Archaeological Institute of America, Denver Chapter Lecture

Historic LoDo: Dr. Nikos Xanthoulis of the Academy of Athens and the Greek National Opera will present a lecture entitled “The Sounds of Ancient Greece.” Xanthoulis is an Associate Researcher with the Academy of Athens, Greece, and Head of Educational Programs with the Greek National Opera.  He holds his degrees from the Sofia Music Academy (Ph.D.), the Panteion University of Athens, and the Athens and Athenaeum Conservatories. His fields of research are ancient Greek music, the ancient Greek trumpet (Salpinx) and lyre, and the performance of ancient Greek lyric songs. 

The subject of the lecture-concert will be ancient Greek music, dating from 800 B.C. to 400 A.D. The study of this sophisticated art leads us to the roots of western culture: music, melody, chord, tone, rhythm, poetry, are all words with Greek origins. Our knowledge of ancient Greek music has increased dramatically during the last hundred years, through the evidence of archeology and art, the abundance of references to music in Greek literature from the 8th century onwards, books on ancient Greek music theory from 4th c. B.C. to 4th c. A.D that survive until nowadays, the non-literary documents, the musical scores, and many rediscovered papyri. In addition to the above-mentioned materials there is another crucial element that adds to our understanding: mythology. The lecture will also cover the myths concerning music and musicians, and will include songs performed by reconstructed instruments including the ancient lyre and the salpinx (ancient trumpet). The combination of lecture and performance will transport the audience to a world which was the cradle of western civilization.

PDF of the AIA Lecture Series. Visit AIA Denver Society’s website