Cypriot guitar tunes, Greek artists and Argentinian instruments will sound at The Shoe Factory later this month as the venue prepares to host musicians and guests once again. On April 16 and in collaboration with the 15th International Guitar Festival EGTA – Cyprus, the Pharos Arts Foundation will host a very special concert, one that was scheduled for November 2020 but had to be postponed.

Cyprus guitarphiles will be treated to two distinct programmes in the same evening – a recital by the renowned Greek guitarist Thanos Mitsalas and a recital by the talented Cyprus Guitar Trio.

Having been described by Classical Guitar Magazine as “a formidable guitarist” and praised by Minor 7th Magazine for his “enormous and evocative tonal range, world-class command of the instrument, and a unique and defining musical voice”, Mitsalas is recognised as one of the leading guitarists of his generation. His rich musicianship as well as his tireless quest for artistic perfectionism have already garnered him high praise from critics, while his intense musical intuition, flawless technique and personal style captivate audiences worldwide. On the evening of April 16, Mitsalas will perform works by Joaquín Rodrigo, Miguel Llobet, Agustín Barrios and Sergio Assad among others.

In the second half of the evening, the Cyprus Guitar Trio will take the stage. Founded in 2015, the trio is dedicated to the promotion of the important yet unexplored repertoire of the combination of three classical guitars, as well the creation of new works for this combination, and the arrangements and transcriptions of existing works.

Part of their set will include pieces by Roland Dyens, Ferenc Farkas, Máximo Diego Pujol. Though there are still a few weeks to go until the concert, seating is limited at The Shoe Factory due to the current measures in place. Audiences are so advised to purchase their tickets in advance through the Pharos Arts Foundation’s box office.

Another concert was scheduled to take place at The Shoe Factory on the following day yet it was recently announced that it had to be postponed, for the second time. A performance by the Bandini-Chiacchiaretta Duo was originally planned for November 2020 as part of the 15th International Guitar Festival EGTA – Cyprus events and almost half a year later, it was finally going to reach the stage. Alas, due to the latest travel measures imposed by Italy, the musicians can no longer travel to Cyprus and yet again the concert has to be rescheduled for another date.

April 17’s concert was going to welcome more guitar sounds yet in a completely new manner. Dedicated to the promotion of Argentinean music through the charm and magic of its most representative instruments (the guitar and the bandoneón), the Bandini-Chiacchiaretta Duo has become an important point of reference in the international concert circuit thanks to the two musicians’ great rapport and extraordinary charisma.

The duo has appeared in some of the most notable festivals and important venues throughout the world, it has toured in more than 50 countries and gained vast critical and audience acclaim. The Bandini-Chiacchiaretta Duo’s concert will be the musician’s first visit and performance in Cyprus, playing an exciting programme, not to be missed, with works by Piazzolla, Villoldo, Brouwer, Pujol. We will just have to hold on a little while longer until they introduce their sounds and instruments to the island.

Thanos Mitsalas and the Cyprus Guitar Trio

Concert by Greek guitarist and popular local guitar ensemble. April 16. The Shoe Factory, Nicosia. 8.30pm. Limited seating. Tel: 22-663871

Bandini-Chiacchiaretta Duo Postponed

Concert by musicians Giampaolo Bandini and Cesare Chiacchiaretta playing Argentinian instruments. Postponed for a future date. The Shoe Factory, Nicosia. Tel: 22-663871