Towards a Europe of Peace

In response to the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra’s programme, which will be prepared during the established International Summer Academy, juxtaposes in musical symbolism the catastrophic wars of the European past in contrast to the emerging brotherhood of nations and the hopeful future toward which the European Union aspires.

Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra
The Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1987 as Cyprus State Youth Orchestra and since 2007 it is managed by the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Foundation. The Orchestra gives concerts in Cyprus and abroad and participates regularly in official events and anniversaries. The annual International Summer Music Academy constitutes an extremely important part of the Orchestra’s activities. It takes place in Pedoulas village with the participation of young musicians and distinguished professors from Cyprus and abroad. The final concerts of the Summer Academy in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011 were given in the International KYPRIA Festivals. In 2010 the Orchestra participated with great success in the 1st International Youth Orchestras Festival in Istanbul, Cultural Capital of Europe 2010.

World Youth Choir
The World Youth Choir (WYC) is original in its concept, bringing together talented young singers aged 17 - 26 each year from all over the world. Since its creation in 1989, the WYC has established itself as one of the most remarkable musical and intercultural experiences offered to young musicians, meeting annually for intense rehearsals followed by an international concert tour. The diversity of the choir's conductors and repertoire reflects the cultural diversity of its singers. The World Youth Choir is a project of the World Youth Choir Foundation, patronized by the International Federation for Choral Music, the European Choral Association - Europa Cantat and the Jeunesses Musicales International. In 1996, UNESCO honoured the WYC with the title Artist for Peace, recognizing the WYC's success as a platform for intercultural dialogue through music. The WYC participated at the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony on December 10th 2011 and the Nobel Peace Prize Concert held in Oslo on December 11th – the annual musical tribute to the year’s Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

Programme:
Gustav Holst: Mars, the Bringer of War (from the Planets, Op. 32)
Krzysztof Penderecki: Lacrimosa
Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

Artistic Director & Conductor: Ayis Ioannides
Soloists: Margarita Elia (soprano), Vivien Cooksley (mezzo-soprano), Kirlianit Cortes (tenor), Russi Nikoff (bass)

Box Office Bookings
Nicosia:
Pallas Cinema - Theatre
Tel.: 22410181

Limassol:
Rialto Theatre
Tel.: 77777745
On-line www.rialto.com.cy

Municipal Garden Theatre
Tel.: 25343341, 25582268

The performance is part of the Kypria International Festival 2012