The last Autumn month at the Nicosia International Festival 2023 includes theatre performances, concerts and a vivid universe of dance, music, projections and acrobatics.
November started with a strong Italian flavour, a tribute by Cypriot pianist and composer Stavros Lantsia, who introduced us to “his” favourite Italian composer Ennio Morricone. The concert, entitled “My Ennio Morricone”, was attended by many people, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Culture Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou, the Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki, the Councillors of the Municipality of Nicosia Kyriakos Tsimillisi and Olga Maroudia and the recent candidate for the Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus Andreas Mavroyiannis.
STAVROS LANTSIAS: MY ENNIO MORRICONE
Wednesday 1/11 20:30 (75΄)
The Cypriot pianist and composer Stavros Lantsias, following his collaborations with important 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 Ennio Morricone. Together with three musicians who have written their own history in the contemporary Greek music scene, he presents the melodies of Ennio Morricone (1928-2020), winner of two Oscars, three Golden Globes, four Grammy Awards and six BAFTA Awards.
Piano, melodica, metallophone: Stavros Lantsias
Trumpet, flugelhorn: Andreas Polyzogopoulos
Double bass: Michalis Kalkanis
Drums: Michael Kapilidis
THE LOVE OF DON PERLIMPLÍN AND BELISA IN THE GARDEN by Federico Garcia Lorca
Produced by: ETHAL
Friday 3/11 20:30 (90΄)
On the occasion of Spain assuming the Presidency of the European Council of the European Union, ETHAL honours the Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca. In the play, the ageing Don Perliblin lives in seclusion in his mansion with the company of books and his housekeeper, who urges him to get married. Perliblin stubbornly refuses, but when he hears Belisa singing about love, he unconditionally surrenders to her seduction and asks her to be his wife. The time has come for him to experience the ultimate love for the first time, but also to taste its unpredictable and weighty price.
Directed by: Achilleas Grammatikopoulos
Sets / Costumes: George Giannou
Music composition / sound design: Christina Georgiou
Movement: Milena Ugren Koulas
Lighting design: Vassilis Peteinaris
Assistant Director: Ioanna Retsa
Performers: Dimitris Antoniou, Margarita Zachariou, Anthi Kasinou, Myrto Kougiali, Konstantina Xenophontos, Melina Koutsofta and Marina Vrontis.
Production management: Thalis Michaelides
Console operation: Yanna Georgiadou
COME ON AND KILL ME, MY DEAR… by Aziz Nesin
Produced by: ROI Theatre
Monday 6/11 20:30 (75′)
The creative team of the ROI Theatre meets the Turkish award-winning writer and playwright Aziz Nesin (1916 – 1995). At the core of the play are two widows who live haunted by memories of the past. They continue to dream of a new lovers until they learn that there is a woman killer in town who strangles lonely women. The play was staged both in Greece (KTHVE – 2007) and Cyprus (ETHAL – 2008).
Directed by Derman Atik
Stage design, costumes: Lakis Genethlis
Lighting and sound design: Dimitris Giannakou
Performers: Poppy Avraam, Valentina Sofokleous, Haris Pisias
CAMILLE AND JULIE BERTHOLLET
Friday 10/11 20:30 (100′)
The “Anastasios G. Leventis” Foundation, the Embassy of France in Cyprus, the French Institute of Cyprus, and the Leventis Municipal Museum of Nicosia collaborate with the Nicosia International Festival and present the sisters Camille and Julie Berthollet in a unique concert under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Christodoulides.
The Berthollet sisters, who have been distinguished and honoured with major awards at musical events, are an internationally renowned string duo. Since 2011 they have performed numerous performances worldwide, always receiving the best reviews for their performances.
Part of the proceeds from the performance will be donated to support the Visiting and Patient Welfare Council of the Archbishop Makarios III Hospital.
STAMATIS SPANOUDAKIS IN CONCERT
With Vassilis Saleas
Produced by: Melodico Karavi
Saturday 11/11 20:30
Sunday 12/11 18:30
(120΄)
The Greek composer, who inaugurated the 1st Nicosia International Festival in October 2019, returns to the Nicosia Municipal Theatre for the 4th edition of the festival. He presents the grand concert, dedicated to Alexandre the Great, which was presented underneath the Acropolis only last month, in a soldout Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Together with Stamatis Spanoudakis on stage, 28 years later, the unique Vassilis Saleas with his clarinet.
