Musical History of Zakynthos

The first orchestra of wind instruments in the Ionian Islands and the whole of Greece was created in Zakynthos in 1816 by the Italian music teacher Marco Battagel. It was called “Philharmonic Association of Zakynthos” (Philarmonikos Syllogos Zakynthou).

In 1843, a committee of eminent Zakynthians created the “Philharmonic Society of Zakynthos” (Philarmoniki Etairia Zakynthou), with 40 musicians. Originally, its maestro was the Italian Giuseppe Cricca, and later on, his compatriot Francesco Marangoni.

In 1871, the mayor of Zakynthos Frangiskos Tzoulatis assigned a committee, with the composer Pavlos Karrer as president, to found a philharmonic society. Francesco de Luigi and Anselmi were music teachers of the Philharmonic.

In 1888, the “New Philharmonic Association of Zakynthos” is founded, with the music teachers G. Domeneginis and Francesco Nicolini as its directors.

In 1889, Eugenios Maggel, a retired maestro, founds the philharmonic “Orpheus”, in which many old musicians of the Philharmonic Association participate. Odysseus Matiotsi succeeded Maggel as director of “Orpheus”.

In 1896, the “New Philharmonic Association of Zakynthos” participated in the celebratory part of the Olympic Games under the direction of Victor Mavrohis. Benedetto di Bella succeeded Mavrohis as director of the philharmonic, who in turn was succeeded by Giuseppe Schembri.

In 1900, during the mayoralty of Antonios D. Makris, and a few months after Giovani Ingenito took on its direction, the “New Philharmonic Association” is reformed, and Francesco Nicolini is once again its maestro. In 1906, Ioannis Pilikas is appointed as the new maestro of the Philharmonic, and will remain so for 36 years.

In 1929, the “Conservatoire of Zakynthos – Aikaterini Kontoni” was founded, as a bequest of the homonymous lady from Zakynthos. In 1936 the “Conservatoire Kontoni” was amalgamated with the Philharmonic thanks to the Zakynthian jurist and politician Nikolaos Kolyvas. Thus, the “Organisation of Musical Concerts and Kontoni Conservatoire” was created. In 1931 the Philharmonic was housed in the Damireion Mansion. In 1937, and for 11 months, Spyridon Bakas from Corfu took over as maestro of the Philharmonic. Ioannis Pilikas is once again appointed maestro the following year; he will keep this position until his death in 1942.

The “Musical Association David” has played an important part in the musical scene of the island since 1946. Many old musicians of the Philharmonic performed under the direction of maestro and music teacher Pierro Pantazis.

After the Second World War, the old “Philharmonic Association” is renamed “Municipal Philharmonic” and is placed under the aegis of the inhabitants of Zakynthos. Nikolaos Arvanitakis from Corfu came to Zakynthos as music teacher and maestro of the Philharmonic in 1947. He shall keep this post until 1950, when he is succeeded by Nikolaos Vlahos. Vlahos remains maestro of the Philharmonic until the fateful year of the terrible earthquake – 1953.

Antonis Giatras, student of Arvanitakis, made a new start for the Philharmonic after the earthquake-fire of 1953. The former maestro of the Musical Guard of Athens, Dionysios Visvardis carries on Giatra’s effort. Gerasimos Kanioros along with Giannis Vitsos and Antonis Giatras continued the efforts of their predecessors; however, the Philharmonic had already begun to decay.

Kostas Sampsarelos had a long-lasting presence as maestro (1960-1981), while Dionysios Kladis (1981-1987), Takis Vlahos (1987-1988) and Nikolaos Tapinis succeeded him.

In its year-long presence, the Philharmonic as well as the other musical groups played oeuvres of foreign classical repertoire, oeuvres of Greek musicians’ and serenades (kantades). They also participated in processions of the Patron Saint of the island, Saint Dionysios, and celebrations of national holidays.