Do you think you know everything there is to know about Anna Vissi?
2014
Well, what we were expecting in 2014...never happened.
Anna's hotly anticipated new album with Nikos Karvelas kept being announced but was always postponed. In the process, other Cds were multiplying (new CD with remixes, Live CD/DVD of the 'Ena i kanena' show and the soundtrack to her rock-opera) while we saw no new releases.
Our patience was running thin as announcements from Anna's recording company kept changing and new dates being thrown around.
In the end, even Anna made a joke about it during her New Year's wish to her fans for 2015 promising a new album very soon!
Her explanation? Well, it was the new rock-opera that she preparing with Nikos Karvelas for 2015 entitled “The Bells of Eidelweiss”. Let's just say it was worth the wait!
Anna's hotly anticipated new album with Nikos Karvelas kept being announced but was always postponed. In the process, other Cds were multiplying (new CD with remixes, Live CD/DVD of the 'Ena i kanena' show and the soundtrack to her rock-opera) while we saw no new releases.
Our patience was running thin as announcements from Anna's recording company kept changing and new dates being thrown around.
In the end, even Anna made a joke about it during her New Year's wish to her fans for 2015 promising a new album very soon!
Her explanation? Well, it was the new rock-opera that she preparing with Nikos Karvelas for 2015 entitled “The Bells of Eidelweiss”. Let's just say it was worth the wait!
On the 14th April, and despite not being present, Anna played her part in Athens’s 10th Gay Pride event which took place in the city centre. Her video message appeared on big screens during concerts that took place throughout the day. In her message, Anna said: “For me, one of the most important things in life is for someone to be unique, different and to support their life choices.”
On the 31st May, Anna appeared, along with hundreds of other people, in the “1st Gay Pride of Cyprus” taking place in Nicosia supporting equal rights for all, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Her complete support for such events as the gay pride were reiterated in her interview on the 8th June for Cyprus’s Down Town magazine, entitled “Don't be afraid of something different”.
Her complete support for such events as the gay pride were reiterated in her interview on the 8th June for Cyprus’s Down Town magazine, entitled “Don't be afraid of something different”.
2014 had all the best family joys in store for both Anna Vissi and Nikos Karvelas.
At the beginning of April, Sofia Karvela married Thanasis Panourgias in New York's Town hall as we later found from...Instagram! The rumours mill went into overdrive until Anna confirmed that the wedding had taken place and it was not a practical joke played by the couple after all.
Four months later, on the 4th August, the newly-weds christened little Niko with their nearest and dearest present, at the Aksion Esti monastery, in Varnava. Little Nikos officially takes his name from his grandfather Nikos Karvelas. Sofia's close friend, Viviana Karamani, who lives and works in New York, was the child's godmother.
During these two joyous events, Anna made it clear that the right to have a family and be happy is not only reserved for some people but for everyone!!!!
At the beginning of April, Sofia Karvela married Thanasis Panourgias in New York's Town hall as we later found from...Instagram! The rumours mill went into overdrive until Anna confirmed that the wedding had taken place and it was not a practical joke played by the couple after all.
Four months later, on the 4th August, the newly-weds christened little Niko with their nearest and dearest present, at the Aksion Esti monastery, in Varnava. Little Nikos officially takes his name from his grandfather Nikos Karvelas. Sofia's close friend, Viviana Karamani, who lives and works in New York, was the child's godmother.
During these two joyous events, Anna made it clear that the right to have a family and be happy is not only reserved for some people but for everyone!!!!
The digital releases:
Anna Vissi MadWalk Show 2014 (Kaliteres mers remix, Ebnefis 2014, Pragmata 2014) Digital release
Apolito keno (2015 edition)
and the release of the CD/DVD of Demons the musical in Cyprus.
Anna Vissi MadWalk Show 2014 (Kaliteres mers remix, Ebnefis 2014, Pragmata 2014) Digital release
Apolito keno (2015 edition)
and the release of the CD/DVD of Demons the musical in Cyprus.
Anna continued her successful run with Antonis Remos in their show “Ena i kanena” at the Pantheon and in tours in Greece, Cyprus and Europe. Elsewhere, Anna makes some appearances with Takis Zaharatos across America and does a one off show in the Mykonos with the 2014 Eurovision winner, Conchita Wurst!
