SELECTIVE PRESS REVIEW

SOPHIA THEOFANOUS – ESTIA ATHINON (Musical Movement)

"……Ioli Mousteri is a multitalented personality with inspiration and imagination and with an ability to choose the appropriate collaborators for the accomplishment of her artistic visions.  The activities of the Cyprus opera outside the geographical boundaries of the island were vital.  Her intense presence at various festivals in Greece, the recordings of discs with the works of Cypriots and Greek composers, the TV-movie making with transmission in various European countries and in the U.S.A., the cultural events in London, Malta and Greece and her recent recording of “Kallipatira” composed by Nikos Lekakis and Sophia Papazoglou………….the director Ioli Mousteri by taking advantage of the lengthy musical introduction of the opera, wanted to make a visual presentation of it by re-enacting the plot with characters and movements taken from “Commedia Del’ Arte”.  The very successful result of this effort is attributed to a great extent to the choreographer Viki Tsaggaridou Zepelikou and to the twelve participating actors and dancers.  The Cyprus State Orchestra conducted by Matsei Zoltovsky, constituted an excellent framework in supporting her……..and the choir, with sound fidelity, vivacity, correct and the appropriate style for the opera.

The cast of the solists, consisting of singers of different nationalities was led by the famous bass Peter Petrov at the role, the baritone Konstantino Yiannoudi as Malatesta, the tenor Ales Britsein, while the role of Norina was split between Ioli Mousteri and Alexandra Matthaoudaki.  The role of the notary public was performed by Iosif Iosifidis……………….Two choirs, one Cypriot and the other Czech conducted by Solonas Kladas, followed conscientiously and with discipline the composers parts.  As far as the stage scenery by Giorgos Papadopoulous are concerned, they were minimal, and operated successfully serving religiously the artistic framework of every scene.  Ioli Mousteri’s costumes added a successful note of elegance and imagination…………….."

SOPHIA PAPAZOGLOU (Pianist – Athens) “O FILELEPTHEROS”

“ATHENIAN OR LEMESSIAN DON PASQUALE”

"When coming out of the National Lyrical Stage of Athens in February, feeling aesthetically and musically satisfied by a beautiful performance of the comic opera of G. Donizetti, we would have never imagined that four months after that, the Lyrical Stage of Limassol, Cyprus, would give us the impression that we were seeing this work of art only for the first time in a performance that surpassed the ordinary.  The first pioneering thing was the relevance of the characters of the musical piece with “Commedia Del’ Arte” of the 16^th century…………..The introduction of the opera was invested with pantomime in a re-enacting of the plot of Don Pasquale that takes place 200 years after.

The movements, choreographed by Viki Tsaggaridou Zepelikou were light…….

Another pioneering thing was the projections of filmed scenes of the opera simultaneously with the happenings on stage that added vivacity to the performance.  The première of this work has left us charmed and wondering at the same time for the accomplishment of a private Lyrical Stage with 23 years of activity, that is approximately 1/3 of the 60 years of the National Lyrical Stage of Athens.  The Lyrical Stage of Limassol, Cyprus not only rose to the occasion but has also shown in an imaginative way, the difficult work that is not often performed.

The inventive directorship was made by the director and founder of the Lyrical Stage Ioli Mousteri, a dynamic soprano that we enjoyed at the lead role of Norina.  The cast of her co-actors was carefully selected such as the famous bass of the opera of Sofia, Peter Petrov ideal as Don Pasquale, the tenor Ales Bitsein of the opera of Prague, Alexandra Matthaioudaki solist of the Athens Lyrical Stage and the Cypriot baritone Konstantinos Yiannoudis who is famous in the U.S.A.

The State Orchestra of Cyprus responded in an extraordinary manner conducted by Matsei Zoltovsky.  Roberto Stivanello’s assistance as a co-ordinator was valuable …………………….

The imposing and impressive stage scenery of Yiorgos Papadopoulos was imposing and impressive, the lighting was impeccable as were the projections by Renos Demetriou, Panikos Petrides, V.H.Malian Associates and Styliani Demetriou.  The caricature of the notary public Iosif Iosifides was successful.  The performance of the Cyprus Choir, although short, was happy and vivid taught by Ioli Mousteri with the contributions of the Czech choirs conducted by Solonas Kladas………………."