Musicians - Anna Vissi

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	Musicians - Anna Vissi

Anna Vissi (in Greek: Άννα Βίσση, born December 20, 1957) is a Greek-Cypriot singer famous mainly in her home country Cyprus, Greece, and the United States.

Biography

Childhood & Origins

Anna Vissi was born in the town of Larnaca, Cyprus. She started studying music at the age of 6 at a local conservatory, while she was singing from 5 years old, every Sunday in a place for children, where she used to go with her family. She participated with her older sister, Lia, (and won the first prize) in a competition for new talents, saying she was 14 although she was 12. Two years later, she was the main singer at Y. Kotsonis opus Ayia Tilliria, which was also her first TV appearance. In 1973, her family moved to Athens, where she continued her studies at the National Conservatory and also appeared with many well-known singers, such as George Dalaras, Haris Alexiou, and Vasilis Papakonstandinou, in the famous night places of Plaka, in Athens. At the same time she was simultaneously studying law at the University of Athens. Her first important collaboration, alongside with George Dalaras, is with the composer Stavros Koujioumtzis who composed her two first songs, S' Agapo and Sta hronia tis ypomonis. In the meantime, she collaborated with many important Greek composers such as Mikis Theodorakis (1974/5), George Hadjinassios (1974), Doros Giorgiadis (1974), Nikos Karvelas (1975, who later became her husband) and Mihalis Terzis (1976).

Late 1970s

In 1977 she went on tour with Giorgos Dalaras and Haris Alexiou, giving remarkable concerts with the most famous at Rainbow, London (June). In the same year, she won the prize for best singer and best song (As Kanoume Apopse mia Arhi) of the year at the Annual Song Festival of Thessaloniki (Palai des Spor). In 1978 she was proposed by ERT (Greek National Television) to represent Greece at the 23rd Eurovision Song Contest. There were two songs to select from — Poso S'Agapo and Mr. Nobel. Finally, due to controversies between the composers of the songs, her participation was disqualified and Tania Tsanaklidou went to the contest.

1980s

1980-1982: Eurovision Song Contest

In 1980, Anna took part in the 25th Eurovision Song Contest representing Greece with the song Autostop. Two years later, she represented her native Cyprus at the 27th ESC with the song Mono i Agapi, which ended 5th with 85 points. Although the song Mono i Agapi was written by Anna Vissi herself, many people believe that Nikos Karvelas wrote it.

1983-1990: Nikos Karvelas

In 1983 she married Nikos Karvelas, a very talented composer, with whom she collaborated in 1975. After their marriage, she started a close collaboration with her husband. Since 1975, all her releases have become gold or platinum and Anna has been (along with Yorgos Dalaras and Haris Alexiou) one of the top selling Greek artists. In 1986, she participated at the Cypriot National Final for Eurovision Song Contest, with the song Thelo na Gino Star, taking second place. This song is still unreleased today. Some of her most successful albums include I Epomeni Kinisi, Tora, Empnevsi, Fotia. In 1989 she made her debut as a radio producer on ANT1 Radio. Her radio program had the title of one of her songs Ta Koritsia Ine Atakta (Girls Are Naughty) and was aired every weekend. In the same year she participated with the song Kleo at the Greek National Final for Eurovision Song Contest, ending second.

1990s

1990-1992: Demones

In the early 90s, she staged spectacular shows in Greece (along with her husband Nikos Karvelas), starting with her appearances at Diogenis Pallace and then at Rex (presenting the famous Anna Vissi Show). In November 1991, a big dream of Anna and Nikos came into being: Demones, the first Greek rock opera. It was based on a libretto by Stavros Sideras and staged at Atticon Theatre in Athens for two years. Roger Williams was the director and Anna Vissi (Queen, Rozanne), Yannis Samsiaris (Daniel), and John Modinos (Inquisitor) were the leading actors. Critics were flattering while Demones was played on foreign TV stations and attracted the attention of Broadway agents.

1992-1994

A year later in October 1993, she had the leading role of Aphrodite, in the one act opera Ode to the Gods by Stavros Sideras. It was held only once in Limassol, Cyprus, during the celebrations for the Commonwealth Day. The then-president of the Republic of Cyprus, Glafkos Kleridis, and Queen Elizabeth II, were amongst the audience. The following years Nikos and Anna released albums that became gold and platinum. They included Lampo! with Latino influences, Emis, Live!, Re!, O! Kypros with traditional Cypriot songs.

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