The charming, amiable Frangoulis responded enthusiastically to audience calls, introduced songs and offered anecdotes about his work. A superstar in Greece, he has performed around the world, singing everything from opera to pop, on stages from La Scala to London's West End.

He opened Saturday's performance with "Music of the Night" from "Phantom of the Opera." The soaring crescendos were bold and clear; on the quieter parts of the ballad, the effects of his cold were evident.

There was nothing froggy in his voice for one of his favorite - and perhaps his best-known - songs, "Vincero, Perdero."

The versatile Frangoulis sang in several languages, including Greek, French and Spanish, during the concert. Songs familiar to audience members in English, such as "Nights in White Satin" and "Time to Say Goodbye" took on a whole new life in Italian.

"Oi Dromoi T'ouranou" was well received by the many Greeks in the audience. Frangoulis seemed delighted at the reception.

A highlight of the evening was the French, "Ne me quitte pas," a song so intimate Frangoulis could have been whispering it to an individual instead of the 1,158 patrons in the audience.

Though that song worked well, other times the cavernous Landmark Theater overwhelmed the music. "Hijo De la Luna," for example, was lost in the hall.

Music by the Richmond Symphony Pops, conducted by the able Sarah Hatsuko Hicks, was, at times, muddied by the Landmark's acoustics. During several orchestral overtures, the musical blend was harsh. But when the sound system cooperated, the capable orchestra meshed well with Frangoulis.

After the intermission, Frangoulis' voice seemed a bit weaker, and he was coughing between songs. He pulled it together for lively numbers, including a medley of "An Thymithis/Bessame Mucho/Canzone Arrabbiata," during which Frangoulis pulled conductor Hicks from her podium and danced around the stage with her.

The encore of "Sometimes I Dream" was a great ending for a cold, cold night.

Source: Times Dispatch