Greece · Music
Events in Syros, Greece
Birthplace of Markos Vamvakaris, the patriarch of rebetiko (1905), and home to the 1864 Apollon Theatre - a miniature opera house in Ermoupoli that opened with Verdi's Rigoletto. Syros is the Cyclades' music island - every show on Mood.
Syros
Syros music scene
Syros has a musical pedigree out of proportion to its size. Markos Vamvakaris - the figure most associated with the birth of rebetiko, Greece's urban blues - was born in Ano Syros in 1905 and composed the classic 'Frangosyriani'; a museum in his former neighbourhood and a square with his statue (1987) commemorate him. The island's capital, Ermoupoli, was one of Greece's wealthiest 19th-century ports, and its Apollon Theatre, built 1862-64 and opened in 1864 with Verdi's Rigoletto, is often called a miniature of Milan's La Scala.
The live calendar clusters in summer and early autumn. The International Festival of Classical Music of the Cyclades has run since 2004, largely at the Apollon Theatre; the Syros Jazz Festival, founded in 2013, takes over Ermoupoli's venues each September; and a rebetiko festival in Ano Syros honours Vamvakaris in late summer. Every concert across these is on Mood.
Common questions
Why is Syros important to Greek music?
Syros is the birthplace of Markos Vamvakaris, the patriarch of rebetiko, born in Ano Syros in 1905. Its capital Ermoupoli is also home to the Apollon Theatre (1864), a miniature opera house that opened with Verdi's Rigoletto. Upcoming concerts are on Mood.
What music festivals are on in Syros?
Syros hosts the International Festival of Classical Music of the Cyclades (since 2004) at the Apollon Theatre, the Syros Jazz Festival each September (since 2013), and a rebetiko festival in Ano Syros honouring Markos Vamvakaris. Full programmes are on Mood.
Where can I hear rebetiko in Syros?
Ano Syros - Markos Vamvakaris's birthplace - is the heart of rebetiko on the island, and a dedicated rebetiko festival is held there in late summer. Upcoming rebetiko nights and concerts with tickets are listed on Mood.
About Syros
Syros, the administrative center of the Cyclades, is renowned for its unique blend of neoclassical elegance and traditional Aegean charm. The island's capital, Ermoupoli, reflects a rich maritime history with its grand mansions and vibrant squares, standing as a testament to the island's nineteenth-century prosperity. Unlike many neighboring islands, Syros offers a sophisticated cultural landscape where Orthodox and Catholic traditions have coexisted harmoniously for centuries.