In her first appearance at the MadWalk show on 03/04/2015, Anna closed the show as a special guest with a medley mix of “Pragmata” and “Ebnefsi” along with her new single “Kaliteres meres”. Yet another iconic performance, Anna begins with a piano, continues with lots of dancer and concludes her appearance with all the runway models on stage with her. Alex Leon and Wedding Singers were the guest stars during her performance.
JackieO’ Beach, Mykonos, 26th of July 2014: A concert looking back at Anna Vissi's 40 years in the business along with a big summer party full of her famous and non-famous fans at the popular club in Mykonos. Anna's guest appearance for the night was Eurovision winner, Conchita Wurst.
With Antonis Remos
7/06 Carl Benz Arena, Stuttgart
2/07 – Port of Thessaloniki
7/07 – Pancretan Stadium, Heraklion
11/07 Gold Club, Rhodes
14/07 Pampeloponnisiako Stadium, Patras
3/09 GSP Stadium, Nicosia
29-30/12 Hilton Park, Nicosia
7/06 Carl Benz Arena, Stuttgart
2/07 – Port of Thessaloniki
7/07 – Pancretan Stadium, Heraklion
11/07 Gold Club, Rhodes
14/07 Pampeloponnisiako Stadium, Patras
3/09 GSP Stadium, Nicosia
29-30/12 Hilton Park, Nicosia
17/02 Life Action Trust Gala, Hellenic Motor Museum, Αthens
26/02 Air Fast tickets part
20/04 Kesselhaus, Μunich
24/05 Emperors Palace, Jo-burg
30/05 Blinkers Club, Nicosia
8/06 Fredenbaumhallen, Dortmund
13-14 & 20-21/6 Melrose Ballroom, Astoria (Her last two shows were with Takis Zaharatos)
15/06 Echostage, Washington
18/06 Royale, Boston
23/06 The Scholastic Theatre, Broadway (Guest appearance at Loukoumi & Friends Concert)
5/09 Childrens’ Festival, Nicosia
3/10 Challenge Stadium, Perth
4/10 The Croatian Club, Sydney
10/10 Hellenic Club, Canberra
17/10 Markham, Canada
12/12 Christmas Mystery, Limassol
26/02 Air Fast tickets part
20/04 Kesselhaus, Μunich
24/05 Emperors Palace, Jo-burg
30/05 Blinkers Club, Nicosia
8/06 Fredenbaumhallen, Dortmund
13-14 & 20-21/6 Melrose Ballroom, Astoria (Her last two shows were with Takis Zaharatos)
15/06 Echostage, Washington
18/06 Royale, Boston
23/06 The Scholastic Theatre, Broadway (Guest appearance at Loukoumi & Friends Concert)
5/09 Childrens’ Festival, Nicosia
3/10 Challenge Stadium, Perth
4/10 The Croatian Club, Sydney
10/10 Hellenic Club, Canberra
17/10 Markham, Canada
12/12 Christmas Mystery, Limassol
Fannatics.gr celebrated its 6th birthday and reached 10.970 members. No one stands in our way of celebrating at the theatre where Anna was appearing this year! On the 31st January, the “Ena i kanena” show opens its doors to the public at the Pantheon Theatre and welcomes guests from Greece's number 1 fan club with special priced entry tickets for this special day.
Fannatics became live with its new app! Fannatics Live, The APPsolute application for any fannatics, became available to download on phones and tablets (iOS and Android) to keep us up to date with all things Anna! The application was the result of hard work from all the fannatics.gr team under the guidance of SNQ Digital and AppBaker and gives its members easy access to Anna's photos, videos and her social media outlets.
2014 sees a bit of a renewal in the forum with exclusive chats and topics focusing on Anna's career. From Fannatic suggestions, we put in place the Video clip of the week and Album of the week to bring members closer together and discuss why they started listening to her but also what their views are on the her successful albums and video clips that she has done.
Our annual Valentine's message to Anna on the 14th February is established: this year, we sent it out via twitter with the hash-tag #agapi_einai..
In May, Conchia Wurst bursts onto our screens. If you have forgotten her already (we doubt very much) she was Austria's unique in Eurovision 2014 who went on to win the competition. Anna had already predicted her win and openly declared her support for Conchita, known at the time as Thomas, with whom she has a long standing idol-fan friendship. Thomas sang Anna's “Everything” song from Eurovision 2006 when he appeared on an Austrian talent show! Her victory celebration continued in July in Mykonos when Anna invited Conchita as her guest star at an anniversary part at Jackie O'.
