 He began his career in Germany in theatres such as Aachen and Gelsenkirchen and in the late 70s met Gian Carlo Menotti while conducting “The Consul” at the Athens Opera House.This led to an invitation to the Spoleto Festival in 1976 to conduct some performances of Tchaikovsky’s “Pique Dame”.Ten years later, Gian Carlo Menotti invited him to become the Music Director of both Spoleto Festivals in Italy and the US (Charleston), post which he held from 1987 to 1992.