Yovánna

Yovánna (Greek: Ιωάννα Φάσσου Καλπαξή, Ioánna Fássou Kalpaxí) is a Greek singer and writer.

Biography

Ioanna Fassou Kalpaxi was born on November 14, 1940, in Amaliada. She is the daughter of Kóstas Fássos, a Greek painter. As a child, she sang in a choir and received piano and dance lessons. At the age of 14, she began taking singing lessons, which she continued at the Conservatory of Athens.

Career

After graduating from the conservatory with an award as an opera singer (lyric soprano), Yovánna debuted in the leading role as Margit in Franz Lehár's operetta "Wo die Lerche singt". She then gave some concerts in her Greek homeland. However, she soon turned to popular music and adopted the stage name Yovánna.

Yovánna enjoyed great success in Greece, singing at all major festivals in Athens and Thessaloniki. She also sang songs by Míkis Theodorákis. Her international breakthrough came after her victory at the Sopot Festival in 1962 in Poland. This led to a successful tour of over 150 concerts in the former Soviet Union, accompanied by the Moscow Symphony Orchestra.

Eurovision Song Contest

In 1965, Yovánna represented Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "No – forever without you". Although the song did not win, it was still a notable achievement for the artist.

Later Career and Personal Life

Yovánna continued to give concerts and appear on radio and television in various countries, including France, Italy, Israel, Brazil, Germany, Turkey, and Switzerland. She also signed contracts with Ariola and Polydor in Germany.

In the 1970s, Yovánna ceased her musical career and returned to Greece, where she married lawyer Dimítris Kalpaxís. She devoted herself to literature and published several works.

References

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