Greek vocalist, composer, and lyricist Stella Papalamprou has released a video for “Protanixin” recorded with her ensemble Zafira.
Born in Grevena, Greece, Papalamprou focuses on world music and traditional Greek repertoire. She connects archaic vocal practices with contemporary musical elements. “Protanixin” is a traditional love song from Pontus, performed in the Pontic Greek dialect. The artists featured include Giorgos Vergos on angion / tulum (Pontic bagpipe); Stella Papalamprou on vocals; and Nikos Filippides on davul.
Papalamprou co-founded the Greek-Algerian ensemble HOLImelia with Nazim Aliouche in 2011. The group released the album Microcosm in France in 2013 and later performed in France and Greece. She has also appeared in Spain, Hungary, New York, and other international settings, alongside collaborations with artists on albums and singles.
Since her move to Barcelona, Spain, in 2023, Papalamprou has developed an ensemble called Zafira. At the same time, she continues to perform and collaborate in Greece and Hungary. Zafira is deeply influenced by traditional Greek music from Epirus, Asia Minor, and Pontus. Its repertoire combines Papalamprou’s original compositions and lyrics with new interpretations of traditional songs. Notably, the arrangements preserve elements of oral transmission and archaic vocal techniques in a modern setting.
The project also addresses migration, separation, environmental decline, and the depopulation of mountainous and border regions. Papalamprou leads the ensemble on vocals and percussion and serves as composer and artistic director. Orlando Cialli performs on clarinet and duduk, while Sergio di Finizio plays electric bass and pedals.
Her academic and musical background includes law studies at Democritus University of Thrace, Greek classical philology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, legal translation studies in Athens, and classical and contemporary vocal training in Thessaloniki.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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