Byron Fidetzis

Byron Fidetzis, born in Thessaloniki in 1945, pursued his musical education in cello under Manolis Kazampakas and advanced music theory with Solon Michaelides at the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki. During his early career, he participated in the Aristotle University Orchestra and the Symphonic Orchestra of Northern Greece (1968–1973). A scholarship from the Greek State Scholarships Foundation enabled him to continue his studies at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna (Hochschule für Musik und darstellende Kunst), where he trained in cello with Vladimir Orloff, André Navarra, and Senta Benesch, in orchestral conducting under Hans Swarowsky (1973–1977), and in music theory with Friedrich Neumann, Friedrich Cerha, and others. Additional orchestral conducting seminars were attended with Miltiadis Karydis in Vienna and Otmar Suitner in Weimar.

Fidetzis built a distinguished career as both a soloist and conductor, collaborating with Greek and international ensembles across Europe, the former USSR, Asia, Latin America, South Korea, Turkey, and Egypt. His leadership roles included conducting the Yekaterinburg Philharmonic Orchestra (1990–1992), serving as guest conductor of the Pazardjik Symphony Orchestra, and acting as artistic director of the Symphony Orchestra of the Municipality of Thessaloniki (2000–2005). A long association with the Athens State Orchestra saw him as permanent conductor (1987–2003) and artistic director (2004–2011), during which he became a key advocate for the Greek National School repertoire. Fidetzis was instrumental in editing, restoring, interpreting, and recording significant symphonic works and operas by composers such as Kalomiris, Karrer, Samaras, Konstantinidis, and Petridis.

As an organiser of the Greek Music Festivals (2005–2014), Fidetzis contributed extensively to the promotion of Greek music. His teaching appointments included the Departments of Music Studies at the University of Athens and the Ionian University, as well as the Athens Conservatory. His contributions to the Greek National Opera (GNO) spanned over three decades (1978–2011), including a tenure as permanent conductor (1985–1992). During this time, he conducted 21 operas, including The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte), Macbeth, Don Giovanni, Don Carlo, Marathon-Salamis, The Shadowy Waters (Ta xotika nera), Pagliacci, Rigoletto, and Il Trovatore.

Recognised for his significant contributions, Fidetzis has been honoured by the Bank of Greece and the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair. The Association of Greek Theatre and Music Critics also awarded him for his invaluable work in recording and preserving the repertoire of the Greek National School.

Source: Greek National Opera – Educational Virtual Museum