Lavranga, Denis

(Dionysios Lavrankas) Born Oct. 17, 1864 (1860?), in Argostoli, Cephalonia; died July 30, 1941, in Razata, Cephalonia. Greek composer and conductor.

Lavranga began as a theater conductor in France and Italy. In 1894 he returned to Greece, where he was artistic director of the Philharmonic Society of Athens. Between 1899 and 1935 he headed a Greek company contributing to the formation of the National Hellenic Opera. He published his Memoirs in 1937 in Athens.

Lavranga is the composer of the operas Elda di Vorn (Naples, 1890), The Two Brothers (Athens, 1900), The Sorceress (Athens, 1901), Dido (Athens, 1909; one of his best works), Redeemer (1900 or 1903; performed in Corfu, 1935), and Facanapas (composed 1935; performed 1950). He also wrote three operettas and a ballet.

Lavranga’s pioneering modern Greek instrumental music includes orchestral suites, the Eastern Overture, vocal symphonic works, violin and piano pieces, songs, and choruses.