Do you think you know everything there is to know about Anna Vissi?
Following the release of her digital single “Kala Xristougenna”, Anna announced a competition for the best fan-made video clip for the song and chose her winner!
This is Anna’s most watched youtube video and it is the only song, to this date, which was used for a commercial abroad. And yet, the story of “poli poli” has a continuation!
Two years after the first TV advert was shown on Japanese television, the song “to poli poli” was used for the same ad campaign of the same product, sake, which is manufactured by Tateyama Brewing Company. The artist Naoki Mitsuse was once again the creator of the TV ad and this time used Anna Vissi and her beloved dog Vanilla!
Read an exclusive extract from an interview with Naoki on Fannatics.gr:
“The reason we decided to do a second version of “To Poli Poli” by Anna was simply because of the big success that the first advert saw. I believe that Anna’s music sounds fresh and exotic but also somehow familiar to the Japanese ear”.
“I knew that Anna had a dog called Vanilla. My inspiration for the dog in the cartoon came from a stray dog that I had seen in Napoli which reminded me of Vanilla.”
Two years after the first TV advert was shown on Japanese television, the song “to poli poli” was used for the same ad campaign of the same product, sake, which is manufactured by Tateyama Brewing Company. The artist Naoki Mitsuse was once again the creator of the TV ad and this time used Anna Vissi and her beloved dog Vanilla!
Read an exclusive extract from an interview with Naoki on Fannatics.gr:
“The reason we decided to do a second version of “To Poli Poli” by Anna was simply because of the big success that the first advert saw. I believe that Anna’s music sounds fresh and exotic but also somehow familiar to the Japanese ear”.
“I knew that Anna had a dog called Vanilla. My inspiration for the dog in the cartoon came from a stray dog that I had seen in Napoli which reminded me of Vanilla.”
8/7- Mes stin kali chara (Alpha – Natalia Germanou)
25/12 – Proino mou (MEGA Channel – Fei Skorda, Giorgos Liagkas)
19/03 – “Presa Diretta” on Italy’s RAI 3 showed some clips from Anna Vissi’s shows at the Rex music hall!
The show talked about Greece’s economic crisis and shows clips from Anna’s show which continue to sell out despite the country’s economic situation.
Clips from the show “Presa Diretta” with Anna Vissi were seen exclusive on fannatics.gr
25/12 – Proino mou (MEGA Channel – Fei Skorda, Giorgos Liagkas)
19/03 – “Presa Diretta” on Italy’s RAI 3 showed some clips from Anna Vissi’s shows at the Rex music hall!
The show talked about Greece’s economic crisis and shows clips from Anna’s show which continue to sell out despite the country’s economic situation.
Clips from the show “Presa Diretta” with Anna Vissi were seen exclusive on fannatics.gr
On the 20th June, the Sophia Foundation for Children auctioned 128 bags made from Kiondo baskets and designed by famous people in order to raise funds for the activity taking place and helping orphaned children in Kenya. Naturally, Anna was among the 128 people to design and offer a bag for the auction!
The Kiondo baskets are made in Nyeri and it is because of this that their roads are full of women who are holding them and balancing them on their heads to carry their shopping, the clothes they want to wash in the closest stream or even their own children.
The women from the area cut the big leafs from the sisal plant, an original Kenyan plant, which looks like a cactus and separate their fibres. They then place it in the sun and when they dry out the weave around it with bright colours to create the distinctive designs of each bag.
The Kiondo baskets are made in Nyeri and it is because of this that their roads are full of women who are holding them and balancing them on their heads to carry their shopping, the clothes they want to wash in the closest stream or even their own children.
The women from the area cut the big leafs from the sisal plant, an original Kenyan plant, which looks like a cactus and separate their fibres. They then place it in the sun and when they dry out the weave around it with bright colours to create the distinctive designs of each bag.
