The inauguration of the Athens Conservatoire

At the end of the 19th century, musicians from the Ionian islands (Heptanese) come to Athens and, in collaboration with Italian colleagues (who also came from the Ionian Islands) and German (associated with the royal court), founded philharmonic companies and music clubs based on the standards of the Heptanesian ones. In 1871 the Efterpi Philharmonic Society was founded; it operated until 1875, and it transformed into the most influential music agent in Athens. The Music and Drama Club was founded in 1871. The Athens Conservatoire was one of its branches, and it began to operate in January 1873. Most of the Efterpi musicians worked at the Conservatoire. Alexandros Katakouzinos, the musical director of the royal ecclesiastical chorus, who taught vocals and, in reality, ran the foundation, played a decisive role in the early years of the Conservatoire's running.