Christina Poulitsi, a soprano who has earned acclaim on the world's most prestigious opera stages, returned to her native island of Chios this summer for a special performance at the Chios Festival. The concert, held in the atmospheric setting of the Castelli mansion in Kampos, was an homage to another Greek icon of opera, Maria Callas.
Accompanied by pianist Dimitris Giakas, Poulitsi performed a selection of arias closely associated with Callas, drawing from the rich bel canto repertoire. The evening also featured a screening of the Greek National Opera's documentary Mary, Marianna, Maria: The unknown Greek years of Callas, which explores the early life of the legendary singer.
A personal tribute
For Poulitsi, who was born on Chios, the concert carried deep personal meaning. It marked her third appearance at the festival, which is organized by the North Aegean Region. In an interview with Euronews, she spoke about the significance of honoring Callas, a figure she regards as a source of inspiration for all Greek artists.
“First of all, as Greeks we are extremely proud that Maria Callas, a giant of classical music and opera, is Greek. I believe she inspires all of us through her performances, not only musically but also through the energy she brings to her arias,” Poulitsi said.
Although she never saw Callas perform live, Poulitsi said the recordings convey her unique artistry. “Whenever I sing arias, and especially Italian bel canto, I always go back to her and draw inspiration from her interpretations. I see her as a pillar, a light that opens up a distinct and different path for each of us,” she added.
From Germany to the world
Poulitsi's international career began in Germany, where she studied and took her first professional steps. She has since performed in major opera houses across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania. She credits conductor Zubin Mehta with launching her career after he wrote a letter of recommendation and later invited her to sing Gilda in Florence.
“I have a great love for Germany, because it is the country where I first made a name for myself and began my career. But of course I also have a profound love for Greece. It is my country. I really enjoy singing here. I have a very special relationship with the Greek audience and I love coming back again and again,” she said.
Singing in unusual places
Poulitsi is known for embracing venues beyond traditional opera houses. The Chios Festival, which spans a week of lectures, documentaries, and performances across fields like medicine, history, and art, provides such an opportunity. The concert took place in a Genoese medieval tower in Kampos, surrounded by orchards and the island's fragrant citrus trees.
“I really enjoy singing in spaces that are not strictly linked to the usual concert and recital halls. I love performing in nature. Of course the conditions are very demanding, no question, but the energy is always different,” she explained. “Here in this magnificent garden, with Chios' fragrant mandarins and lemons, the feeling is unique. It gives you inspiration to carry on into the future.”
Balancing family and career
As a mother of two young children, Poulitsi is currently trying to balance family life with the demands of an international career. She is deliberately spending more time in Greece and avoiding large-scale productions. Her upcoming schedule includes a new Greek opera, Theodora, Empress of Byzantium, by Theodoros Stathis, directed by Panos Angelopoulos, which will be staged at the Municipal Music Theatre Olympia “Maria Callas” in Athens on 30 September and 1 October.
Poulitsi's performance at the Chios Festival underscores her deep connection to her homeland and her commitment to bringing opera to audiences in unexpected settings. As she continues to honor the legacy of Maria Callas, she also forges her own path, one that bridges the grand opera houses of the world with the intimate charm of a Greek island garden.
