Meet Dr. Nikos Xanthoulis
He stands as the leading figure in the modern revival of the ancient Greek seven-stringed lyre. Through decades of scholarly research, musical experimentation, and performance, he has reconstructed both the playing technique and theoretical foundation of the lyre, reintroducing it not as a museum artifact but as a living, expressive instrument. His Complete Method for the Ancient Greek Lyre, combined with international lectures, publications, and recordings, has shaped the academic and artistic discourse on ancient Greek music worldwide.
As the Scientific and Artistic Director of the International Lyre Society (ILS), Dr. Xanthoulis oversees the Society’s mission to restore the lyre to its rightful place within the cultural, educational, and musical life of our time. His vision bridges ancient heritage with modern expression, inspiring a global network of musicians, scholars, and instrument makers.
Dr. Nikos Xanthoulis
Composer | Ancient Greek Lyre Soloist | Musicologist
Dr. Nikos Xanthoulis (b. 1962, Larissa, Greece) is an internationally acclaimed composer, specialist in ancient Greek lyre, and esteemed musicologist. With a multifaceted career spanning performance, research, and education, he has played a central role in reviving the ancient Greek seven‑stringed lyre as a living instrument.
Dr. Xanthoulis served as Principal Trumpet of the Greek National Opera for 25 years (1983–2009) and later directed its Education Department (2009–2012), followed by an appointment as Artistic Consultant (2016–2021). He is an Assistant Researcher at the Academy of Athens (since 2009) and a Corresponding Member of the Archaeological Institute of America (since 2010). Additionally, he held professorships in trumpet and composition at the Athens Conservatory for nearly four decades (1984–2020).
Dr. Xanthoulis’s scholarly contributions include editing the treatise Techne Mousikes, a translation of key ancient Greek music theory texts (2006), and authoring the Complete Method of the Ancient Greek Lyre (2021). His research earned him the prestigious Kress Lectureship from the AIA twice (2012–13, 2017–18), provided for delivering lectures across North America.
As a renowned ancient Greek lyre soloist, he has performed internationally, collaborating with orchestras and cultural institutions across Europe, North America, Asia and Australia. His compositions and recordings—ranging from children’s operas to concert works for lyre and orchestra—demonstrate a seamless blend of scholarly insight and artistic creativity.
Founder and leader of the International Lyre Society, Dr. Xanthoulis continues to drive the lyre’s revival through research, education, performance, and publication. His groundbreaking work transforms ancient musical heritage into a vibrant, modern practice.