Mouskouri plays farewell concert

The singer has recorded 1,500 songs in seven languages

Greek singer Nana Mouskouri has given her final stage performance following a music career spanning half a century.

Fans filled the ancient Herodes Atticus theatre, in Athens, to hear the 73-year-old perform from her wide repertoire for the last time.

Mouskouri has been on a worldwide farewell tour since she announced her plans to retire three years ago.

She is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time and has sold more than 300 million records.

The singer said she had decided to stop performing because she feared singing in a way "which will disappoint a lot of people".

I wouldn't really go without saying thank you because, thanks to the audience, I have been around for so many years because they listen to me Nana Mouskouri

"This tour was the opportunity to say thank you to the people," she said.

"I wouldn't really go without saying thank you because, thanks to the audience, I have been around for so many years because they listen to me."

Among the crowd was Greece's prime minister and the mayors of Berlin, Paris and Luxembourg.

Mouskouri, who was born on the island of Crete, has recorded 1,500 songs in seven languages during her career including her 1986 hit Only Love which went to number two in the UK.

She toured with Harry Belafonte, recorded with Quincy Jones and Julio Iglesias, and had a song written for her by Bob Dylan.