Newsroom
Kalliopi Spyrou, one of Cyprus’ most loved voices in traditional and artistic music, passed away Tuesday night, leaving a lasting mark on the island’s musical heritage. Born in 1932 in Kythrea, she grew up in a modest family and faced early hardships, including the loss of her father at age eight. She moved to Nicosia and started working hard to help support her family.
Her love for singing began as a child and blossomed when she joined the Nicosia Popular Organizations choir at 14. Her talent stood out immediately, and she trained at the Giorgos Arvanitakis Music Academy. A key partnership with the late composer Achilleas Lymbourides helped her build a career that lasted more than 40 years. Together, they brought to life songs based on Cypriot poetry in the local dialect, including hits like Mavra Mathkia, Marikkou, Drosoula, and Appomeni.
Spyrou also performed internationally, representing Cyprus at music festivals in Athens, London, Moscow, Romania, and Bulgaria. Later collaborations with composers Armando Josephine and Andreas Artemis allowed her to record and share both traditional Cypriot music and newer compositions, preserving her unique voice for future generations.
Composer Andreas Artemis remembered her as “an incredible soprano with a metallic voice, one of the most recognizable voices of Cypriot music. Her voice and memory will stay with us forever.” AKEL MP Irini Charalambidou added that Spyrou was a passionate and dynamic woman who recorded the tradition of Cyprus through her songs and inspired countless others.
Kalliopi Spyrou’s music touched generations, and her voice will be remembered as a true treasure of Cyprus. She is survived by her family and countless fans who will continue to celebrate her songs and her remarkable legacy.
