Dialogue with Elly Yotopoulou-Sicilianou

Abstract or Summary:

In an interview between Elly Yotopoulou-Sicilianou, the wife of Yorgos Sicilianos, and musicologist Francis Guy, Yotopoulou-Sicilianou provides an intimate glimpse into the life and character of her husband. She describes Sicilianos’s strict routine and disciplined approach to both his professional and personal life, highlighting his habit of reading challenging materials to relax. She recounts how their deep bond began after his return from Italy and how he balanced his commitments with a strong sense of duty, often working from morning until late evening. Yotopoulou-Sicilianou also emphasizes Sicilianos’s close relationship with their son, Linos-Alexandros, and his efforts to introduce him to music theory and practice from a young age. Yotopoulou-Sicilianou also reflects on Sicilianos’s musical career, noting his evolution from a strict, dark musical style to a more emotional and simpler form in his later works, such as the “Seven Secret Songs.” She discusses his significant roles, including his position as Director of Music Programs at the Greek Radio Foundation, where he faced and overcame bureaucratic challenges to contribute to the Greek musical scene. Despite his dissatisfaction with mediocrity in professional settings, Sicilianos’s dedication to music remained steadfast. His work gained recognition and was performed by notable conductors and orchestras both in Greece and internationally, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary music and those who knew and worked with him.