Mathios Ventouris

Master lute player and singer, he was born in 1916 on the island of Kimolos. He learned to play the lute from an elderly local musician and, from a young age, performed at weddings and village festivals. Alongside his musical activity, he worked as a sailor and a carpenter.

Later, he settled in Athens, where he played and sang for many years with Dora Stratou‘s ensemble. He collaborated closely with Domna Samiou in radio and television programmes, concerts, and recording sessions.

Source: Domna Samiou Archive

Petros Athanasopoulos-Kalyvas (oud) and Mathios Ventouris (lute). USA, 1983
Petros Athanasopoulos-Kalyvas (oud) and Mathios Ventouris (lute). USA, 1983

© Domna Samiou Archive

Songs

Epic Songs of Warriors and Heroes
  • SongCappadocia & KonyaAnakouAcritic Song

A Widow Bore a Child

(The Song of Porphyris)

  • Χήρα-ν παιδίν εγέννησε ⬥ Acritic song from Anakou, Cappadocia, with Domna Samiou. Live recording (1982).
I See Some Ships Approaching Port
  • SongThessalyMagnesia, KeramidiHistorical Song, National Legends and Laments

Amidst Three Seas

  • Ανάμεσα τρεις θάλασσες ⬥ Historical legend about the building of Hagia Sophia from Keramidi, Magnesia, with Domna Samiou. Recorded in 1980.
I See Some Ships Approaching Port
  • SongPanhellenicCarnival Song, Lampoon

An Old Woman, an Old Gran

  • Μια γριά μπαμπόγρια ⬥ Panhellenic, carnival satirical song with Yiorgos Bagiokis. Recorded in 1980.
I See Some Ships Approaching Port
  • SongDodecaneseKastellorizoLove Song

Gone with My Scarf

  • Έφκε με το μαντίλι μου ⬥ Dance song from Kastellorizo. Recorded in 1980.
I See Some Ships Approaching Port
  • SongSporades IslandsSkiathosLove Song

I See Some Ships Approaching Port

  • Βλέπω καράβια κι έρχονται ⬥ Dance song from Skiathos with Domna Samiou. Recorded in 1980.
I See Some Ships Approaching Port
  • SongEastern AegeanLesvos, SkoutaroChildren's Song, Swing Song

I Want to Climb up to the Top

  • Θέλω ν’ ανέβω στα ψηλά ⬥ Children’s song from Skoutaro, Lesvos, with the Children’s Choir of the High School “Estia Neas Smyrnis”. Recorded in 1980.
A Walk in Sergiani
  • SongAsia Minor (Western Coast)Love SongCouplets

Kanaria

  • Τα κανάρια ⬥ Table song from Asia Minor with Domna Samiou. Recorded in 1986.
I See Some Ships Approaching Port
  • SongThraceEvros, SoufliLove Song, Spring SongCouplets

May

  • Λεν ήρθι Μάης κι Άνοιξη ⬥ Dance song from Soufli, Evros, with the Children’s Choir of the High School “Estia Neas Smyrnis” Recorded in 1980.
I See Some Ships Approaching Port
  • SongAsia Minor (Western Coast)Erythraea, ÇeşmeNew Year's Carol, Ritual SongCarol

New Year Carol (Asia Minor)

  • Κάλαντα Πρωτοχρονιάς ⬥ New Year carol from Asia Minor with the Children’s Choir of the High School “Estia Neas Smyrnis”. Recorded in 1980.
Epic Songs of Warriors and Heroes
  • SongPanhellenicAcritic Song

Now the Birds

(A Soldier and a Tree)

  • Τώρα τα πουλιά ⬥ Acritic, slow table song with Domna Samiou. Recorded in 1982.
SEE MORE

Records

A Walk in Sergiani
  • AlbumLP1986Sirius

A Stroll with Domna Samiou

This is the product of an ‘alternative’ collaboration. After a personal invitation from Manos Hadjidakis, Domna Samiou publishes in Seiros this LP with songs which are for the first time brought together in a record.
Chants des Akrites
  • Album1982Ocora

Chants des Akrites

Akritic songs, which are perceived as the oldest examples of Greek popular poetry, are inspired by the legends of Akrites’ lives and their fights in defense of the eastern borders of the Byzantine Empire. The LP was recorded by the French Radio, published in Ocora series and distributed along with […]
Epic Songs of Warriors and Heroes
  • AlbumCD, Digital release2017Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Epic Songs of Warriors and Heroes

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.
I See Some Ships Approaching Port
  • AlbumLP1980Zodiac

Perperouna

Domna’s first work for children came as a fulfilment of her constant aspiration to bring traditional folk songs closer to children –especially those living in the cities. Some of these sixteen traditional songs, with their ‘easy’ melodies, uplifting rhythms and amusing lyrics, were anyway sung by children –like ‘Perperouna’, ‘Chelidonisma’, […]
Songs of Asia Minor 2
  • AlbumDigital release, LP1984Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Songs of Asia Minor 1

On this LP, Domna Samiou presents songs and dances she recorded among refugees of Asia Minor: heartfelt interpretations dedicated to Baindiri, Domna’s hometown in Asia Minor. This LP marked the founding of the Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association.
Songs of Asia Minor 2
  • AlbumCD, Digital release1992Domna Samiou Greek Folk Music Association

Songs οf Asia Minor

Domna Samiou presents songs and dances she recorded among refugees of Asia Minor: heartfelt interpretations dedicated to Baindiri, Domna’s hometown in Asia Minor.
SEE MORE

Concerts

Concerts at the English Bach Festival
  • Συναυλία
  • 1971-1980

Concerts at the English Bach Festival

Invited by Lina Lalandi, founder of the English Bach Festival and clavichordist, Domna Samiou made five appearances in the festival, presenting, in what could be the first time, the authentic traditional music of Greece to the English audience.
SEE MORE