I’M sure you’ve all watched films with kings and queens and all their little eccentricities, but have you ever wondered about our queen? The opportunity to know a little about Caterina Cornaro, Cyprus’ last queen is given to you à la opera style.
A Cypriot production is being staged by Gaetano Donizetti, organised by the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture. Nine years have passed since the last Cypriot opera production was presented, during the ‘Kypria’ festival in 1995, so this is a real treat for music lovers. “This is a Cypriot production, into which the team has put their heart and soul,” said Nora Hadjisoteriou, opera project manager.
“Although it is a Cypriot production, not all the cast is Cypriot,” Nora said, “but most of them are and, if I dare say, are brilliant.” I took her word for it after going through their resumes. Margarita Elia, who plays Queen Caterina, is currently working on major roles in London with Arlene Randazzo, a soloist at the New York City Opera. In 2002, Margarita represented Cyprus, performing works by Cypriot composer Adamos Katsantonis, at the annual International Arts Festival in Korea. Very impressive.
Gerardo (no, he’s not the king but I think he was Caterina’s secret lover) is being played by the tenor Yiannos Constantinou. During the International Festival ‘Kypria 1995’, he took part in the production of Mozart’s opera Cosi fan Tutte, directed by Ayis Ioannides, singing the part of Fernando, while, in 1997, he sang the part of Cassio in the international production of Verdi’s Otello.
Lusignano is being played by the baritone Jeffrey Carl, who won the American Express Prize for Vocal Excellence at the Holland Park Opera Festival in 1997. So far, a very impressive team. Continuing with Yiannos Christopoulos who sings Strozzi, Pompeiu Harasteanu will perform Moncenigo, and Damon Nestor Ploumis plays Andrea Cornaro.
APART from the fact that this is an opera all about our last queen, what makes this event a very special one is where the plot is set. “There has been nothing like it before,” said Nora. “The stage scenery is planned down to the last detail.” But what could be more perfect than the Venetian walls in the background? “We have been planning the opera for three years, so everything down to the arrangement of the seats is carefully thought of,” she explained. Everything is being organised by Nora and Ayis Ioannides, who is the Artistic and Musical director.
However, the opera is directed by Pierre Leon from Belgium, who is known in Cyprus for his outstanding staging of Mozart’s opera Cosi fan Tutte, at the International Festival ‘Kypria 1995’.
Just so you know what you’re watching, here’s a little history lesson. Caterina Cornaro became Queen of Cyprus through her marriage to James II Lusignan of Cyprus, who was of French origin. In celebration of her marriage in Venice in 1468, the 14-year-old girl was given the title Daughter of St. Mark. The marriage – arranged by her father Marco Cornaro and her uncle Andrea, two of the most ingenious men in the illustrious history of the Cornaro family and of Venice itself — was confirmed by a ceremony in Cyprus four years later.
Unfortunately, in 1473, she lost her husband as well as her son, thus becoming sole ruler of Cyprus. However, many were the problems as Venice had a very clear influence on her and Cyprus. There was also an unsuccessful coup attempt by Cypriot nobility in November 1473 against her uncle Andrea. Because of that her father was dispatched by the Venetian government to counsel his daughter.
Queen Caterina died in 1510, but did she die peacefully?
Well, you’ll have to visit the Famagusta Gate moat later in the month to find out.
n Caterina Cornaro. Famagusta Gate Moat September 22, 24 and 25. Tickets: £10 and £5 (for students, soldiers and pensioners). Available from the Strovolos Municipal Theatre in Nicosia and the Pattichion Municipal Theatre in Larnaca
