“STARLIGHT 3” by the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra

To welcome the New Year, the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra joins forces with two internationally acclaimed artists as part of the Starlight series, presenting “Starlight 3” on Friday, 16 January 2026, at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre (20:30).

Renowned soprano Miah Persson brings her penetrating interpretative artistry together with distinguished conductor Wolfram Christ – former Principal Viola of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

The programme opens with Fanny Mendelssohn’s vibrant Overture in C major, a radiant, finely crafted work that showcases her remarkable command of vibrant orchestral colour. The concert’s highlight are the two showcase moments for soprano Miah Persson: Mozart’s enchantingly lyrical ‘Deh vieni non tardar’ and Beethoven’s impressively poignant and powerful dramatic scena ‘Ah! Perfido’. The concert concludes with Beethoven’s spirited Symphony no. 8, a masterful blend of wit, clarity, and symphonic brilliance.

MIAH PERSSON soprano

Since her operatic debut as Susanna in Le nozze di Figaro in 1998, Swedish soprano Miah Persson has established herself as one of the foremost lyric sopranos of her generation. Widely regarded as a leading interpreter of Mozart, she has left an enduring mark on roles such as Susanna and the Contessa (Le nozze di Figaro), Zerlina and Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), and Fiordiligi (Così fan tutte), alongside acclaimed performances as Sophie (Der Rosenkavalier) and Poppe
a (L’incoronazione di Poppea). Having “added a burnish of gold to the silvery soprano that served her so well in Mozart roles” (
The Sunday Times), she is now recognised as “one of the most intelligent Strauss sopranos of our time” (Bachtrack).

Her 2025/26 season opens with Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni with the Budapest Festival Orchestra under Iván Fischer at Müpa Budapest and on tour to Vicenza and Baden-Baden. Concert highlights include Mahler’s Das klagende Lied with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with orchestras in Naples (Florida) and Ottawa, Strauss’s orchestrated songs in Denmark, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw.

Throughout her career, Persson has appeared at the world’s leading opera houses, including the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Teatro alla Scala, Wiener Staatsoper, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, and Bayerische Staatsoper. Her repertoire also includes Gretel (Hänsel und Gretel), Anne Trulove (The Rake’s Progress), and the Governess (The Turn of the Screw).

A highly sought-after concert and recital artist, she has collaborated with major international orchestras and appeared at venues such as Wigmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Wiener Konzerthaus, and the Concertgebouw. In 2011, she was appointed Hovsångerska (Court Singer) by H.M. the King of Sweden.
 
WOLFRAM CHRIST conductor

Long-time First Principal Viola of the Berlin Philharmonic, Principal Viola of the Lucerne Festival Orchestra, and Professor at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg, Wolfram Christ has enjoyed one of the most distinguished careers of his generation. Following an internationally celebrated career as a soloist, he is now equally esteemed as a conductor, admired for his sincerity, musical integrity, and refined artistry.

Praised for his exhilarating yet sensitive interpretations, Wolfram Christ has conducted orchestras on five continents. He works regularly with the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and has appeared with leading ensembles including the Munich and Scottish Chamber Orchestras, Royal Danish Orchestra, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Mozart of Bologna, Simón Bolívar Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Johannesburg Philharmonic, Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra, German Radio Philharmonic Saarbrücken, Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto, and Camerata Madrid. He has toured internationally with the English Chamber Orchestra and made his debut with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra in 2019.

From 2004 to 2008, Wolfram Christ served as Chief Conductor of the Kurpfalz Chamber Orchestra Mannheim, leading the ensemble through a period of significant artistic growth and international activity, and collaborating with outstanding soloists. He later held the position of Principal Guest Conductor of the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra (2009–2013), with highlights including appearances at the Schleswig-Holstein and Lucerne Festivals and a major South American tour.

His recording of C.P.E. Bach’s Hamburg Symphonies with the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, released by hänssler CLASSIC, received international acclaim and is widely regarded as a benchmark interpretation.

Since 2021, Wolfram Christ has developed a close artistic partnership with the Orchestra di Padova e del Veneto, culminating in his appointment as Conductor in Residence for the 2023–24 season. His work continues to bridge the worlds of solo performance and conducting at the highest level.
 
Gold Sponsor: Perestroika (Cyprus) Ltd

Tickets:
Available from the box office of the Nicosia Municipal Theatre (10:00 –13:00) and online at cyso.interticket.com (until 1.5 hours before the start of the concert).

Ticket Prices:
Zone A: €25 / €18
Zone B: €20 / €15
Zone C: €17 / €12

Reduced tickets are available for pupils, soldiers, students, pensioners, and members of large families (four or more children), upon presentation of valid ID.
Free admission for persons with disabilities.

Information: 22 463144 and www.cyso.org.cy