Zacharias Karounis

Born in 1977 in Pakia, in the Prefecture of Lakonia, Peloponnese. He studied Theology at the University of Athens and is a candidate doctor of Byzantine Musicology. He also studied Byzantine Music and European Music at the Athens Conservatory, where he also took classical singing classes.

As a singer, he has participated in performances with the National Theatre, and has also collaborated with Manos Hadjidakis’ 'Orchistra Chromaton' (Orchestra of Colours), singing songs of Asia Minor.

He has taken part in various artists’ concerts and musical events throughout Greece. He has also been active in the recording and singing of songs from the East (Asia Minor, Cappadocia, Pontus, Turkey).

Source: Zacharias Karounis

Songs

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  • SongPeloponneseKlephtic Song

A Maid Decided

  • Μια κόρη τ’ απεφάσισε ⬥ A maid decided to join the klephts and set fire, vr’ amán och amán, she set fire to her loom. She set fire to her loom, to her ivory comb, armed herself and joined the klephts. Twelve years she led them and no man ever [...]
Τραγούδια του γάμου
  • SongDodecaneseRhodesWedding Song

Bless the Couple Holy Mary

  • Νέβα κατέβα Παναγιά ⬥ Studio recording, 2008. Based on Simon Karas' recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music. Local dance known as "siganos".
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  • SongPeloponneseLove Song

Come Out, My Sun, Come Out

  • Έβγα ήλιε μ' έβγα ⬥ Come out, my sun, come out, come out, my sun, come out just a little. Come out, my sun, come out just a little so we can take a turn around the garden. Skittish, skittish thing so small and playful. So I can find a [...]
Τα παλαιά μου βάσανα
  • SongPropontisLove SongCouplets

Giannoula

  • Γιαννούλα ⬥ Life is sweet, despite all its torments, And only a madman seeks death. Giannoula,1 Giannoula, there’s nothing you don’t know Giannoula, Giannoula, what you did it wasn’t right. Stars in the sky, why deny me your glimmer And mountain springs, you might as well simmer. Those widow's weeds [...]
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  • SongMacedoniaKlephtic Song

Hey Mountains of Grevená

  • Εσείς βουνά του Γρεβενού ⬥ Hey mountains of Grevená, hey mountain pine of Métsovo, can’t you dip a little lower. Dip two rifle shots so we can see Grevená, and much-lauded Spílio, see how Ziakas is battling the Turks. The shells fall like rain and the bombs like hail, and [...]
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  • SongPeloponneseLove Song

If I Had an Bitter Orange

  • Να ‘χα νεράντζι να ‘ριχνα ⬥ If I had an bitter orange, moré, I’d throw it at the window opposite. Sweet Rhodo1, I’d send that vase a-crashing. I’d smash that vase, moré the blooming vase all blossom, all blooms and sugar, sweet maid of Rhodes, all blooms and sugar and [...]
Τα παλαιά μου βάσανα
  • SongConstantinopleLove SongCouplets

In the workshops of Constantinople

  • Μέσ’ της Πόλης τ’ αργαστήρια ⬥ In the workshops of Constantinople, In the gold and silver smiths’, I first laid eyes on your likeness, And my heart was yours forthwith. You stand there in the church Like a column made of marble And at the sight of you The priests [...]
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  • SongThraceAcritic Song

Kostantis the Only Son

  • Μοναχογιός ο Κωσταντής ⬥ Kostantis the only son, young and cosseted, his mother’s only son, her precious darling. She’d scrub him, comb his hair and send him off to school and the teacher would teach him, teach him to read and write. Kostantis grew up into a man, into a [...]
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  • SongConstantinopleFable Song (Ballad)

Little Apple Tree Perched on the Brink

  • Μηλίτσα που ’σαι στο γκρεμό ⬥ Little apple tree perched there on the brink, perched on the brink weighed down with apples, how I want your apples but fear the drop. – If you fear the drop, then come take the path. The path led me to a deserted chapel [...]
Τραγούδια του γάμου
  • SongEastern AegeanSamos, PlatanosWedding Song

My Fortunate Groom

  • Γαμπρέ μου καλορίζικε ⬥ Studio recording, 2008. Based on Simon Karas' recording which belongs to the Association for the Dissemination of Greek National Music.
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Records

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  • AlbumDVD2007Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Domna Samiou Sings Songs of Nature and of Love

This videotaped stage performance, held at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus on 11th of October 2005, includes songs and rituals related to the cycle of the agricultural year, rewarding human labour and telling of man’s relationship to nature.
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  • AlbumCD, Digital release2017Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Epic Songs of Warriors and Heroes

The publication includes 30 songs, inspired by the popular tradition of story-telling, relating tales of brave warriors, both high-ranked lords, and lowly soldiers. Centering on heroic Digenis, they originate from all parts of Greece. The publication also contains a detailed booklet analyzing the history surrounding the songs, and their interpretation. […]
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  • AlbumCD, Digital release2008Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Folk Fables in Song

In fables, fragments of ancient myths are preserved. On this CD, Domna Samiou & her collaborators sing tales of the fabulous and the fantastic combining the real world with the supernatural and narrating stories, often tragic, which might once have occurred – or could do so one day – however […]
Τα παλαιά μου βάσανα
  • AlbumDigital release2022Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

My Old Torments

Songs of Asia Minor by Domna Samiou. Live recording from the concert ‘Songs of Asia Minor with Domna Samiou’ at the Megaron, the Athens Concert Hall, on 8/3/2005. Traditional songs from the western coasts of Asia Minor, Propontis, Constantinople, Pontus and Cappadocia.
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  • AlbumCD, Digital release2006Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Of Nature and of Love

Through these songs, Domna Samiou pays tribute to how man, in years gone by, worshipped nature as the measure of ultimate beauty, order and harmony, and treated it with awe rather than with the destructive fury of today. The down-to-earth love of nature in these folk songs doesn’t derive from […]
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  • AlbumCD, Digital release2007Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Songs of History and Heroes

The retelling of fine, magnificent, heroic deeds from the past has always inspired a future path for every nation, the weft on which its future is woven. Austere and Doric, as stern as the heroes they describe, these songs from history function both as chronicles and musical myths, and as […]
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  • AlbumCD, Digital release2007Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

The Great North Wind and Other Traditional Songs for Children

‘The Great North Wind ….’ is Domna Samiou’s second CD dedicated to her ‘young friends’. One of Domna’s main concerns is that, unless children are initiated in music, these songs will gradually disappear as time goes by. This CD is a good companion to those who want to offer their […]
Τραγούδια του γάμου
  • AlbumUnreleased collectionDomna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Wedding Songs

Unpublished collection of thirty-four traditional songs and tunes for the wedding feast, the bride, the groom, the best men and women and all the guests.
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Concerts

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  • Concert
  • 11/10/2005

Domna Samiou Sings Songs of Nature and of Love

Traditional songs and events that follow the course of the cycle of the year. Starting from the autumn, which marks the beginning of the working and ecclesiastical year, a harvest revival, events of the twelve days of Christmas, Easter festivities, Saint John of Kledon customs, and summer festive events.
Μικρασιάτικα τραγούδια με τη Δόμνα Σαμίου
  • Concert
  • 08 & 09/03/2005

Songs of Asia Minor with Domna Samiou

An Asia Minor tribute concert. A tribute to the muse of the historical space of the Greek East. Traditional songs from the western coast of Asia Minor, the Propontis, Constantinople, Pontus and Cappadocia and two Byzantine hymns from the musical tradition of the Orthodox Church. A musical variety that is […]
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