Symphonic Inspirations (Nicosia)

With Cyprus Symphony Orchestra.

Soloist: Yvonne Widmer (soprano)
Conductor: Gary A. Abrahams

Programme:
J. Haydn: Symphony No. 91 in E flat major
W.A. Mozart: 4 Concert Arias (for soprano & orchestra)
R. Schumann: Symphony No.1 in B flat, Op. 38 ("Spring")

Ticket prices: €12 and pensioners €7
Free entrance for students, soldiers and EURO<26 card holders

Born in Switzerland, Yvonne Widmer completed her studies as a soprano at the Schweizerischer Musikpädagogischer Verband, Bernhard Hunziker in 2006 with honours. Thereafter, she continued and completed her studies with Christina Laki (Hungary). Yvonne Widmer has performed in many renowned venues all over Switzerland, including the KKL-Luzern (Culture and Congress Centre, Lucerne) as well as in famous concert halls abroad. Among her distinguished performances are her regular participation at the International Bach Festival and the recording of Brahms Requiem with Radio Studio Budapest. Apart from her performances with renowned orchestras in Europe, she is often to be heard in "Liederabende", where she particularly enjoys performing songs from the German lied repertoire of Mozart to Strauss.

Gary Abrahams was born in Cape-town in South-Africa in 1966. At the age of 6 he received his first piano tuition. In the following years he successfully completed examinations at the Royal College of Music (London), the Trinity College of Music (London) and the University of South Africa, mostly with distinction. Thereafter, he continued his studies at the College of Music, in Cape Town. Due to the fact that Gary A. Abrahams originates from a family who was considered by the then ruling Appartheit regime to be "non-white", had to undergo extremely hard entry exams in order to be accepted at a "White" university. There, he continued his music studies in Piano, Organ and Singing. At this time he held the post of Organist at the largest Organ in the Southern Hemisphere. He studied conducting with Omri Hadari (Israel), Prof. Kurt Redel (Pro Arte Orchester - München), Prof. Volker Renicke (Opernhaus Zürich), Prof. Michael Dittrich (Wiener Sinfoniker). In 1996 he founded the Abrahams Chamber Choir - Switzerland which has since achieved notable recognition both at home and abroad. His conducting engagements have been extensive, primarily in Europe as well as in many other countries around the world.