The 5th week of the Nicosia International Festival continues with the musical performance dedicated to the Italian composer Ennio Moricone by the Cypriot pianist and composer Stavros Lancia and the theatrical performance of the National Theatre of Cyprus “Perliblin and Belisa” by the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca.
“My Ennio Morricone” by Stavros Lantsias
Wednesday 1/11, Nicosia Municipal Theatre, 20:30 (75΄)
Τhe Cypriot pianist and composer Stavros Lantsias, having collaborated with notable Greek artists such as Dionysis Savvopoulos, Alkinoos Ioannidis, Eleni Karaindrou, and Nikos Xydakis, forges his own distinct path in the world of music and pays homage to his favorite Italian composer. Together with the Stavros Lantsias Quartet, Stavros Lantsias presents the melodies of Ennio Morricone (1928-2020), a winner of two Oscars, three Golden Globes, four Grammy Awards, and six BAFTA Awards.
Stavros Lantsias presents some of Morricone’s most iconic compositions, including selections from a repertoire of over 500 musical masterpieces. The enchanting melodies of “Lolita”, “Cinema Paradiso”, “Once Upon a Time in the West”, and “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” are brought to life by Lantsias together with three esteemed musicians who have made their own mark on the contemporary Greek music scene. Lantsias infuses his unique perspective into Morricone’s timeless works and delves deeply into the essence of the composer’s creations comprehending the rich spectrum of each composition. Through his own creative lens, he orchestrates a cinematic experience where visuals are transcended. The evening is not just a tribute to the Italian composer but also a celebration of the art of cinema itself, meant to evoke a profound sense of wonder and imagination.
The concert “My Own Ennio Morricone” is being presented at the Nicosia International Festival following its success at the Athens Megaron (Athens Concert Hall), the Premiere Nights of the Athens International Film Festival, and at the Basil & Elise Goulandris Foundation.
Biography of Stavros Lantsias
He studied classical piano and music theory at the Greek Conservatory of Nicosia. He holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Commercial Arranging from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has taken courses in film music composition. After Berklee he continued his piano studies with the internationally renowned jazz professor and “guru” Charlie Banakos. He was awarded the Count Basie Jazz Masters award for pianists in 1989 and the Quincy Jones Jazz Masters award for arrangers in 1990. He performs his compositions with the band “Human Touch”, which he has formed together with the distinguished musicians Giotis Kiourtsoglou and David Lynch. In 1998 he released the eponymous album “Human Touch” and in 2005 “Movin”. His first personal recording entitled “Return” was released in 1999. Other recordings followed, with the latest being his most recent recording of his compositions, featuring Peter Erskine on drums and Lars Danielsson on double bass.
Piano, melodica, metallophone: Stavros Lantsias
Prophet, flugelhorn: Antreas Polyzogopoulos
Double bass: Michalis Kalkanis
Drums: Michalis Kapilides
THE LOVE OF DON PERLIMPLÍN AND BELISA IN THE GARDEN by Federico García Lorca
Produced by: ETHAL
Wednesday 01/11, Nicosia Municipal Theatre, 20:30 (90΄)
“Federico García Lorca succeeded in breathing new life into a familiar theme by deploying the full arsenal of the traditional farce, revealing the absurdity of human relationships, and the staggering vision of a truth that is not readily accessible to all” (excerpt from the introductory note by Nikos Gatsos to the Greek adaptation of the play by himself).
In celebration of the Spanish Presidency of the European Council of the European Union, ETHAL pays tribute to the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca. Written at 1929, the play’s revival after more than two decades, is directed ETHAL’s Artistic Director Achilleas Grammatikopoulos. Lorca’s inspiration is dead end love as well as unfulfilled love. The story of Perlimplín and Belisa is a tender, yet painful story; a homage to love which balances between lyricism and the grotesque.
In the play, Don Perlimplín, an elderly man, leads a secluded life in his mansion, where his only companions are his books. His devoted housekeeper, Marcolfa, who looks after him, becomes increasingly concerned about his well-being when she passes away. She encourages him to marry, hoping that a wife will bring him companionship and happiness, but Perlimplin adamantly refuses. However, when he hears Belisa singing, he surrenders unconditionally to her charm and asks her to be his wife. The time has come for him to experience the unpredictable nature of love and to pay its weighty price.
Directed by: Achilleas Grammatikopoulos
Set / Costumes: Yiorgos Yiannou
Music composition/ Sound design: Christina Georgiou
Movement: Milena Ugren Koulas
Lighting Design: Vassilis Peteinaris
Assistant Director: Ioanna Retsa
Cast: Dimitris Antoniou, Margarita Zachariou, Anthi Kasinou, Myrto Kouyiali, Konstantina Xenofontos, Melina Koutsofta and Marina Vronti
Production organization: Thalis Michaelides
Console mode: Yianna Georgiadou
Poster-Print design: ARTemis Graphics & Visual Communication
Tickets: https://bit.ly/NIF23_tickets Stephanis shops and at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre box office (Monday – Friday 10:00-13:00).
Ticket price
ZONE A (€18.00 / €15.00)
ZONE B (€16.00 / €12.00)
ZONE C (€14.00 / €10.00)
ZONE D (€12.00 / €10.00)
For information: 22797979 (Monday – Friday 10:00-13:00).
