Karagiozis goes to a concert

Well-known and beloved folklore character Karagiozis is upgrading his shadow theatre home to be part of a family concert series with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra. Across three dates this month in Deryneia, Polis Chrysochous and Nicosia, an original and entertaining musical theatre performance for children and grown-ups alike introduces the audience to the world of classical music.

Titled Karagiozis Goes to a Concert, the performance is part of the orchestra’s family concert series that aims to engage young audiences with live classical music. The idea to combine Karagkiozis shadow theatre with popular classical works in performance belongs to the CySO honourary conductor Alkis Baltas, and Karagkiozis Goes to a Concert is now being presented for the third time in Cyprus. The first performance will be at the Deryneia Municipal Amphitheatre on June 15, then at the Polis Chrysochous Cultural Centre on June 16 and finally at the Pallas Theatre in Nicosia for a double show at 6pm and 8pm the following day.

The storyline follows Nionios (Mr Dionysios), an ardent music lover, who tries to convince Karagkiozis to attend a classical music concert, organized by Vizier’s daughter. Karagkiozis refuses to do so until Veligegas orders that everyone should attend the concert: Karagkiozis, Barbayiorgos, Stavrakas, Hadjiavatis and all the other shadow theatre characters. During the concert, Karagkiozis has many questions: about the instruments, the music, the composer and other things, which Nionios patiently explains in simple words, wishing to initiate him into the world of classical music. Gradually, Karagkiozis completely changes his view about this music, which he previously thought to be difficult and rather dull. Now, he loves it!

“The idea for creating a music-theatrical performance for children,” said Baltas, “that would be both recreational and at the same time a fine introduction to classical music has been in my mind for quite a few years now. In July 2016, I was finally able to materialise this project. So, Karagkiozis came to mind. This Greek folklore shadow theatre hero whom I used to watch as a child in performances shown in my neighbourhood continues to spread great enthusiasm and fun to young and old even in our days. So, I wrote the story of this performance, I chose the works that would suit its unfolding and I arranged some of them for a small musical ensemble.

“The work was ready musically. However, the key artist was missing: a Karagkiozis puppeteer. I had the fortune of meeting an excellent professional who carries on the great tradition of Karagkiozis shadow theatre, Thodoris Kostidakis. I gave him the text I had written to which he made a few additions of his own, experienced as he is in this folk art form. Both of us got excited at the prospect of presenting this work. The work was first performed with great success by a CySO ensemble in December 2016 in Nicosia, and again last February 2022 in all main cities.

“Through the funny episodes in the work,” he concludes, “the young members of our audience will learn many things about music and, of course, about classical works. I hope that not only our young friends but also their parents will love this performance!”

Karagiozis Goes to a Concert

Family concert by the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra. June 15. Deryneia Municipal Amphitheatre, Famagusta. June 16. 8pm. Polis Chrysochous Cultural Centre, Paphos. 8pm. June 17. Pallas Theatre, Nicosia. 6pm and 8pm. €7. Tel: 22-463144. www.cyso.org.cy