The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra concert entitled “Cyprien Katsaris meets the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra” took place on Tuesday, 30 June 2026, at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre, marking the closing of the cultural programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.
A press release by the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra says that the featured soloist was the legendary virtuoso pianist Cyprien Katsaris, performing under the baton of the Orchestra’s new Artistic Director, the internationally acclaimed conductor Myron Michailidis.
In the presence of government officials, ambassadors from various countries and distinguished guests, opening remarks were delivered by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou, who noted that the concert “is inextricably linked to the deeper message of the Cyprus Presidency: the vision of a Europe that draws strength from its cultural diversity, invests in coexistence and mutual respect, and promotes openness, creative cooperation and meaningful dialogue among its peoples.”
The new Artistic Director of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, Myron Michailidis, welcomed the audience, expressing his great joy at assuming his new duties, and invited the public to embrace what he described as “this jewel of Cyprus” in reference to the Orchestra.
"An artist of immense international stature and prestige on the world music scene, Cyprien Katsaris truly mesmerised the audience with his incomparable pianistic artistry in Franz Liszt’s “Fantasia on Themes from L. v. Beethoven’s incidental music to The Ruins of Athens” and “Hungarian Fantasy for Piano and Orchestra”, offering a unique experience for the audience of the CySO. He also delighted the audience with a special encore: the Elegy by Armenian composer Arno Babadjanian, which he dedicated to the memory of all those who lose their lives each day to the tragedies of war" it adds.
Prior to the appearance of the renowned pianist, the Orchestra performed Dawn on the Parthenon by the Cypriot composer, conductor and musicologist Solon Michaelides.
"The Orchestra performed with vibrant energy and expressive power a splendid mosaic of celebrated European dances and works, reflecting the richness of Europe’s cultural heritage. From the triumphant grandeur of Charpentier and the Mediterranean warmth and passion of Massenet and Bizet, to the captivating dance rhythms of Brahms and Dvořák, the Viennese brilliance of Johann Strauss and the distinctly Greek musical identity of Skalkottas, the programme highlighted the creative diversity that characterises Europe".
The concert concluded with Robert Stolz’s United Nations March, "a work of special symbolism that underscored the values of peaceful coexistence, cooperation and mutual respect among nations".
The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Foundation "expresses its great satisfaction at the success of this memorable evening—an entirely fitting and successful finale to the cultural programme of the Cyprus Presidency—and extends its sincere thanks to the Deputy Ministry of Culture and the Secretariat of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026 for their excellent collaboration".
Finally, it says that it "warmly congratulates the Cyprus Presidency for the outstanding work accomplished throughout its term".
