The University of Iowa Center for New Music (CNM) will present C.P. Cavafy and Music, an evening of art songs and reflections celebrating the works of the esteemed Greek poet, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, in the University Capitol Centre Recital Hall.

The program will feature mezzo Alexandra Gravas, pianist Pantelis Polychronidis, and speaker Vassilis Lambropoulos, including 15 musical settings of Cavafy's poetry by composers including Dimitri Mitropolous, Manos Hadjidakis, Mikis Theodorakis, William Bolcom, Ned Rorem, and CNM Director David Gompper.

C.P. Cavafy

Constantine P. Cavafy (1863-1933), became one of the most prominent poets of the Greek language, publishing more than 150 poems and revitalizing Greek poetry. Even though he was a prominent literary figure during his lifetime, his reputation has grown after his death—especially with the availability of his poems in translations and collections—and his works have become part of the poetic canon of the 20th century throughout the world.

Although Cavafy's poems notoriously resist being set to music, composers have found the challenge irresistible. This program examines the challenges presented by the poetry and the diverse musical idioms that have been used to turn it into art song.

Gravas, a Greek singer who was born and grew up in Germany, has performed throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, and has appeared on German, Austrian, British, Greek, Cypriot, Canadian, Swedish, Turkish, and Israeli television and radio. One of her recordings won the Tomos Contemporary Music award.

Polychronidis is a collaborative pianist, educator, and scholar who performs regularly in both Europe and the United States. He is currently on the piano faculty at the Institute for the International Education of Students, Vienna, and a visiting scholar at the modern Greek program of the University of Michigan.

Visit the CNM website for complete program information and biographies.

CNM is part of the School of Music in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. For accommodations contact the UI School of Music at 319-335-1603.