The Melbourne Recital Centre hung up its Sold Out Sign as 1000 people gathered on Sunday evening for 100 Years of Mimis Plessas – A Living Tribute with Dimitris Basis, marking the centenary of one of Greece’s most loved composers. 

Presented by the Greek Community of Melbourne, the concert brought together acclaimed vocalist Dimitris Basis, conductor George Ellis and vocalist Maria Yiakoulis, accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra that included a Greek musical ensemble led by George Doukas. 

Across the 2-hour performance, the audience enjoyed many of Plessas’ most recognisable songs, performed in arrangements that moved between full symphonic moments and more intimate performances. 

Throughout the evening, the crowd enthusiastically sung along to popular songs like “To Agalma” (The Statue), “Tha Pio Apopse to Feggari (I’ll Drink the Moon Tonight)” and “Anoixe Petra” (Open a Rock) that have remained a prominent part of the Greek cultural playlist for decades. 

The Melbourne performance formed part of international celebrations marking 100 years since the birth of Mimis Plessas, whose work helped shape modern Greek music across film, theatre and popular culture. 

The response from audiences reflected the enduring connection Greek communities around the world continue to hold with his music. The evening concluded with the entire audience on their feet, singing along, cheering and applauding the performers. 

“It was a fitting tribute to a great composer.   The creative team of Dimitri (Basis), George (Ellis), George (Doukas) and Maria (Yiankouli) really brought their A game and made for a very special night” said the Greek Community’s Creative Director Jorge Menidis.

“It is quite clear that with this latest Recital Centre show that Melbourne’s Greek community has an appetite for shows such as this which in turn gives us a great mandate to continue to program shows such as this” he continued. 

The Greek Community of Melbourne thanks the artists, musicians, audiences and everyone involved in delivering an evening celebrating the music and contribution of Mimis Plessas.