Nothing marks the arrival of Christmas more than the annual festive concerts of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra. For years now, the Orchestra has been dedicating its December shows to the very best of classical music and the season’s favourite compositions. Think Tchaikovsky’s magical Nutcracker Suite and timeless Christmas carols. In just a few weeks, the musicians of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra will take the stage once more to perform beloved festive tunes in a show suitable for all ages.

“Christmas is all about people’s hearts opening to joy, love, hope and childlike wonder,” says the Orchestra. “The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Petros Stylianou, will put you into this festive mood with beloved works from the world of ballet and Christmas melodies.”

The first Christmas concert will take place on Tuesday 20 at Pattihio Municipal Theatre, Limassol, followed by a performance on the following evening at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre and finally the series will come to an end at Larnaca’s Municipal Theatre G. Lycourgos on Thursday 22.

The first part of the concert will feature Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, one of the quintessential musical expressions of the Christmas spirit, as well as Delibes’ spirited Prelude and Mazurka from Coppélia Suite.

The second part of the concert will start off with Leroy Anderson’s Christmas Festival that uses the themes of nine popular Christmas carols and songs. It will continue with an uplifting selection of orchestrated Christmas Jazz classics featuring the amazing, well-established jazz trio Ioanna Troullidou (voice), Charis Ioannou (saxophone) and Μarios Toumbas (piano).

Christmas Concerts

The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra presents Christmas concerts. December 20. Pattihio Municipal Theatre, Limassol. December 21. Nicosia Municipal Theatre, Nicosia. December 22. Municipal Theatre G. Lycourgos, Larnaca. 8.30pm. www.cyso.org.cy