Perennial Mozart favourite for Paphos festival

By Bejay Browne

PAPHOS is gearing up for the Pafos Aphrodite festival 2014 with the highly acclaimed operatic production of Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte which will get underway next month.
The three performances will take place on September 5, 6 and 7 at the specially constructed open air amphitheatre at Paphos harbour, with the added attraction of the medieval fort as a backdrop.
“We are celebrating the 16th festival this year and are pleased to welcome the Opera Futura Verona, the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, the lyric chorus of Pafos Aphrodite Festival and the Amintore Galli chorus of Rimini in Italy,” said the mayor of Paphos, Savvs Vergas.
The orchestra and the chorus will be conducted by Cypriot conductor Ayis Ioannides and the productions sets have been created by renowned Italian director and set designer Paolo Panizza. Most of the opera’s cast and soloists will arrive in Cyprus today.
“This is a fantastic setting for the opera; listening to Mozart’s music under the stars,” the mayor said:
The then controversial two act opera saw its premiere at the Burgtheater in Vienna in 1790. It was regarded as daring for its time, as its focuses on a story of exchanging lovers.
“The story continues to enchant audiences today as it deals with the timeless issues of love, unfaithfulness, reason and emotion. These co-exist in a comic story where deception entwines with the truth and the facade co-exists with the face,” said festival manager Stella Shepi.
The company of ‘Pafos Aphrodite Festival Cyprus’ – PAFC – was founded in 1998 by the municipalities of Paphos, Yeroskipou and Peyia, along with the Paphos chamber of commerce and the Paphos board of the Cyprus Hoteliers Association.
Shepi said the organisation is non profit making and aims to promote the area as an international centre of high profile cultural events as well as contributing to Cyprus’ global standing in both the cultural and tourist sectors.
Shepi said that hundreds of opera lovers from all over the world are expected to once again descend on Paphos to enjoy the open air performances. She added that the event has gained global recognition and momentum with each passing year.
”This opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart marks the 16-year-old success story of the Pafos Aphrodite Festival and confirms its status by again presenting an artistic performance of international range,” she said.
Subtitle translation will be available in Greek and English during all of the performances.

Mozart’s ‘Cosi Fan Tutte’, September 5, 6 and 7 at the mediaeval fort in Paphos. Tickets are priced 25, 40, 50 and 70 euros. Visit www.pafc.com.cy or [email protected] or call 26822218

 

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