Spyridon Samaras

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Category: Music

Published on Friday, 15 November 2019 09:01

The Olympic Games were a culture event for Zeus in the ancient Greece. Inspired by these old Games the modern olympic Games started back in 1896 in Athens. With this new start of the games a new hymne was needed and the composer of it Spyridon Samaras is this weeks “Culture” topic.

Spyridon Samaras was born in 1861 on the island Corfu. With his music talent he was one of the first students who had the opportunity to study in the new founded Conservatoire of Athens. The Athens Conservatoire was the first music academy in Athens. In 1882 he moved to Paris, the metropole of art of the 19^th century for his music studies. As a young composer he got a job at the opera in Mailand in 1885. There he earnt one by one reputation for his work and it didn`t take long until his work was also presented in operas all over Europe. In total he composed 15 operas.

After many years abroad he decieded to move back to Athenes in 1896. This was also the year were he composed the Olympic hymne for the opening show of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens. It was in huge honer to compose this hymne although back then nobody knew that the hymne would still in use today. Becasue of this enduring effect this composition is probably his magnum opus.

The decision to use Samaras hymne for every Olymic games was made in 1958 and since then it is a part of every opening ceremony. Therewith he was the first greek musican with an international success and his success will stay forever since he has become a permanent part in the biggest culture event of the whole world.