Cyprus history in opera
June Samaras
By Saskia Constantinou
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=33320&cat_id=9
CYPRUS' first opera composer Michalis Hadjiloizou will be having his
melodrama 9th of July 1821 – The Song of Kyprianos staged at the
Nicosia Municipal Theatre on July 9 under the auspices of Archbishop
Chrysostomos II.
The Orchestra of the Melodramatic Stage of Nicosia, together with the
Chorus of Nicosia Music Society, the Theatre Group of Palechori and
the Ballet Company of Antigoni Tasouri, will be conducted by Yiannis
Hadjiloizou.
Highlights of the opera have been performed in numerous European
countries and the United States, and, although the opera has been
staged in its entirety at the Presidential Palace in previous years,
this will be the first performance with orchestra, soloist, chorus,
ballet and theatre.
Conductor Yiannis Hadjiloizou is particularly excited about the impact
of the work: "The work has a significant musicological and historic
character as it is the only work which proves the co-existence of
ancient Greek drama, Byzantium and the East and modern western
civilisation in a modern opera."
Conducting his father's work has not presented any problems, although
Yiannis explains that "it's not so easy in the first rehearsals – I'm
his son, and while I admire his work, I have my own musical opinion
and thoughts…"
Yiannis has returned to Cyprus after ten years in the United States
with a Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting. "I want to offer all the
experiences which I received, such as master classes with great
conductors like Lorin Mazel, Solti and Barenboim to Cyprus and to
generate an even greater interest in classical music." Although
Yiannis prefers classical music, his musical album is far and wide
ranging, and he feels that "diversity is the spice of life".
He is particularly excited about conducting the opera – an expression
of the work by national poet Vasilis Michaelides which details the
events when the Cypriot people joined the Greek uprising of 1821.
During Ottoman rule, the island had fallen into economic decline, and
reaction to Turkish misrule caused uprisings, but the Greek Cypriots
were never strong enough to prevail. During the Greek War of
Independence in 1821, the Ottoman authorities feared the Greeks of the
island would rebel again. Archbishop Kyprianos, a powerful leader who
worked to improve the education of Greek Cypriot children, was accused
of plotting against the government. Kyprianos, his bishops and
hundreds of priests and important laymen were arrested and summarily
executed on July 9, 1821.
Tickets will be available at £10 each at the theatre box office from
July 2, 2007. For further information, call 22- 432665.
SYNOPSIS
In the first act, a kind hearted member of the council, Kioroglou,
warns the Archbishop of Muselim Agas' intention to arrest and kill
him. Kioroglou offers to help him escape, but Kyprianos refuses,
saying "rather than the blood of the many, let them take the
bishop's".
With the wooden bell call on Saturday, Kyprianos enters the church and
kneeling in front of the Virgin Mary, receives Holy Communion before
going out to the church garden. The Turkish soldiers are there
waiting, and arrest him, taking him to the Muselim Agas at the
Sarayio.
Commands are given by the Muselim for the gallows to be prepared. The
Archbishop expresses his doubts about the words of the Muselim that
the Greeks are preparing a revolution against them but he insists,
claiming written proof. Kyprianos answers: "Romiosini will disappear
when the world ends."
The Turks search for evidence about the Greek revolution and bring a
virtuous shepherd, Dimitris to Muselim Agas. The illiterate man is
threatened with his life, and forced to seal with his fingertip the
documents presented to him. The Turks use his admission of the
contents of the document as evidence of the revolution.
Understanding the Muselim's intentions, Kioroglou sends his son to
visit Kyprianos and his three bishops in prison, offering them a
disguise and assistance in escaping.
Although grateful for the assistance, they refuse and moments later,
pray that God will forgive the ones who hate them and also help those
in battle.
The second Act begins with an interlude where the Turks are gathered
at the Sarayio making their final arrangements. Kyprianos and his
bishops are brought to the council and prepared for the gallows.
For a third time, Kioroglou tries unsuccessfully to change Kyprianos' mind.
Two men have already been hanged. Kyprianos raises his eyes to God and
is hanged on the fig tree, with the three bishops and the shepherd
Dimitris, having their heads cut off.
As the tragic news spreads, everyone in the capital is in mourning.
Despite the request to Muselim Agas for the dead bodies to properly
buried, it is refused for three days.
Il Trovatore in Paphos
Verdi's three act opera Il Trovatore will be staged by the Abai State
Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in Paphos this year in the
spectacular open air setting at the Paphos harbour. This is the ninth
year of the Festival, which organisers have set to be even grander
than previous productions.
Stella Siepi, who has much of the responsibility, vows that "not only
will this be a marvellous musical evening, but it will be different
from other years, placing the audience in the period of the opera.
There will be many extras for the audience, including special dinners
in the surrounds in keeping with the theme of the opera."
The policy of previous years will be retained that children under the
age of eight will not be allowed entrance, with every effort made to
begin the performance punctually. As always, 'doors' will be closed at
the start of the performance in order not to disturb others.
Stella explained that "although the company from the Abai Theatre is
new to the Paphos Festival, some of the soloists and directors have
been involved in previous productions. The company opened in January
1934 becoming the focus of musical culture in Kazakhstan." In 1938,
the theatre formed its own ballet troupe, three years later taking the
name of the great Kazakh educator, philosopher, humanist and poet,
Abai Kunanbaev. It is now the largest theatre in the Euroasian
territory. The choice of a Verdi opera is always a firm favourite with
Paphos audiences and this colourful and melodic work is sure to
delight.
As the opera is cleverly placed over a weekend – opening night is on
Friday August 31, it is a wonderful way to combine culture with
relaxation – whether it be sipping pina coladas under the
bougainvillea on the hotel terrace overlooking the beach or
appreciating the many varied historical sites that the region of
Paphos has to offer. And then for three consecutive evenings, the
sounds of Il Trovatore. Tickets and accommodation are included in the
various packages on offer by Classic Travel – log onto the website for
more details - www.cyprusclassical.com
--
June Samaras
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