The
'landmark' First International Bellapais Music
Festival was held between April 23 and May 8.
The
opening occasion was
attended by some of the TRNC's leading people, including
the President of the Republic Rauf Denktash.
At the
opening of the festival, world famous pianist, Idil Biret,
performed with the Contemporary Women's Chamber Orchestra
under the baton of conductor Ender Sakpinar, and the
program included works by Mozart, Wiren and Grieg.
Performers
came from many places around the world -- Britain,
Mozambique, Switzerland, America, Azerbaijan and Turkey --
to lend their talents.
Bellapais
Abbey is located on the north side of the Five Finger (Besparmak)
Mountains and commands an extraordinarily sweeping view
east to west along the north coast of Cyprus. Built by
Augustinian monks in the late 12th or early 13th century,
the abbey has been called the most beautiful Gothic
building in the Near East. The abbey's main walls remain
amid a setting of greenery as an oasis of peace.
Widely
acclaimed Cypriot pianist Rüya Taner who studied in London
and has given performances in a number of countries will
also give a concert from the works of Mozart during
the Festival. |