Lyrics, music, orchestration: Stamatis Spanoudakis
Orchestra, keyboards: Dinos Georgountzos
Clarinet: Vassilis Saleas
Violin: Elena Kiseleva
Cello: Dimitris Kottaridis
Piano: George Kontovas
Double bass: Nikos Hatzopoulos
Drums: Panos Katsikiotis
Percussion: Takis Vasiliou
Trumpet, flichorn: Vassilis Vassiliadis
With the participation of the string orchestra “Tamalo” and the choir of TEY-ATHK
Production: Melodic Karavi
THE LITTLE PRINCE
Produced by: Broadway Entertainment Group
Friday 17/11, Saturday 18/11 20:00
Sunday 19/11 18:30
(110΄)
Generations around the world love Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince. The international book phenomenon, which has sold a stunning 200 million copies, comes alive at the Nicosia International Festival 80 years after the first edition of the book in a magical theatre spectacular which has already toured in Paris, New York, Dubai and Sydney.
Experience a constellation of compelling characters and colourful costumes. Leap into a vivid universe of dance, music, projections and acrobatics. Immerse yourself in a uniquely innovative international stage production that will capture your heart and challenge your imagination.
Adaptation: Chris Mouron, based on the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Co-directors: Anne Tournié & Chris Mouron
Choreography: Anne Tournié
Music by Terry Truck
Based on the original book of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Editions Gallimard 1945
100 YEARS OF DISNEY
People Entertainment Group
Saturday 25/11 20:00
Sunday 26/11 18:30
(120΄)
100 years of adventure, 100 years of emotions, 100 years of Disney magic!
Nicosia International Festival 2023 presents a concert that is part of the official celebrations of Disney’s 100th anniversary. One hundred years of magic with songs and musical themes from Disney’s most beloved films brought to life on the Nicosia Municipal Theatre stage by an orchestra of 56 musicians and major West End singers. The concert is a unique audio-visual experience with a backdrop of films that taught young and old alike to dream, including Alladin, Lion King, Little Mermaid, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, Encanto, and many more.
The concert is directed by Dimitris Malissovas with performances by Ben Forster (The Phantom of the Opera), Louise Dearman (Wicked), Rachel John (Hamilton), Luke Bayer (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), Andrian Hansel (Guys and Dolls) and Nadia Boule as both the presenter and one of the performers.
Conductor: Dimosthenis Fotiades
Ensemble: Panos Patayiannis, Maria Papadopoulou, Danae Tsironi, Raphael Kritoulis
ISLAND SEEDS: BEGINNINGS
Wednesday 29/11 20:30 (75΄)
The music collective, born in the spring of 2022 in Nicosia’s buffer zone, is comprised of eight artists and musicians from Cyprus’ largest two communities. Brought together by Home of Cooperation and the United by Sound program’s creative director Lefteris Moumtzis, the collective serves as a medium of musical self-discovery and experimentation, drawing from each member’s own musical path and career.
Island Seeds bring to the Nicosia International Festival their long-awaited first album Beginnings which is a musical journey that began with the first single Stray Cat.
The opening act of the evening is artist Nama Dama, with her songs combining live looping and narration.
Guitar, vocals: Alexis Sunder
Vocals: Ezgi Akgürgen
Flute, vocals: Cemre Arca
Electric guitar: Alexandra Astraiou Karidis, Alexandros Komodromos
Electric bass: Arman Tatlicioglu
Drums: Ulaş Öğüç
Piano: Odysseas Vlamis
The Festival would like to inform you that due to the war in neighbouring Israel, the scheduled contemporary dance performances by the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company Director’s Cut (Saturday and Sunday 25, 26/11) and 360o (Monday 27/11), as well as Habima’s production The best year of my life, have been postponed. The Festival is in contact with the artistic companies to reschedule the performances.
Tickets: https://bit.ly/NIF23_tickets Stephanis shops and at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre box office (Monday – Friday 10:00-13:00).
Information: 22797979 (Monday – Friday 10:00-13:00).
