intro
Greek tenor Christos Kechris balances the lyric repertoire and the Spieltenor repertoire, as well as the very demanding compositions of contemporary music. His musical skills make him a reliable musician and his theatrical education shape him into a pluralistic performer. Christos doesn’t hesitate to explore new theatrical trends of expression and acting techniques as well as to delve into stage innovation and experimental creativity.
education
Born in Athens in 1982, Christos first undertook classical training in music at the age of 9. He started with classical guitar lessons at the National Conservatory of Athens, which he then mastered with Iakovos Kolanian and furthered at seminars with inspiring guitarists, such as the iconic Roland Dyens.
Attracted by the performing arts, he studied Drama and Theater at the National University of Athens whilst he simultaneously trained in classical singing with the renowned Greek baritone Kostas Paskalis. After graduating from the conservatory (Panos Dimas’ class) he attended masterclasses and courses held by acclaimed artists such as José Cura, Francisco Araiza, Ton Koopman, Dunja Vejzović , Jannette Pilou and Jane Henschel. From 2011 until 2013 he was a resident artist at the Greek National Opera Studio in Athens under the guidance of N. Vassiliou, A. Christofellis, A. Simo, C. Giannakopoulou and D. Kalafati.
He speaks English, French and German as well as his native Greek.
opera
Since 2007 he has frequent engagements at the Greek National Opera. The season 2015-2016 he was a resident artist at the Passau Opera, Germany and the season 2016-2017 was a guest soloist at Opéra de Lausanne and Opéra de Fribourg in Switzerland. He performs mostly the lyric tenor repertoire as well as Spieltenor (character) roles from the entire opera spectrum. He has performed Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni, W.A. Mozart), Ferrando (Così fan tutte, W. A. Mozart), Tamino and Monostatos (Die Zauberflöte, W.A. Mozart), Siegmund (Die Walküre, R. Wagner), Danillo (Die Lustige Witwe, F. Lehár), Alfred (Die Fledermaus), Pedrillo (Die Entführung aus dem Serail, W. A. Mozart), Medoro (Orlando Paladino, J. Haydn), Polidoro (La finta semplice, W.A. Mozart), Conte Eugenio (L’ amante di tutte, B. Galuppi),, Beppe (Pagliacci, R. Leoncavallo), Hirte & Seemann (Tristan und Isolde, R. Wagner), Janek (The Makropoulos Affair), Barigoule (Cendrillon, P. Viardot), Tanzmeister (Ariadne of Naxos, R. Strauss), Incredibile (Andrea Chénier, U. Giordano), Tracolin (Le Toréador, A. Adam), Andrès – Cochenille – Frantz – Pitichinaccio (Les Contes d’Hoffmann, J. Offenbach), Jaquino (Fidelio, L. v. Beethoven), Goro (Madama Butterfly, G. Puccini), Remendado (Carmen, G. Bizet) and more.
contemporary
He made his opera debut singing the leading role in G. Vassilandonakis’ contemporary opera “Dance with me” which world premiered in 2007 at the Greek National Opera. In the following years he established himself as a reliable and daring performer of contemporary pieces, avant – garde repertoire, great 20th century compositions, newly written works and experimental musical theater collaborating closely with acclaimed composers who entrusted him to be the first to sing their pieces. Notable performances: Electrician (Powder Her Face, Thomas Adès), Hans Scholl (Weisse Rose, Udo Zimmermann), Charlie (Mahagonny, Kurt Weill), Der Jasager (Der Jasager, Kurt Weill), Robert (Hin und zurück, P. Hindemith), Lord Byron (The Air of Greece, G. Tsontakis), Orestes (Oresteia, Iannis Xenakis), Orestes (Pylades, G. Kouroupos), Cricket (“Z”, M. Borboudakis), Bacchae’s Voice (I. Angelakis), Canticle II (B. Britten), Sarah Was Ninety Years Old (A. Pärt), DUST (I. Angelakis), D-R-T (A Nasopoulou), Judge (Visions and Wonders, D. Maragopoulos).
greek opera & operetta
He has sung various leading roles of the greek opera and operetta repertoire such as Picnic, The Apaches of Athens, The Godson, The princess of Sazan, Cretan Girl, Lionella, Marathon – Salamis, First Love, The Modern Housemaid, Fakanapas. In 2021 in collaboration with the Athens Philarmonia Orchestra, under the baton of V. Fidetzis, he recorded works by N. Mantzaros, for Naxos Records, and in the same year he accepted the offer by the Hellenic Music Centre in coproduction with the Greek Film Archive, the Cinémathèque Française and the Greek National Opera, to record and revive the voice of the role of Prince for the restored copy of the film “The Apaches of Athens” (1930) directed by D. Gaziadis, which is considered two be he first greek film with sound in history.
repertoire
Christos’ repertoire also includes song cycles of the romantic german period, french chansons and famous oratorios of the classical and baroque era. He has also appeared in roles of two great american musical theatre works by S Sondheim: in Sweeney Todd and in Company receiving high praise from theatre critics.
orchestras
As soloist, he has worked with various notable orchestras such as Opéra de Lausanne (CH) Opéra de Fribourg (CH), Opéra national de Lorraine (FR), Teatru Manoel (MT), Teatro Comunale Giuseppe Verdi di Gorizia (IT), Landestheater Niederbayern (DE), Theater Celle (DE), Amberger Sinfonieorchester (DE), Purpur Orchestra (AT), Banchetto Musicale (LT), Borusan İstanbul Philharmonic Orchestra (TR), Cyprus Symphony Orchestra (CY), Slovenia Seviqc Brežice Festival (SI). Moreover, he collaborates with the biggest greek orchestras and houses such as Athens State Orchestra, Greek National Opera, Greek Radio Symphony Orchestra, Athens Philarmonia Orchestra, Ergon Ensemble, Latinitas Nostra, Camerata Armonia Atenea, Athens City Symphony Orchestra, Greek National Theater, Greek Composers Union, Athens and Epidaurus Festival, Onassis Cultural Centre, Megaron Music Hall of Athens, Thessaloniki Concert Hall.