Event details
"Bridges of Sound: From Smyrna to Silk Road" is a concert concept by the Estudiantina of Melbourne led by Con Kalamaras that explores the musical journey from the multicultural port city of Smyrna to modern-day Melbourne, blending Eastern Mediterranean traditions with Western influences.
Through a narrative arc of migration and cultural fusion, the show features rebetiko, Balkan, Turkish, Armenian, and Jewish music, reimagined with elements of jazz, classical, and contemporary folk. Interwoven with storytelling, archival visuals, and guest artists, the performance celebrates identity, resilience, and the power of music to connect East and West across time and geography.
Estudiantina of Melbourne – literally “Students of Melbourne”– is a vibrant ensemble specialising in Smyrneika and Rebetiko, the rich folk genres rooted in Greek, Turkish, Jewish and Armenian traditions.
Formed in early 2024,they draw on Melbourne’s multicultural pulse to breathe new life into music born of migration, resilience and working class struggle – reviving the haunting elegance of Smyrneika while honouring the raw emotional power of Rebetiko.
Their debut EP and album Journey to Rebetika were launched to soldout audiences at the Brunswick Ballroom, showcasing their compelling fusion of oud, bouzouki, violin, kanun, baglama and accordion.
Driven by a shared passion to preserve and reimagine traditional Greek musical heritage, Estudiantina of Melbourne create truly immersive cultural experiences – mesmeric performances that resonate with authenticity, storytelling and multicultural pride.