Irony and Joy

The tribute of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra to the unparalleled genius of Beethoven continues with his Symphony no. 8, a lighthearted masterpiece containing passages that could even be perceived as musical jokes. This comical angle – irony and joy! – is what connects Beethoven’s symphony with the other two works of this programme: While Rossini’s La scala di seta - an operatic farsa comica - is genuinely comical, Richard Strauss’ Burlesque flirts with the idea of a witty parody of the “serious” concerto genre.

Cypriot pianist Andri Hadjiandreou joins the CySO to interpret Richard Strauss’s Burlesque for piano and orchestra (1886) for which the music critic Michael Kennedy asserts that it contains “the first authentic glimpses of the urchin humor of Till Eulenspiegel*, the stirrings of Don Juan’s* ardor, the wit, fantasy, sparkle and inventiveness of the creator of a gallery of stage characters.’’ (*tone poems by R. Strauss). Come and enjoy a programme fully tuned into the joy and fun of the carnival season!

G. Rossini: La scala di seta: Overture
R. Strauss: Burlesque for piano and orchestra in D minor
L. v. Beethoven: Symphony no. 8 in F major, op. 93

Soloist: Andri Hadjiandreou (piano)
Conductor: Jens Georg Bachmann

With the contribution of Goethe-Institut Cyprus
Supporters: Rialto Theatre, Limassol Municipality, Pafos Municipality

Ticket prices: €12, €7 (18-26 yrs, pensioners), €5 (under 18)