MAROULIA KONTOU
Text: Avgi Kalogianni | Photos: George Kavallis
Music is a language that speaks to the heart
The interview of Maroulia Kontou took place the day after the 1st Choir Meeting held by the Mythodia Conservatory. She was exhausted but exhilarated; she had managed to realize yet another plan, yet another dream of hers. Two highly competent mixed choirs had travelled all the way from Athens to meet the audience of Paros and, along with the choir of Mythodia, offer them a sensational musical evening.
A few weeks earlier, the same choir, still under the direction of Maroulia Kontou, had accomplished a challenging task: it had sung “La Marseillaise”, the national anthem of France, during the ceremony organized for the arrival of the Olympic torch on the island of Paros. “After all, I go for all that’s tough. But it was a moment we’ll always remember!”, she tells me during our meeting. A moment preceded by four months of strenuous non-stop rehearsals to enable the choristers to effectively render – in an unknown and, admittedly, vocally difficult language – the anthem of France, the country that is to host this year’s Olympic Games. The result was well worth it as they received congratulations from the representative of France as well as the French residents of Paros.
Artistic director of the Mythodia Conservatory which she founded 10 years ago, and a talented pianist with a rich resumé, Maroulia Kontou stands out for her passion and enthusiasm that don’t seem to have diminished in the 25 years of teaching she already has under her belt.
Ten years ago, shortly before “Mythodia” opened its doors, you said, “What I want is for my conservatory to kick-start peer groups, friendships, to bring forth young musicians, to have an impact on the local culture.”
Do you think you have achieved your goals?
It’s true that today, ten years later, I feel completely vindicated – at times, the result stood beyond and above my expectations. I also owe that to all those who have been inspired by me and supported my efforts throughout all these years.
What do you think is the value of choral singing?
The value of participating in a choir is significant for every age. The reasons are both pedagogical and psychological as well as social. The benefits of choral singing for participants are scientifically proven and involve helping develop children’s brains, improving breathing, learning to use one’s voice correctly, as well as a psychological uplift. On Paros, especially, where commercialization and tourism seem to be sweeping away everything in their path, the choir stands firm as a beacon of culture. Children are educated in it, realizing and experiencing the power of music, learning to discipline themselves and respect each other, becoming members of a musical family and, last but not least, developing important musical skills. At the same time, they come into contact with the diction and music of great poets and composers, which is a great stepping stone in their lives. When Theodorakis passed away, it struck me that many children didn’t know of him. Nor of Elytis, for that matter. I’ve been trying to teach them as much as I can through the choir because children must get to know our culture!
Your presence in the cultural scene of Paros is increasingly pronounced. I could call you a civically engaged musician. What do you think is an artist’s role in a local community?
The Mythodia Conservatory, as I envisioned it, is an active part of our society. We are present and available any time we might be needed. In this way, bridges are built with associations, agencies, and the Municipality. These bridges are ultimately human relationships that bring us together providing us with shared experiences and memories. Music becomes an all-encompassing veil of love as we all need a sense of belonging to a greater community. On the other hand, I believe the role of an artist is to offer stimuli, to awaken, to raise awareness, and, to the best of their ability, to set an example through their choices. I think that, in this day and age, what’s lacking is quality rather than quantity. We’re inundated with low-quality artistic products. But art’s purpose is to exalt, to lift us out of the quotidian and to redeem us. We have a great responsibility to future generations.
“Opera under the Stars”, is a much-loved institution and, by now, a point of reference in the Park Festival where wide audiences get exposed to opera and operetta. How does the ensemble work? How do you choose the songs you perform?
“Opera Under the Stars” started in 2017 with a small group of singer friends and the participation of the Mythodia Conservatory choir. Since then, prominent lyrical artists and pianists have been rotating in the ensemble. It began as an attempt to bring our students into contact with operatic and choral singing in general, but eventually it was embraced and loved by the public, always enjoying the invaluable support of the Board of Directors of Paros Park. Our repertoire invariably features famous arias from great operas that bring out the best of the singers’ potential and excite audiences. At the same time, we perform Greek songs as well as duets that bring a welcomed variation and a climax at the closing of each concert.
With the recent concert inspired by the ancient marble quarries of Paros, you gave us a sample of yet another aspect of your work. Could we say that composition is what gives a musician ultimate fulfillment?
Composition is certainly a form of accomplishment for a musician. It is also both a birth and a bequest for future generations. The concert for the ancient quarries of Paros held in October was a mystical evening. The audience’s response to my music was quite moving. It struck me how well they were able to understand and sense instrumental music. Many felt the need to communicate their feelings to me after the concert and that was really beautiful. The composition process of the work “Archilochus Rhapsody,” which is based on the poetry of Parian poet Archilochus, was a therapeutic process for me that connected me deeply with the past, present and future of our land. Music is a language that speaks directly to the heart.