Panayotis Terzakis, a versatile vocalist (bass) and performer, was born in Athens, Greece. He holds a B.A. in Music from the American College of Greece (Deree Gollege), and a Diploma in Classical Voice from the Attiko Conservatory of Athens. In August 2003 he was honored with a Fulbright Scholarship and studied at The Longy School of Music in Cambridge (Boston), from which he received his Master’s degree in Vocal Performance.
A classical singer he has had the chance to perform in Operas and Opera Galas, Oratorios and Lieder concerts but he truly established his inner artistic “voice” when he included in his repertoire songs of non-classical repertoire such as Jazz standards, Musical Theater, Chansons, Folk Ballads and Spirituals, as an interpreter who respects the roots of each song by keeping the style characteristics and who transubstantiates his life experience into music.
Therefore, he has performed works such as "La Bestiaire" (Poulenc), "Michelangelo Lieder" (Wolf), “Five Greek Folk Songs” (Ravel), "Chansons de Don Quichotte" (Ibert) Lieder and Art Songs by Schubert, Schumann, Beethoven, Berg, Mahler, Swanson, Rachmaninov as well as songs by Jacques Brel, Serge Lama, Michel Legrand, Manos Hadjidakis, Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Thelonious Monk among others.
Known for his love and respect for the music of his homeland he has given concerts with great success such as “My Hellenic Soul” (2004) and “Immortality- Greek Songs with the poetry of Nikos Gatsos” which was hosted by the American Repertory Theater. (A.R.T. - 2006) including music by Greek composers whose works are not well known outside of Greece. In 2005 he co-founded "Ensemble Trident" which dealt mainly with Byzantine Hymns Greek traditional songs, in programs that have his signature concerning the vocal arrangements and direction; they toured in several U.S. starting with participating in the 2006 So.Hi.P. Early Music Festival -till 2008 that the project was completed-, and have been accepted by the audiences with great enthusiasm.
In Europe he very often gives concerts with Gospel& Spirituals and songs from the greater American Songbook with much success bringing a taste of America into the audiences and transmitting the light and hope of the music of the African-Americans.During his studies and working in the US he had the chance to appear, study and collaborate with great artists in in many churches (of more than 20 different nominations) and recitals featuring Gospel and Spirituals as well as hymns from all around the world.
A musical ambassador he has performed in English, Italian, German, Spanish, French, Russian, Czech, and Japanese. And, of course, he performs in his native Greek language, bringing Hellenic projects to the audiences outside of Greece in order for them to be introduced to the richness and diversity of the Greek musical world and poetry. His first album "Far Away Land- songs from Greece" (PT9969- September 01, 2009) is a result of these appearances. "Far Away Land" was recently presented in the US. Asia and Europe will follow.
“Terzakis' expressive singing seemed to beckon the listeners' souls to sing as well, as he took the audience through the range of emotions experienced during the challenges of realizing one's destiny” Hellenic Voice,USA, 05/06
“People were jolted into an enthusiastic standing ovation by powerful performances of songs that described "the extraordinary travels of Hellenic music through the centuries"”. Lowell Sun, USA, 04/08
“During The Holy Week, classical music concerts are a usual event. But tonight at “Eilissos” there is truly something different happening….” Kathimerini, Greece, 04/08
“Greek/Folk music is taken to a new level with the well-trained bass vocals of Terzakis. "Far Away Land" is a touching and memorable CD filled with wonderful traditional Greek Folk music.” RadioIndy.com, USA, 10/09
"With only his voice and simple accompaniment he charmed his listeners for more than an hour. The program demonstrated the power of the individual artist working with classic cultural material—combined with a motivated audience." P. Marion (richardhowe.com), USA, 04/10
All texts, recital programs, translations, audio and visual material and photos are copyrighted and law protected. Unauthorized use or partial use prohibited. All Rights Reserved. (C) 2004-9. P. Terzakis
Photos by Lambros Papanikolatos, except as indicated (c)& (p) P.T. 2004-2009