Wednesday, 29 October 2008, Rialto Theatre, Lemesos, 20:30
Thursday, 30 October 2008, Markideion Theatre, Pafos, 20:30
Friday, 31 October 2008, Strovolos Municipal Theatre, Lefkosia, 20:30
Soloist: Menelaos Menelaou (violin)
Music Direction: Sarah Ioannides
Programme:
J. Corigliano: Elegy for Orchestra
S. Barber: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, Op.14
V. Nicolaou: Fractus (World Premiere)
I. Stravinsky: Pulcinella Suite
A. Copland: Appalachian Spring Suite
Tickets available at the Theatres’ box office at €10 and at €5 for pensioners
Free entrance for students, soldiers, student card and EURO<26 card holders
Menelaos Menelaou was born in Lefkosia in 1971 and brought up in a musical environment. He began violin studies with his father G. Menelaou at the “Odeon Lefkosias”. His performing career started at a very young age, having given two solo recitals under the auspices of the Municipality of Lefkosia by the age of thirteen. During his studies at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, he appeared in many concerts and solo recitals in Russia, Cyprus, Greece and Czechoslovakia, while he also recorded for the radio and television in Cyprus. His most significant appearances include his participation at the BHS International Musical Festival in Bratislava in 1992, and the concerts in collaboration with the Janacek Symphony Orchestra of Ostrava under the baton of the American conductor Denis Burch. Since 2000 he lives and works in Cyprus. He regularly gives solo recitals and appears in chamber music concerts with various ensembles. From 2001 to 2003 he was a member of the Cyprus State Orchestra in the first violins section. Significant appearances include his participation at the Larnaka Classical Music Festival and at the 1st and 3rd Ledra Music Soloists International Chamber Music Festival. In addition to his diverse performances, he teaches the violin at the “Odeon Lefkosias”. Receiving phenomenal press for her performances as Music Director of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, Texas, and the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra, South Carolina, Sarah Ioannides is recognized for captivating audiences with graceful and powerful conducting. Noted for her innovative programming and creative artistic leadership since assuming the role with both orchestras in 2005, Mrs Ioannides is praised by the American Symphony Orchestra League as one of the nation’s top emerging conductors.
Born in Canberra, Australia to a Scottish mother and Cypriot father, Sarah Ioannides grew up in England. Awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 1996, she entered the Curtis Institute of Music as a conductor, where she received the Presser Foundation Scholarship to study in St. Petersburg. She subsequently received a Masters of Music in Conducting at the Juilliard School, was awarded the Bruno Walter Scholarship, and served as assistant conductor to Otto Werner-Mueller. In 2001, she received the JoAnne Falletta Award for “the most promising female conductor”. From 1999 to 2003, Mrs Ioannides served as assistant conductor to composer Tan Dun touring Japan, China, Hong Kong, Russia, France, Germany, the USA and the UK. As such, she conducted the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Flemish Radio Orchestra and the Oregon Bach Festival. Also, she served as Assistant Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra (2002-2004). Recent engagements include the Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra in Korea, the Swedish Wind Ensemble, the Orquesta Sinfonica Municipal de Caracas, the Flemish Radio Orchestra at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Naumburg Concert Series in New York City and the Annapolis Symphony. Additionally, Mrs Ioannides has appeared with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the National Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony and the London Symphony Orchestra. Upcoming guest engagements during the 2008 season include the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra, Orchestra Nationale de Lyon, as well as the Nordic Chamber Orchestra.
