Minthis Music Festival 2026

Before looking back at the individual evenings, it is important to acknowledge the people and partners who made this festival possible. Artistic Director Massimo Giordano, the internationally acclaimed Italian tenor, curated a programme that reflected both the growing ambition and the international character of Minthis Music Festival 2026. His artistic vision brought together an exceptional line‑up spanning contemporary classical, Chopin, innovative string quartet, grand opera and sophisticated jazz – five evenings, each with its own distinct musical world.

A heartfelt thank you also goes to Ester Kandinova, whose commitment and organisational dedication were instrumental in turning this ambitious concept into a seamless reality on stage and behind the scenes. 

The festival was held under the patronage of Pafilia, whose long‑term investment in Minthis and in cultural initiatives like the festival has helped position this unique resort as a meeting point for lifestyle, nature and the arts. Their support, together with the wider Minthis team, allowed the amphitheatre to host performers who usually appear on some of the world’s most prestigious stages.

Each evening at Minthis Music Festival 2026 felt like stepping into a different musical universe, while the amphitheatre and the surrounding landscape remained the constant frame.

Night One: Cinematic Opening with Florian Christl

The festival opened on 8 July with German composer and pianist Florian Christl, whose evocative, cinematic compositions have been captivating audiences across Europe. Joined by his ensemble and award‑winning violinist Niklas Liepe, he filled the amphitheatre with music that felt both intimate and expansive, perfectly matched to the wide views over the Paphos wine region.

As the last light faded behind the hills, Christl’s sweeping harmonies and Liepe’s expressive violin lines created an almost film‑like atmosphere. It was an opening night that set the tone for the entire festival: elegant, emotional and deeply atmospheric.

Night Two: Chopin Under the Stars with Jeneba Kanneh‑Mason

On 9 July, the focus shifted to the piano – and to Chopin. Rising British star Jeneba Kanneh‑Mason offered a recital dedicated to the Polish composer, bringing together technical brilliance with remarkable sensitivity and maturity. Her performance highlighted not only the virtuosity required for Chopin, but also the poetry, emotional intelligence and quiet inwardness that his works demand.

In the open air of the amphitheatre, surrounded by the scents of Mediterranean vegetation and the gentle evening breeze, the familiar Chopin melodies took on a new dimension. The combination of moonlit sky, stone architecture and finely shaded pianissimo moments turned this night into one of intimacy and timeless elegance.

Night Three: Vision String Quartet – Energy and Innovation

The third evening welcomed Vision String Quartet, an ensemble known for redefining the boundaries of chamber music with their bold, genre‑crossing approach. Their performance on 10 July brought a completely different energy to the Minthis stage: fresh, electrifying and modern, while still rooted in classical tradition.

With a programme that bridged classical repertoire and contemporary expression, Vision String Quartet connected effortlessly with a diverse audience, including many listeners who might not normally attend a traditional string quartet concert. The amphitheatre, which had seemed contemplative the previous evening, became a space of rhythm, intensity and spontaneous applause.

Night Four: Operatic Depth with Günther Groissböck

On 11 July, opera took the spotlight. Internationally celebrated Austrian bass‑baritone Günther Groissböck, a regular on the stages of the Vienna State Opera and the Metropolitan Opera, brought extraordinary vocal presence to Minthis. Accompanied by La Scala pianist Nelson Calzi, he presented an evening of operatic arias and songs that combined dramatic depth with finely carved musical details.

Hearing this calibre of operatic voice in an open‑air amphitheatre overlooking the valleys of rural Paphos was a defining moment of the festival. The natural acoustics of the stone structure carried every nuance, from the most delicate phrase to the full power of Groissböck’s bass‑baritone, creating a sense of closeness between artist and audience that is rare even in the great opera houses.

Night Five: A Jazz Finale with Claire Martin

The festival concluded on 12 July with a shift into the world of jazz, led by acclaimed British vocalist Claire Martin. One of the most celebrated voices in British jazz, with an award‑winning discography and multiple British Jazz Awards to her name, she brought warmth, elegance and effortless swing to the Minthis stage.

Together with her ensemble, Claire Martin created an atmosphere that felt both sophisticated and relaxed – the perfect finale beneath the summer sky. As the last notes faded and the lights of the amphitheatre softened, there was a tangible sense of celebration in the air: five nights, five worlds, one coherent festival identity.

Part of what makes Minthis Music Festival so special is its setting. The amphitheatre is nestled among trees and landscaped gardens, with panoramic views over the Paphos wine‑producing region and the valleys below. As daylight slowly gives way to evening, the stone seating and minimalist architecture are bathed in warm light, creating an almost theatrical frame for the performances even before the musicians take the stage.

The open sky above becomes a silent partner in each concert: clouds drifting past during the opening pieces, a deep blue canopy for the central works, and finally a star‑lit backdrop as the encores arrive. Combined with the relaxed yet elegant ambience of Minthis Resort, it is easy to understand why the festival is rapidly becoming one of the cultural highlights of the Cypriot summer.

This is also what makes the festival particularly attractive for remote workers and digital nomads spending time in Cyprus: it offers the chance to transition from a productive day behind the laptop in our Workation.Hub to a world‑class music experience in less than an hour’s drive from many coastal hubs.