Vissi-Karvelas Feud Escalates to Legal Battle Over Song Rights

Greek music icons Anna Vissi and Nikos Karvelas are locked in a public and legal dispute following Vissi's September 26 concert at the Athens Olympic Stadium (OAKA). Karvelas, who composed 47 of the 50 songs performed, was absent from the show after a disagreement with the production company over payment and seating arrangements for his guests.

Karvelas claims he was informed on the day of the concert that the lead sponsor and producers did not want him or his guests in their original VIP seats, offering relocated, inferior positions instead. He alleges he was told entry would be forbidden if he insisted, and that Vissi was aware and approved this move, which he called a "disgraceful and deliberately offensive" act.

“I prefer my financial suicide over my moral assassination.”

Vissi's lawyer, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, confirmed a financial dispute existed but denied a personal feud. He stated Karvelas demanded 1.5 million euros, a figure Karvelas calls a "gross lie," insisting he only sought the same fee paid for previous Kalimarmaro shows plus collective rights royalties. Dimitrakopoulos added that Karvelas threatened to cancel the concert and that a settlement agreement including a non-disparagement clause was rejected by the composer.

The conflict has now moved to the courts. On October 8, Karvelas filed provisional injunction measures seeking to prohibit Vissi from performing his compositions, which number over 400 and form the core of her repertoire. Karvelas declared he prefers "financial suicide over moral assassination," signaling a definitive break in their decades-long artistic partnership.