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A financial dispute between Greek pop star Anna Vissi and songwriter Nikos Karvelas began a week before her sold-out concert at Athens’ Olympic Stadium, according to Vissi’s lawyer, as the two sides publicly traded accusations over an alleged unpaid fee.

Karvelas, a prominent Greek composer and songwriter who has worked extensively with Vissi, initially said in a statement that he had not received his agreed payment and described himself as “devastated.”

Vissi’s side responded on Wednesday, accusing Karvelas of demanding €1.5 million before the concert and threatening to publicly discredit and “destroy” the singer.

Speaking about the dispute, Vissi’s lawyer, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, said the conflict had emerged shortly before the concert, despite the pair previously having a good relationship and no disputes.

‘The conflict began a week before the concert’

Dimitrakopoulos claimed Karvelas had made a financial demand during the final week before the performance that was not supported by either the law or an agreement between the parties.

“The climate was very bad, to the point that threats were even being made that Nikos Karvelas would attempt to cancel the concert,” the lawyer said.

Dimitrakopoulos said the disagreement concerned a payment that had been agreed for previous concerts but not for the Athens performance.

He said that when Vissi performed at the Panathenaic Stadium, known as the Kallimarmaro, or at the Herodion, the two had reached a verbal agreement under which Karvelas would receive half of Vissi’s fee if she was paid for those performances.

According to the lawyer, Karvelas was seeking the same arrangement for the latest concert, despite it not having been agreed for that performance.

Dispute centers on money

Dimitrakopoulos said the confrontation was fundamentally a financial disagreement.

“The issue began purely as a disagreement over financial matters,” he said. “Financial issues cause wars. If this financial difference had not existed, we would not have reached this point.”

The two sides’ statements have not resolved the disagreement over the payment in question. Vissi’s side maintains that the additional demand was not contractually agreed, while Karvelas has said he was not paid the fee he had agreed to receive.