NEW SINGLE COMING SOON!
Mοto: “Βeauty is what is sought in art” (Betty Harlafti)
B e t t y H a r l a f t i
mezzo soprano - crossover singer - performer
Often referred to as “the voice of Mikis Theodorakis», Betty Harlafti is best known as the elite singer, from the younger generation of artists, of the great Greek composer of “Zorba the Greek”.
She is a classically trained mezzo soprano with a contemporary and crossover repertoire in several languages and appears in concerts in Greece and abroad (United States, China, Cyprus, Great Britain, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Finland, Israel, Turkey, Poland etc.), where both audiences and press embrace her with great enthusiasm.
Her voice, full of primordial elements in combination with the Mediterranean temperament and rare timbre, make her recognizable from the very first note.
She can be at the same time mainstream and pop, as she can, effortlessly, be lyrical, emblematic, folk or experimental, following a unique path by blending different music genres.
Betty’s charismatic performances reveal her unique talent in interpreting popular music as well as demanding music works.
Her most significant album so far is “Betty Harlafti in the world of Mikis Theodorakis” and is produced by the Greek National Radio & Television Corporation (ERT) and its Symphony Orchestras. This places Harlafti among the few singers in her country who have recorded a personal album with a symphony orchestra.
The album is dedicated to World Peace.
Great Turkish composer and writer Zülfü Livaneli, Theodorakis’ emblematic companion, as well as the composer’s original muse Maria Farantouri honored Betty with their contribution in it.
Betty embraces the ideas and ideals inspired both by her upbringing and the universal personality of Mikis Theodorakis and passes them on through her artistry.
Some of her exceptional performances:
On March 2019 she was invited to Brussels to perform Mikis Theodorakis’ emblematic oratorio Canto General for the 70th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights.
A month after Theodorakis’ passing, in October 2021, she was invited in Istanbul by Zülfü Livaneli to give a symphonic concert in his memory. The concert, was dedicated to World Peace.
On September 2nd 2023, she was assigned by the Greek National Television the biennial memorial concert for Mikis Theodorakis. The concert was broadcast all over Greece and worldwide through the ERT platforms.
In 2025, on Theodorakis centenary, she performed in a world tour invited to events dedicated to the one hundred years birth anniversary of the composer.
At the moment, the international, multilingual version of her album with Mikis Theodorakis’ works is about to be released while she keeps touring in Greece and abroad performing vast repertoire of world music.
Betty Harlafti was born in Corinth, Greece.
Her origins are from Asia Minor.
She studied classical song receiving her Diploma with honors.
She also holds the London College of Music Diploma Examination in Classical Singing
She studied Early Music with the famous English counter tenor Michael Chance who gave her a scholarship.
She holds a degree in Geology from the University of Patras and a second Degree from the Kapodirian University of Athens (School of Physical Education and Sport Science).
She currently leaves in Athens. (Hosted by her two cats…)
Bio
The beginning of the story...
Mikis Theodorakis Tribute
Betty Harlafti: A Preeminent Voice Carrying the Torch of Theodorakis's Legacy
Elected by the composer himself, Betty Harlafti has earned significant acclaim and is widely recognized as "the voice of Mikis Theodorakis," a testament to her exceptional talent and dedicated interpretation of the iconic composer's profound musical works. Emerging as a leading figure among the younger generation of Greek artists, Harlafti has distinguished herself through her commitment to preserving and promoting the rich artistic heritage of Theodorakis, a globally celebrated figure best known for his unforgettable score for "Zorba the Greek."
Harlafti's association with Theodorakis begins in 2014, after his invitation to sing along his official orchestra in one of the most famous ancient theaters worldwide, the Herodion Theater of Athens. As this magical collaboration and personal relationship with the iconic composer lasted until his death, it became a defining characteristic of her artistic identity. Her performances are noted for their depth, sensitivity, and authentic rendering of the emotional and intellectual complexities inherent in Theodorakis's compositions. This dedication has positioned her as an elite vocalist, entrusted with conveying the power and nuance of a musical legacy that resonates deeply both within Greece and internationally.
By performing such significant repertoire almost since the beggining of her carrer, Betty Harlafti plays a crucial role in introducing new audiences to the enduring power of Mikis Theodorakis's music, ensuring its continued appreciation and relevance for generations to come. Her work stands as a vibrant bridge between a monumental artistic past and a dynamic cultural present.
"Meeting and working with Mikis Theodorakis was something like entering another dimension.
One July afternoon, the phone rang and on the other end of the line was his secretary...
She invited me the next day to his house because the leading Greek composer wanted to meet me and invite me to sing with his orchestra at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, the most famous ancient theater in Greece.
There was a small explosion inside me!
I didn't know it then, but everything would change for me.
For ever..."
Betty Harlafti in the World of Mikis Theodorakis
In the World of Mikis Theodorakis...
