Byron in Greece, Music in Zitsa

First visit to Greece, 1809

Where Byron stayed during his second visit to Greece

Celebrating Byron's First Visit to Greece in 1809

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/news/civ_1KathiLev&xml/&aspKath/civ.asp&fdate=25/08/2009

Conference to commemorate 200 years since British poet’s first journey to the country

From Vivienne Pittendrigh's Chamber Music Holidays August newsletter:

"The programme for Divertimenti in Corfu Festival this year is the most interesting we have ever had, with the brilliant Herold Quartet from Prague - six concerts with three wonderful venues - see http://www.chambermusicholidays.com/. This is proving very popular and only two places remain, so book soon. Recently I visited the famous Glinavos Winery in Zitsa on the Greek mainland. Lord Byron, the famous English poet, stayed at the Zitsa Monastery 200 years ago and we are having a special concert to celebrate this. We take the ferry from Corfu to Igoumenitsa on the mainland and are met by a bus which takes us to Dodoni, the oldest of the ancient Greek oracles, and the site of one of the most famous ancient Amphitheatres. Then to Ioannina, the charming city on the lake with much of historic interest, and on to Zitsa to visit the monastery, and then to the Glinavos winery. This is one of the most famous of the Greek Wineries winning many international medals. Here we have a tour and tastings before the concert. The wonderful programme, which includes Beethoven op 131, will be followed by a buffet dinner with wines before we return to Corfu that evening. The two days in Albania in the first week of the Corfu Chamber Music Holiday are packed with interest. Butrint, one of the most amazing archaeological sites in the Mediterranean, with the stunning excavations from prehistoric times through the many civilizations, http://www.butrint.org/ will be a highlight.

UPDATE, 6 SEPTEMBER: The Byron Concert planned for Zitsa has had to be cancelled because of the Greek elections.