Nicosia, Cyprus. The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra will collaborate for the first time with Greek artist Maria Farantouri for a tribute to Mikis Theodorakis in concerts on May 14 and 15. The performances will also be the orchestra’s first under its new artistic director, conductor Myron Michailidis.
Programme and featured works
Farantouri, known for her interpretations of Theodorakis, will perform a selection of the composer’s best-known songs, alongside seven from the song cycle Odyssey. The programme will culminate in a selection of Theodorakis’ emblematic songs, with orchestrations for Odyssey and the songs by Antonis Sousamoglou and Lazaros Tsavdaridis.
Odyssey song cycle
Odyssey is described as the final song cycle composed by Theodorakis. According to the album’s presentation, he was inspired to write it after first reading the poetry of Kostas Kartelias in 2006, at the age of 81. Theodorakis entrusted the interpretation and recording of the songs to Farantouri. Farantouri has said the cycle was a “new, fresh and romantic work,” adding that lyricism had long been present beneath the surface of his songs.
The Carnival and earlier performances
The evening will also include the symphonic ballet suite The Carnival (1953), a work described as reflecting Theodorakis’ assimilation and transformation of Greek popular music. The piece was first presented in November 1953 in Athens by the Athens State Orchestra conducted by Andreas Paridis. It was later staged as a ballet at the Rome Opera in 1954 by the Greek Dance Theatre of Rallou Manou with the Rome Opera Orchestra, followed by symphonic premieres in Paris in 1958 and London in 1959.
Event details
The concerts will take place at Pallas Theatre, Nicosia, starting at 8.30pm. Tickets are priced at €30-35, with information at www.cyso.interticket.com.
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