, its repertoire consists exclusively of works by Ionian composers, comprising original compositions as well as arrangements specifically crafted for this ensemble. To date, the Woodwind Ensemble has performed notable concerts both in Corfu and throughout Greece. Highlights include performances in Lefkada (2016) in collaboration with the Lefkada Music School; Kefalonia (2018) in collaboration with the Pallis Philharmonic School of Lixouri; and at the Achilleion Palace in Corfu (2022) featuring works by musicians associated with the "Mantzaros" Philharmonic Society. Among the ensemble's most prestigious international milestones are concerts at the Sala Scarlatti of the Conservatorio San Pietro a Majella in Naples (September 2024), and at the Naples Cathedral (Duomo di San Gennaro, September 2025). A crowning achievement was the historic performance—for the first time in 200 years—of the complete "12 Fugues" by Nikolaos Halikiopoulos-Mantzaros, in collaboration with the Camerata Vocalis Choir at the Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral (Duomo) of Corfu in October 2025. The ensemble was also highly active during the pandemic period, producing several recorded digital concerts. Prominent artists and ensembles have collaborated with the group, including the Camerata Vocalis Choir and the Corfu Men's Choir, as well as distinguished opera singers such as Jelena Radovanović-Banković (soprano), Elli Karydi (soprano), Marilena Kyriakopoulou (soprano), Eleni Bikou (soprano), Akis Kalmoukis (tenor), and Pantelis Kontos (baritone). Members of the ensemble also frequently perform as soloists. The ensemble is conducted by the Associate Conductor of the "Mantzaros" Philharmonic Society, Mr. Spyridon Rouvas.