Archilochus’ Fragments: Ancient Greek Poetry Meets Modern Sound, at The Hellenic Centre

Archilochus’ Fragments is a new work by composer Costas Kafouros blending ancient Greek poetry with modern sound. Performed by world-class musicians Katerina Mina, Rami Sarieddine, Mariana Parás and Marios Nicolaou, the piece explores timeless themes and the enduring dialogue between past and present. 

Join us for a musical journey that bridges the ancient and the modern, as composer Costas Kafouros unveils Archilochus’ Fragments — a contemporary reimagining of the poetry of Archilochus of Paros (c. 680 B.C.), one of the boldest and most original voices of antiquity.  

Inspired by Archilochus’s surviving verses, the music transforms these fragments of lyric and emotion into a vivid, immersive soundscape. The music summons the ancient voice of Archilochus, while exploring timeless themes of love and defiance, beauty and vulnerability, order and chaos.  

Performed by an exceptional ensemble, the work unfolds as a dialogue between voice and instruments, past and present. The result is a deeply moving and sonically rich experience: lyrical yet explosive, meditative yet full of fire.  

After more than fifteen years of creative exploration, the music here connects to the ancient world not to rebuild it, but to converse with its spirit — letting Archilochus’s voice live and breathe through sound, guided by emotion and rhythm. 

Vocals: Katerina Mina 

Piano: Rami Sarieddine  

Bassoon: Mariana Parás  

Percussion: Marios Nicolaou 

Presented by the Hellenic Centre and supported by the Archive for the Performance of Ancient Greek and Roman Drama, Oxford University. 

Pricing

• General Admission: £13.00 + £0.82 fee
• Concession: £10.00 + £0.70 fee