In the beginning was Greek opera

The relationship of the romantic duet has continued to grow, cemented by a passion for Hellenic classical music, and Hellenic opera in particular. To them, this musical genre goes beyond opera in Greek.

"There's an Arabic, Byzantine influence that makes it much more exotic to the ear," says the tenor. In fact, music sheets dating back to over 2,500 years are a living testament of its importance in the history of one of the world's greatest civilizations.

For Maria, who grew up in the South Shore and then moved to Saint-Laurent, Hellenic music has provided a road map to her heritage. "I started with modern music. As I grew older, I moved backwards to classical, and then I discovered Ancient Greek music, from even older times."

The journey of Dimitris, who lived in Greece from age 3 to 17, is different. To him, it was about exposing North Americans to the huge wealth of Greek music beyond the popular Bouzouki and Sirtaki.

For these teachers and entrepreneurs who would like to find the means to devote themselves to their first love, performance, the opera Piangero, performed at Concordia's Oscar Peterson Hall with a 45-instrument orchestra opened a Pandora's box of opportunities. Not only did this concert expose them beyond Montreal's 90,000-strong Greek community, but Greece itself took interest.

As a matter of fact, their latest collaboration, Refraction, was produced by the Greek label Music Mirror. On the album, Maria Diamantis and Dimitris Ilias sing 12 beautiful songs for small symphonic ensembles.

The lyrics come from poems of Vasos Vogiatzoglou and conjure images of love inspired by two ladies he romanced while he served in the Greek Military. This wordsmith also depicts nostalgia and Hellenic landscapes.

Although Maria and Dimitris promote each other as a duet, they remain supportive even when they are not performing together. Over the years, the Star Trek enthusiasts who freshly returned from a convention in Toronto have found their happy medium between business and pleasure.

Dimitris sternly affirms that "our love for each other permeates everything, of course." And Maria adds "It gives us more patience" when it comes to finding a compromise, at home and at work.