On the 8th June, Anna attended the charity bazaar held at the Regency Thessaloniki to buy various products and to be photographed with all the children that were there for the event. The money raised went to the city’s various foundations.
“I got a human divorce with Karvela but never an artistic one. We have only never worked together for a total of 2 years and, strictly speaking, I have only ever released one album with Niko which was “Apagorevmeno”. I believe that the break and distancing did us good. When two people are together constantly, at some point they need their own space. They need some space to breath. Niko and I are just friends, we are siblings”
9th December, Proto Thema
9th December, Proto Thema
Comments
Once again this year, we saw the recurring topic of Anna Vissi’s tax scandal gracing the front pages of magazines. This time, an article in the “Ta Nea” (10th September) newspaper set tongues wagging, on TV, on the radio and in everyday gossip. The article showed information deriving from the taxation services which showed supposedly declared incomes by famous singers as normal people, incomes that were much lower than one would expect.
On the same day, Anna, through a press conference, cleared up the situation regarding the tax scandal as an individual through her different companies which separately deal with her record deal and her live appearances.
A good question would be to see if, one year after this article, there was a check on all the mentioned famous singers on the list or if their famous names were used by the Media outlets to generate a bit of frenzy and sell a few papers?
On the same day, Anna, through a press conference, cleared up the situation regarding the tax scandal as an individual through her different companies which separately deal with her record deal and her live appearances.
A good question would be to see if, one year after this article, there was a check on all the mentioned famous singers on the list or if their famous names were used by the Media outlets to generate a bit of frenzy and sell a few papers?
Questioned during an interview for a popular magazine about Giorgo Ntalaras and the attack he received from members of the audience during his concerts that year, Anna Vissi gave a reply that provoked varied criticism:
“There is always a cause, a reason for this but I do not know if I would chose this way. I cannot, however, condemn someone’s rage and what made him reach this point. I would like to understand why he has reached this point to throw a tub of yoghurt. As for Giorgo Ntalara,, I cannot answer your questions you know? I do not hold any good feelings towards him, on a personal rather than an artistic level. I respect him as an artist but I have a personal dislike for him and I am not scared to say it. There, I am telling you for the first time here. Sorry”.
Psychologies, 26th April
“There is always a cause, a reason for this but I do not know if I would chose this way. I cannot, however, condemn someone’s rage and what made him reach this point. I would like to understand why he has reached this point to throw a tub of yoghurt. As for Giorgo Ntalara,, I cannot answer your questions you know? I do not hold any good feelings towards him, on a personal rather than an artistic level. I respect him as an artist but I have a personal dislike for him and I am not scared to say it. There, I am telling you for the first time here. Sorry”.
Psychologies, 26th April
2013
Almost 22 years had passed since the first staging of Demons and 11 years since Anna Vissi's last musical. And yet, the time had arrived again.
Demons was staged once again from the 22nd March at Pallas theatre with a new composition. Or should we actually say….a whole new composition. The original composer and script writer Nikos Karvelas, Anna Vissi as lead actress and a new actor, by the name of Panagiotis Petrakis, who was a child spectator the first time around in 1992, were entrusted to make the connection between the old and the new show.
The complete production by Elliniki Theamaton (libretto by Stavros Sidera, directed by Giannis Kakleas, stage design by Manolis Pantelidakis, lighting by Eleftheria Nteko and costumes by Ntenis Vaxlioti) enchanted audiences night after night until June 2013. Due to its success, it went back on stage that autumn before the curtains came down for the last time on the 23rd October 2013.
Tens of thousands of people from Greece, Cyprus and abroad along with more than 1,700 fannatics enjoyed (time and time again...) the characters of Rozana and Daniel but also the show's villains: Loa (was given a new lease of life by Evelina Papoulia) and Ieroksetasti (with the very talented newcomer Nikolao Karagiaouri).
Amongst audience members we saw the famous Game of Thrones director, Frank Doelger.
