The Deep River of Music

The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra will present a programme with Symphony no. 9, op. 95, known as “The New World” Symphony and the American Suite op. 98b (Cyprus premiere) by the Czech composer Antonín Dvořák and Negro Spirituals orchestrated by Vicky Stylianou (Cyprus premiere). The Negro Spirituals will be interpreted by mezzo-soprano Marita Paparizou. The Orchestra will be conducted by its Artistic Director/ Chief Conductor Alkis Baltas.

The programme is devoted to music of the African-Americans and the indigenous Indians of America through a selection of orchestrated Negro Spirituals, songs of spiritual / religious content created by the afro-american slaves, and through two of the greatest orchestral works by Dvořák, inspired by the composer’s experience in America when he first went there in 1892. Dvořák assimilates admirably elements of afro-american music and the music of the Indians of America and invents his own themes in the spirit of that music which he develops in the two orchestral masterpieces of European classical music mentioned above. The concerts title “The Deep River of Music” comes from the spiritual ‘Deep River’ which expresses the afro-american soul’s longing for peace of heart to be reached once the ‘ deep river’ of their life’s pain is crossed. All three works to be performed by the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra are inspired by deep emotions of nostalgia, love for one’s homeland and for life, pain and longing for redemption.

Two evening concerts will be given at 20:30on Wednesday 24 April 2013 at Markideion Theatre, Paphos and Friday 26 April 2013 at Strovolos Municipal Theatre, Nicosia. Before the concert at the Strovolos Municipal Theatre on the 26/4 at 19:45, a short 20-minute film about the music of the afro-americans will be shown at the theatre entrance hall. The film will be in English with English subtitles.

Ticket sales:
Markideion Theatre, Paphos two hours before the concert (tel. 26 932571)
Strovolos Municipal Theatre, Nicosia from Wednesday 24 April (tel. 22 313010)
Information: 22 463144, www.cyso.org.cy

MARITA PAPARIZOU, Mezzo-soprano
Marita Paparizou won the scholarship of the Alexandra Trianti Foundation from the Athens Megaron, in 1999. Ever since she has collaborated with the Greek National Opera, singing many roles including the 3rd Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Maddalena in Rigoletto, Fenena in Nabucco, Amastre in Serse, the title role in Orlando Furioso, Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia, and the title role in Carmen. She has also interpreted roles in many other operas such as Tancredi, Anna Bolena, Der Fliegende Holländer, Semiramis, Rusalka and Dido and Aeneas. She made her operatic debut in Genova in the revival in modern times of Porpora’s Arianna in Nasso, and has also sung the role of Circe in Gluck’s Telemaco in the revival of the work both in London and in Athens. She has been invited throughout Europe in many theatres such as the Opera of Monte Carlo and many Italian theatres such as Pisa, Livorno and Trento. In 2009 her Carmen debut in Larissa Greece gave her the award of “Production of the Year” by the Greek Society of Theatre and Music Critics. She has recorded for the Greek National Radio De Falla’s El Amor Brujo. Her CDs include Händel’s Arianna in Creta, with George Petrou and the Soloists of Patras (MDG), which received great critic acclaim and won many distinctions. Her new profile CD “Vivaldi ma non solo” (MDG) with Claudio Scimone and I Solisti Veneti has gained excellent reviews. In the Baroque repertoire she has also collaborated with Maestro Antonio Florio and the Cappella della Pietà de‘ Turchini in works by Porpora.

ALKIS BALTAS, Conductor
He was born in Thessaloniki. He studied at the State Conservatory of Thessaloniki and continued his music studies in Berlin obtaining a diploma in composition and orchestral conducting. In 1974 he obtained a Law degree from the Aristotle University, Thessaloniki. From 1983 to 1992 he was Artistic Director of the Thessaloniki State Orchestra. During 1994-1997 he held the position of Artistic Director of the Greek National Opera and between 1997 and 1999 of the Artistic Manager of ERT Music Ensembles. From 2004 to 2008 Corfu Municipality appointed him Artistic Director of the Municipal Symphony Orchestra. In 2009 he was appointed Conductor of the Thessaloniki State Conservatory Orchestra. In 2010 he undertook the Artistic Direction of the Old Philharmonic Society of Corfu Symphony Orchestra. Since 2001 he is the Artistic Director of Patmos Sacred Music Festival. In May 2011 the CySO Foundation appointed him Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra. He is the Director of “Ellinikon Odeion” of Athens and the “Music College” in Thessaloniki. He has taught for many years at the Musicology department of Aristotle University. He is a member of the Greek Composers Union. Many of his works (chamber music, choral and orchestral works, opera, etc.) have been repeatedly performed in Greece and abroad. Some of his compositions have received awards in competitions in Greece and abroad (Italy, Spain). Recently a double CD with his works has been released by Iris. He has conducted all the Greek orchestras and has given many concerts abroad (Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Czech Republic, Sweden, Austria, Germany, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Rumania, Cyprus, Soviet Union, Turkey, USA, Argentina, Australia, England, Thailand, Qatar a.o.).