Anna Vissi at the official presentation of her favourite team Panathinaikos? No.
Anna Vissi at the official presentation of the eternal rival Olimpiakos? No.
“With Anna Vissi's appearance at the official presentation of the A.O Thiras” we were reading and researching hard to find out who A.O Thiras actually was.
In the end, we figured out (as it more obvious from the name in Greek) that it was a women's volleyball team from Santorini, an island that Anna is fully in love with and visits often.
The presentation of the team and their sponsors for 2014-2015 took place on the 13th September at the KOO club in Fira Santorinis and Anna was there as a special guest!
Anna Vissi at the official presentation of the eternal rival Olimpiakos? No.
“With Anna Vissi's appearance at the official presentation of the A.O Thiras” we were reading and researching hard to find out who A.O Thiras actually was.
In the end, we figured out (as it more obvious from the name in Greek) that it was a women's volleyball team from Santorini, an island that Anna is fully in love with and visits often.
The presentation of the team and their sponsors for 2014-2015 took place on the 13th September at the KOO club in Fira Santorinis and Anna was there as a special guest!
Ceremony for her 40 years in the musical industry; Well, nearly 40.
On the 9th July, New York College's Educational Group celebrated the end of the academic year and organised a graduation ceremony in Athens in collaboration with other foreign universities in the group.
Anna Vissi was invited as a special guest at the ceremony in Athens and Pritanis awarded Anna with an Honorary Doctorate in Arts for her contribution to music!
Anna sang her hit “Ta mathitika xronia” acapella and advised the students to follow their hearts, their mind and their individuality. Referring to her career she said, “I am still on fire, I have more things I want to achieve”.
As if we didn't already know!!!
On the 9th July, New York College's Educational Group celebrated the end of the academic year and organised a graduation ceremony in Athens in collaboration with other foreign universities in the group.
Anna Vissi was invited as a special guest at the ceremony in Athens and Pritanis awarded Anna with an Honorary Doctorate in Arts for her contribution to music!
Anna sang her hit “Ta mathitika xronia” acapella and advised the students to follow their hearts, their mind and their individuality. Referring to her career she said, “I am still on fire, I have more things I want to achieve”.
As if we didn't already know!!!
3/09 Mega TV (Cyprus)
16/12 – Mega me mia (Mega channel)
On the 17th February, Anna played an unplugged show at the Greek Automobile Museum for the charity gala for Chrisanthi Lemou’s Life Action Trust Foundation.
One of the main people present on the night was Prince Michael of Kent and many other invited representatives from the Greece and the Britain’s’ business sector.
The Life Action Trust foundation gives out scholarships to talented new artists and supports other charity organisations. Other guests on the evening included: Vicky Kaya, Marieta Xrousala, Nonika Galinea along with other famous Greek faces. Meanwhile, Roula Koromila and Takis Zaharatos were the evening’s presenters.
This is the third time that Anna has been in the company of British royalty. Anna previously sang at Prince Charle’s birthday (2001) and at another similar charity gala of Christanthi Lemou’s which took place at Kensington Palace (2008).
One of the main people present on the night was Prince Michael of Kent and many other invited representatives from the Greece and the Britain’s’ business sector.
The Life Action Trust foundation gives out scholarships to talented new artists and supports other charity organisations. Other guests on the evening included: Vicky Kaya, Marieta Xrousala, Nonika Galinea along with other famous Greek faces. Meanwhile, Roula Koromila and Takis Zaharatos were the evening’s presenters.
This is the third time that Anna has been in the company of British royalty. Anna previously sang at Prince Charle’s birthday (2001) and at another similar charity gala of Christanthi Lemou’s which took place at Kensington Palace (2008).
“I have been in the Church’s firing line twice now. The first time, they accused me of acting unsuitably because I would sing and…shut my eyes (1970). The second time, it was while we were doing the first run of Demons the musical (1990), the Church presumed Karvelas and I were “Satanists” because our rock-opera broached themes of Satanism and Demonism."
24/08 – Down Town magazine (Cyprus)
24/08 – Down Town magazine (Cyprus)
“- What has been your career highlight so far?”
I think it was when I played the role of Mala. The plot, the music and the period of my life at the time will forever be engraved in my body and soul. When I look back at that play, the emotion I feel is far greater and different than for anything else that I have done since.”