What we will remember from the show was its revamped orchestration, the dark mood given by Yiannis Kakleas, the leads' performances, the two fantastic new songs by Nikos Karvelas and the optical illusion of a suspended Anna that made our heart skip a beat every time!
For those that missed out, the full show was released on CD/DVD combo firstl in Greece, in November 2013, and then in Cyprus, before being uploading directly onto youtube!
So, what did Anna have to say about Demons:
“The 2013 production of Demons is more mature. I feel that, as an actress, I can play the role better this time around. Regarding my voice, yes I admit that 22 years ago it was much clearer but now it is my soul that is clearer. I am able to give more substance to my role as I have grown as a person.”
16/03/2013 - To Vima newspaper
Demons was staged once again from the 22nd March at Pallas theatre with a new composition. Or should we actually say….a whole new composition. The original composer and script writer Nikos Karvelas, Anna Vissi as lead actress and a new actor, by the name of Panagiotis Petrakis, who was a child spectator the first time around in 1992, were entrusted to make the connection between the old and the new show.
The complete production by Elliniki Theamaton (libretto by Stavros Sidera, directed by Giannis Kakleas, stage design by Manolis Pantelidakis, lighting by Eleftheria Nteko and costumes by Ntenis Vaxlioti) enchanted audiences night after night until June 2013. Due to its success, it went back on stage that autumn before the curtains came down for the last time on the 23rd October 2013.
Tens of thousands of people from Greece, Cyprus and abroad along with more than 1,700 fannatics enjoyed (time and time again...) the characters of Rozana and Daniel but also the show's villains: Loa (was given a new lease of life by Evelina Papoulia) and Ieroksetasti (with the very talented newcomer Nikolao Karagiaouri).
Amongst audience members we saw the famous Game of Thrones director, Frank Doelger.
What we will remember from the show was its revamped orchestration, the dark mood given by Yiannis Kakleas, the leads' performances, the two fantastic new songs by Nikos Karvelas and the optical illusion of a suspended Anna that made our heart skip a beat every time!
For those that missed out, the full show was released on CD/DVD combo firstl in Greece, in November 2013, and then in Cyprus, before being uploading directly onto youtube!
So, what did Anna have to say about Demons:
“The 2013 production of Demons is more mature. I feel that, as an actress, I can play the role better this time around. Regarding my voice, yes I admit that 22 years ago it was much clearer but now it is my soul that is clearer. I am able to give more substance to my role as I have grown as a person.”
16/03/2013 - To Vima newspaper
As rumours were gathering pace surrounding the new revamped Demons musical, so was the increasing speculation regarding Sofia Karvela's pregnancy. As you would expect, all eyes were on Anna who would be a grandmother for the very first time! Following a long period of avoiding making any comments on the topic, Anna chose to confirm Sofia's pregnancy and to show her excitement that her daughter would make her a grandmother.
Sofia gave birth on the 12th September 2013 to a baby boy called Nikos or rather....Ninikos as he is nicknamed!
“Yes, it is true! Sofia is expecting a child. I am really chuffed that everyone is pleased to hear of the news and I know that it will be something that will be widely talked about. But, let's not make it into a soap opera. Boundaries must be kept so as to not compromise each part of this journey, especially the personal one. I am beyond excited, I have no issues with being a grandmother, even if I joke with Sofia when I tell her “I am expecting my son” and she snaps back “he is your grandson, not your son”! We are expecting another Nikos in the family and I am so happy.”
28/ 04 - TV Ethnos
As you can imagine Sofia's pregnancy overshadowed changes in Anna personal appearance. Yes, after many years, Anna decided to go back to brunette in preparation for her role as Rozana in Demons the musical!
Sofia gave birth on the 12th September 2013 to a baby boy called Nikos or rather....Ninikos as he is nicknamed!
