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Rene Nikolaou was a Greek composer who was born on January 23, 1929, in Athens, Greece. He was the son of a prominent Greek composer, Nikos Nikolaou, who was also a professor of music at the Athens Conservatory. Rene Nikolaou grew up in a musical family and was exposed to music from a very young age. He began his musical studies at the Athens Conservatory, where he studied piano, composition, and conducting. Nikolaou's early compositions were influenced by the works of his father, as well as by the music of other Greek composers such as Manolis Kalomiris and Dimitri Mitropoulos. He also drew inspiration from the works of Western classical composers such as Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. Nikolaou's early works were characterized by their use of traditional Greek folk melodies and rhythms, which he incorporated into his compositions in a unique and innovative way. In 1952, Nikolaou moved to Paris to continue his musical studies at the Conservatoire de Paris. While in Paris, he studied composition with Olivier Messiaen and conducting with Charles Munch. He also attended lectures by other prominent composers such as Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen. Nikolaou's time in Paris was a formative period in his musical development, and he was exposed to a wide range of musical styles and techniques. Nikolaou's compositions from this period were marked by their experimentation with new musical techniques and forms. He began to incorporate elements of serialism and atonality into his works, and he also experimented with electronic music. His compositions from this period include works such as "Symphony No. 1" and "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra." In 1960, Nikolaou returned to Greece and began teaching at the Athens Conservatory. He continued to compose during this period, and his works from this period include "Symphony No. 2" and "Concerto for Violin and Orchestra." Nikolaou's compositions from this period were characterized by their use of Greek folk melodies and rhythms, which he incorporated into his works in a more subtle and sophisticated way than in his earlier works. Nikolaou's most famous work is his opera "Medea," which he composed in 1984. The opera is based on the ancient Greek myth of Medea, who kills her own children in revenge for her husband's infidelity. The opera was a critical and commercial success, and it has been performed in opera houses around the world. "Medea" is considered to be one of the greatest works of modern Greek opera. Nikolaou continued to compose until his death in 1999. His later works include "Symphony No. 3" and "Concerto for Cello and Orchestra." Nikolaou's compositions are characterized by their use of traditional Greek folk melodies and rhythms, which he incorporated into his works in a unique and innovative way. He also experimented with new musical techniques and forms, and his works are marked by their sophistication and complexity. In conclusion, Rene Nikolaou was a Greek composer who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was influenced by the works of his father and other Greek composers, as well as by the music of Western classical composers. He was a pioneer in the use of traditional Greek folk melodies and rhythms in his compositions, and he also experimented with new musical techniques and forms. His most famous work is his opera "Medea," which is considered to be one of the greatest works of modern Greek opera.

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