13/07 - Newspaper Proto Thema
I think it was when I played the role of Mala. The plot, the music and the period of my life at the time will forever be engraved in my body and soul. When I look back at that play, the emotion I feel is far greater and different than for anything else that I have done since.”
13/07 - Newspaper Proto Thema
“Would you collaborate again with other colleagues, like Anna Vissi?”
Why not? I do not have barriers or limitations in my choice of who I work with. In any case, it is never just my choice but a joint decision of both artists. It takes two to tango! On the other hand, it depends on the season, the timing, the reason for collaboration. Seen as you mentioned Anna, we have worked together on many occasions, I met her at the start of her career and we worked really well together! She is a legendary artist!”
01/04 - Yiannis Parios, Interview on Joy TV
Why not? I do not have barriers or limitations in my choice of who I work with. In any case, it is never just my choice but a joint decision of both artists. It takes two to tango! On the other hand, it depends on the season, the timing, the reason for collaboration. Seen as you mentioned Anna, we have worked together on many occasions, I met her at the start of her career and we worked really well together! She is a legendary artist!”
01/04 - Yiannis Parios, Interview on Joy TV
“(Ntalaras) trapped (Anna Vissi) in a musical repertoire that was more suited to him rather to her. This is something she later commented upon in retrospect."
Makis Matsas, “Behind the scenes of 40 years of Greek Music” by Dioptra Editions.
Makis Matsas, “Behind the scenes of 40 years of Greek Music” by Dioptra Editions.
Comments
We might not have had a new album this year but…we had had enough of the gossiping. It was as if someone had jinxed Anna and as result, the whole nation was talking about her the whole year.
The year started off with gossip surrounding Despina Vandi’s “secret” visit to the Panthion music hall to watch the “Ena i kanena” show. As soon as she posted a photo of herself in the audience, twitter went into overdrive with people presuming that a “historic visit” was made until the following day that is, when we learnt that the two singers never bumped into each other as Despina only popped by Antoni Remo’s dressing room.
The year started off with gossip surrounding Despina Vandi’s “secret” visit to the Panthion music hall to watch the “Ena i kanena” show. As soon as she posted a photo of herself in the audience, twitter went into overdrive with people presuming that a “historic visit” was made until the following day that is, when we learnt that the two singers never bumped into each other as Despina only popped by Antoni Remo’s dressing room.
Throughout July, the TV continued to bang on about how much money had been spent during Anna’s annual concert at Jackie O’ beach in Mykonos. In true “journalistic” style, well-paid TV personalities somehow forgot to mention how the money spent did not come from Greek paying guests but from foreign Princes and fashion designers who also paid to Greek workers’ wages. Of course, we are used to this type of petty journalism and quickly got over it.
The “exclusives” struck again. This time, the papers got hold of Anna’s application to the local council for damages caused by a flood in front of her house due to bad maintenance of the drains. The “valid” report did not concentrate on the damages of the singer’s belongings and, more specifically, on her gym equipment she owned.
Constant remarks on her financial situation came to a head on the 29th September during the presentation of her new show that was to be put on at the Pantheon theatre. She chose this platform to talk about comments made by the singer Michalis Violaris regarding how much money she earns.
Anna was pretty clear with her comments so, there is no need for us to add anything:
“Whatever the beloved Michalis Violaris said, whom I met when I was 12 and not seen since, I like him, I respect him and acknowledge that all that he has done in his work has, so far, been good. Many people came out of the woodwork and said a lot about me. They have the right to. Now, what their aims are for doing so are never clear. I am not sure if I should say that I am still “current” so they get airtime of the back of me or that they are just “not relevant” anymore themselves. This is not in direct reference to Michalis of course, oh God no! I have learnt to not care because, if I start taking too much notice of all the things that are written about me, I will waste precious time which I prefer to dedicate to things that are worth it my time”.
Anna was pretty clear with her comments so, there is no need for us to add anything:
“Whatever the beloved Michalis Violaris said, whom I met when I was 12 and not seen since, I like him, I respect him and acknowledge that all that he has done in his work has, so far, been good. Many people came out of the woodwork and said a lot about me. They have the right to. Now, what their aims are for doing so are never clear. I am not sure if I should say that I am still “current” so they get airtime of the back of me or that they are just “not relevant” anymore themselves. This is not in direct reference to Michalis of course, oh God no! I have learnt to not care because, if I start taking too much notice of all the things that are written about me, I will waste precious time which I prefer to dedicate to things that are worth it my time”.