“Yes, it is true! Sofia is expecting a child. I am really chuffed that everyone is pleased to hear of the news and I know that it will be something that will be widely talked about. But, let's not make it into a soap opera. Boundaries must be kept so as to not compromise each part of this journey, especially the personal one. I am beyond excited, I have no issues with being a grandmother, even if I joke with Sofia when I tell her “I am expecting my son” and she snaps back “he is your grandson, not your son”! We are expecting another Nikos in the family and I am so happy.”
28/ 04 - TV Ethnos
As you can imagine Sofia's pregnancy overshadowed changes in Anna personal appearance. Yes, after many years, Anna decided to go back to brunette in preparation for her role as Rozana in Demons the musical!
2013 was a year of change in Anna's life, not only personal but also career wise. After 31 years of work and success with Sony BMG (former CBS and y Music) Anna was free from the record label and decided to join up and coming Panik Records!
Sony gave Anna a good “send-off” by re-releasing another 750 copies of the successful album “Access all areas” which were snapped up quickly once again.
The new record label welcomed Anna by creating a new “gold” label, Panik Gold, from which Anna released her first single entitled “I kathimerinotita mas” (Our daily life), music and lyrics by Nikos Karvelas.
Detailed releases:
SONY BMG
13/02 Anna Vissi – The Love Collection (Digital Album)
14/02 I pio megali apati ine o erotas, released exclusively through fannatics.gr on Valentine’s day with a special lyrics video!
March: Access All Areas (re-release)
ELLINIKI THEAMATON AND SUNSHINE PRODUCTIONS
15-21/11 Demons (CD/DVD combo)
PANIK GOLD
24/11 I kathimerinotita mas (the new video clip directed by Yiannis Totsikas was released on the 12/12)
21/12 Ena i kanena (One or none) – Duet with AntonisRemos)
Sony gave Anna a good “send-off” by re-releasing another 750 copies of the successful album “Access all areas” which were snapped up quickly once again.
The new record label welcomed Anna by creating a new “gold” label, Panik Gold, from which Anna released her first single entitled “I kathimerinotita mas” (Our daily life), music and lyrics by Nikos Karvelas.
Detailed releases:
SONY BMG
13/02 Anna Vissi – The Love Collection (Digital Album)
14/02 I pio megali apati ine o erotas, released exclusively through fannatics.gr on Valentine’s day with a special lyrics video!
March: Access All Areas (re-release)
ELLINIKI THEAMATON AND SUNSHINE PRODUCTIONS
15-21/11 Demons (CD/DVD combo)
PANIK GOLD
24/11 I kathimerinotita mas (the new video clip directed by Yiannis Totsikas was released on the 12/12)
21/12 Ena i kanena (One or none) – Duet with AntonisRemos)
Anna appeared alongside Antonis Remos at the “Pantheon” music hall in a musical show entitled “Ena i kanena” directed by Yiannis Kakleas.
String of concerts “Anna with a passion” (Cyprus) with guest appearances by Evelina Papoullia and Panayiotis Petrakis:
27/07 – Limassol Garden Theatre
29/07 – Pattichion Municipal Amphitheatre, Larnaca
30/07 – School of the blind Nicosia
27/07 – Limassol Garden Theatre
29/07 – Pattichion Municipal Amphitheatre, Larnaca
30/07 – School of the blind Nicosia
15/2 Blinkers, Nicosia (Cyprus)
8/08 Hotel Vega, Roumania
27/10 Koko club, London
9/11 Bozar, Brussels (an unplugged concert to raise funds for three foundations to help deprived children in Cyprus, sponsored by the Permanent Representation of Cyprus in the EU and by Androula Vasiliou, Commissioner for Education and Culture).
8/08 Hotel Vega, Roumania
27/10 Koko club, London
9/11 Bozar, Brussels (an unplugged concert to raise funds for three foundations to help deprived children in Cyprus, sponsored by the Permanent Representation of Cyprus in the EU and by Androula Vasiliou, Commissioner for Education and Culture).
