Leading classics
CLASSICAL music will resound through Bellapais Abbey for a month during the 14th Bellapais Spring Music Festival.
Some 11 concerts take place between April 11 and May 12, featuring a selection of the TRNC’s top musicians.
The Band of the Security Forces Command kicks off the season on Wednesday with an invitation-only performance, followed by a free-entry public concert on Thursday. Conducted by Fatih Erdoğdu and Murat Menket, the orchestra features soloist Hakan Ali Toker on piano and will start with Beethoven’s Egmont Overture.
Turkish State Orchestra musician Gülsin Onay follows with a piano recital on Friday, April 20, performing Bach’s Italian Concerto, Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata, Chopin’s Ballade No 3 and Nocturne Opus 48, and Franck’s Prelude, Choral and Fugue.
The Anima Piano Trio perform on Tuesday, April 24, followed by a performance featuring World War II music by the Lefkoşa Turkish Municipality Orchestra on Thursday, April 26. The Expromte Trio perform on Saturday, April 28, followed by a cello and piano recital by Püren Eda Gözer and Yulia Strastsenkava on Wednesday, May 2.
The TRNC Presidential Symphony Orchestra, led by French conductor Chloe van Soeterstede and featuring Berlin Philharmonic soloist cellist Knut Weber, will perform Schumann’s Cello Concerto and Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony on Saturday, May 5.
A flamenco guitar performance by Ezgi Anıl “Paquito” follows on Tuesday, May 8, before a piano recital by Gülseren Sadak on Thursday, May 10.
The “Three Tenors” — Ayhan Uştuk, Şenol Talınlı and Aykut Çınar — will close the festival on May 12.
The event is organised by the North Cyprus Music Association, backed by the TRNC Presidency, the Turkish Embassy, Tourism and Environment Ministry and the Culture Department. Main sponsors are Telsim Vodaphone, the Rocks Hotel, Deniz Plaza, Bellapais Gardens and Kybele.
All performances start at 8.30pm. Tickets for all but the opening concerts cost 40TL and are available at Deniz Plaza and stationery shops in Lefkoşa and Girne, Girne’s Dome Hotel, the Bellapais ticket office and the village’s Bellapais Gardens and Kybele venues, as well as on the door.
For more information call 0542 852 2385 or (0392) 815 7540.