Cyprus Mail 25 May 2023 - by Eleni Philippou
INTERNATIONAL PHAROS CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Royal Manor House, Kouklia
26 May - 2 June - 8.30pm
Annual chamber music festival with 6 concerts. By the Pharos Arts Foundation. €20. www.pharosartsfoundation.org. Tel: 22-663871
A classical music festival in a stunning historical location is about to begin, featuring guest artists from the world music scene.
Just a few days are left before the annual International Pharos Chamber Music Festival begins. From Friday, a series of outstanding performances, and a fascinating programme in a captivating ambience will unfold. Twenty of the world’s leading and most celebrated artists will perform six concerts at the Unesco World Heritage site of the Royal Manor House in Kouklia.
With an unwavering commitment to artistic excellence, the Pharos festival was the pioneering force in bringing chamber music to Cyprus, elevating the island to a prominent place on the global cultural stage. Its exceptional concerts have attracted music lovers from far and wide, who flock to the festival to bask in its unique and uplifting musical atmosphere.
For over two decades, the festival has hosted a multitude of memorable concerts, featuring many of the world’s most celebrated soloists. It has remained true to its roots of community service, by promoting access to chamber music for all and extending invaluable educational opportunities to students from across Cyprus. Moreover, it is one of the most anticipated events in the international music calendar, and is held annually in The Royal Manor House of Kouklia, one of the finest surviving monuments of Frankish architecture in Cyprus and a Unesco World Heritage site, which is transformed into an atmospheric chamber music hall.
Friday’s opening concert will invite more than 10 musicians to the stage who will perform Mozart, Brahms, Rossini and Chausson. On Saturday, even more musicians will bring to life the compositions of renowned composers such as Boccherini, Dvořák and Prokofiev. The following evening will include pieces by Brahms, Prokofiev, Gershwin, Sammut, Ravel and Mendelssohn.
May 31 will feature music by Franck, Britten and Shostakovich while June 1 will honour Dubois, Schönberg and Schumann. The final evening, with pianos violins, violas, cellos and clarinets on stage, will feature compositions by Respighi, Prokofiev, Puccini and Brahms to conclude a week of outstanding music.
