GENERAL INFORMATION

Enjoy world-class chamber music performances in the unique atmosphere of historic Kouklia, part of the Aphrodite Cultural Route in Cyprus.  

Every year during May/June, the International Pharos Chamber Music Festival brings some of the world’s most accomplished soloists and ensembles together in Cyprus for an intensive week of music-making. The Festival is now in its seventh year and has established, since its inception in 2001, an international reputation for the quality of its performances and its unique location. This year the festival is extending to the capital of Cyprus, with the first three concerts being held in Nicosia and the remaining four concerts at Kouklia.

The Artists
Thirteen renowned soloists and chamber musicians are participating this year, and listeners will be treated to seven concerts with a varied programme ranging from Bach and Mozart to Brahms, Schumann and Mendelssohn, as well as works by lesser known contemporary composers such as Alfvén, Arensky and Aho. Alex Chaushian and Levon Chilingirian are the Atistic Directors of the Festival.

Sharon Bezaly / Flute
Ian Brown / Piano
Philippe Cassard / Piano
Alex Chaushian / Cello
Levon Chilingirian / Violin
David Geringas / Cello
Angela Giannaki / Viola
Steven Isserlis / Cello
David Juritz  / Violin
Christoph Poppen / Violin
Diemut Poppen / Viola
Ashley Wass / Piano 
Alexander Zemtsov / Viola
 

The Venue and Surrounding Area
Situated next to the archaeological site of Aphrodite’s Sanctuary, the Royal Manor House is one of the finest surviving monuments of Frankish architecture on the island, and its Great Hall forms a unique atmospheric setting for chamber music performances. During intermissions, guests can enjoy a glass of wine under the stars in the beautiful courtyard. The complex also houses a small but interesting museum which records the rich history of human activity in the area from about 2800 BC to the present day.

The UNESCO World Heritage site at Palaipafos (Kouklia) constitutes part of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation’s “Aphrodite’s Cultural Route”, which encompasses nature sites connected to the goddess as well as museums and archaeological sites. Palaipafos, or Old Pafos, was a city-kingdom of Cyprus and one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centres of the ancient Greek world. It was the site of a famous sanctuary of Aphrodite, the oldest remains of which date back to the 12^th century BC.

Other noteworthy sights in the area include the ancient site of Curium (Kourion), with its spectacular Roman mosaics and restored amphitheatre, and the beach at Petra tou Romiou (Aphrodite’s Rock), where the goddess is said to have first risen from the sea. In the nearby mountain area there are numerous Byzantine churches containing some of the finest examples of conserved wall painting in the eastern Mediterranean region. For more information about Aphrodite’s Cultural Route visit www.visitcyprus.org/routes in Cyprus. 

The Festival Package
Festival guests will be able to relax in real style at the 5* Columbia Beach Resort or the 4* Columbia Beachhotel, situated side by side on a secluded Blue Flag beach at Pissouri Bay. The hotels are within easy reach of the island’s two airports, the towns of Paphos and Limassol, championship golf courses and other points of interest. In Pissouri Bay there are several choices for eating out and the picturesque village of Pissouri is only 4km away.

The Chamber Music Holiday package includes per person:

• 5 nights’ accommodation at Columbia Beachotel or Columbia Beach Resort on a bed & breakfast basis (arrival on 1 June and departure on 6 June 2007)
• Tickets to four concerts in Kouklia with preferential seating
• Transfers between the hotel and concert venue at Kouklia

Columbia Beachotel ««««              CY£ 450.00*
Columbia Beach Resort «««««    CY£ 690.00*
*    per person cost based on two people sharing a double room. Single occupancy is available at both hotels for a supplement.

Additional options include:

·       Additional nights at Columbia Beachotel or Columbia Beach Resort can be reserved at special festival rates

·       Tickets to the three Nicosia concerts, information about transport to and accommodation in Nicosia can be obtained from the Pharos Trust.

·       Excursions to view Byzantine churches and monasteries, archaeological sites or local wineries for wine-tasting can be arranged.