The Eye of My Heart & A Night without Moon, Third Boston Byzantine Music Festival
Holy Cross St. Romanos the Melodist Byzantine Choir and Rebetoparea performing “The Eye of My Heart” and “A Night without Moon” at the third Boston Byzantine Music Festival, hosted by the Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art Culture at Hellenic College Holy Cross, November 13–14, 2015. In the opening sequence, Holy Cross St. Romanos the Melodist Byzantine Choir chants “The Eye of My Heart” by Petros Bereketis (17th–18th century), an example of kalophonic heirmos, a type of paraliturgical music usually sung by a soloist after the end official church services or on festive occasions. Rebetoparea with Gregory Maninakis sing “A Night without Moon” by Apostles Kaldaras (1922–1990) in the second sequence. “A Night without Moon” is a historic Rebetiko song inspired by the composer’s visit to Thessaloniki’s Yedi Kule district, with its infamous prisons. Both selections are in the plagal second mode. Rebetoparea is accompanied by Holy Cross St. Romanos Byzantine Choir.