Haskil Stella

Born in Thessaloniki, she made a series of classic post-war recordings with veterans such as Μάρκος Βαμβακάρης, Απόστολος Χατζιχρήστος, and Στελλάκης Περπινιάδης. However, she is best known for her work with younger composers such as Βασίλης Τσιτσάνης and Απόστολος Καλδάρας. Perhaps her most enduring song is the 1947 recording of the latter’s “Νυχτώσει χωρίς φεγγάρι” (“Night fell moonless”). Written during the Greek Civil War, the original title of this song was “Νυχτώσει στο Γεντί (“Night fell on Genti”; Gendi was the prison in Thessaloniki in which political prisoners were held). Although certain verses were changed to suit the demands of the censors, always on the lookout for any suspect political references, the song was such a success that, after a few days, it was withdrawn from circulation and its performance was banned.