Elpida

Elpida Karayiannopoulou (; born October 1, 1949) is a Greek singer who was one of the most successful singers in Greece and the Greek diaspora in the 1970s and 1980s.

Known professionally as just Elpida, she released 17 original albums in her 25-year recording history, and regularly topped fever charts run by the Greek state broadcaster, Ellinikí Radiofonía Tileórasi (ERT). Internationally, she was known for being a two-time entrant to the Eurovision Song Contest, representing Greece in 1979 with the song "Sokrati" which placed 8th and Cyprus in 1986 with "Tora zo" which came 20th (and last).

Early life Elpida Karayiannopoulou was born in Spercheiada, Greece; at 14, she moved to Athens with her two older brothers to study. Upon finishing school, she wished to be an architect, but instead began to study topography while working at the same time.

Career Elpida began her singing career in 1970 when she became the singer of an orchestra and subsequently recorded an album with them. In 1972, she participated in Thessaloniki Music Festival with the song "Den Ton Eida" (Δεν τον είδα, I didn't see him) She received various awards such as the "Reward of Interpretation" in Poland, and a reward for television in Bulgaria. She also made a lot of television appearances in Latin America, Spain, Germany, England, the Netherlands, the Scandinavian Countries and made several television appearances in Israel.

In 1979, Elpida was chosen to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest to represent Greece. She sang the song "Sokrati" (Σωκράτη, Socrates) and placed eighth, receiving 69 points from the 19 participating countries. She released an album which reached gold sales in Israel and reached No. 6 in the local charts in Portugal. Seven years later, she appeared at Eurovision once more, in 1986, but representing Cyprus. She sang "Tora zo" (Τώρα ζω, Now I Live), but with less success than in 1979, only garnering four points, and placing 20th (last).

1988 saw the release of the album Flas from which the song "Opos Se Thelo S'oneirevomai" became a radio hit. In 1994, her sixteenth studio album was released titled Mes Ti Nihta Hathika, with music by Thanasis Kargidis and Panos Falaras.

Personal life Elpida married in 1979 and gave birth to her first child, a girl named Hera, in 1980. Her second child, Stephanos, was born in 1985 and led to her absence from the music industry for four years as she spent time with her family.

Discography 1972: Den Ton Eida 1973: Elpida 1975: Koita To Fos 1975: Epi Skinis 1976: Elpida 1978: Borei 1979: Sokrati 1979: Elpida 1979: Ta Oraiotera Tragoudia Mou (compilation) 1981: Me Tin Elpida 1983: Me Logia Apla 1987: Flas 1988: 16 Apo Ta Oraiotera Tragoudia (compilation) 1989: Ela na Paizoume 1990: Tragoudontas Tis Epohes, 10 1990: Selida 16 1992: To Palio Na Legetai 1994: Mes Sti Nihta Hathika 1994: "Zileia"/"Kameno Harti" (maxi single) 1995: To Lathos Kai To Pathos 1997: Me Tragoudia Kai Logia ta Oraiotera Mou, 1972–87 (compilation)