Pianist Lyras brings 'fire and passion' to Mandel Hall

World-famous pianist Panayis Lyras will bring what the Los Angeles Times calls playing of "fire and passion and thunderous power" to Mandel Hall at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, when he joins the University Symphony Orchestra in concert. The performance, conducted by Music Director Barbara Schubert, is sponsored by the Department of Music.

Lyras will perform Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54. The orchestra will also perform Schumann's Manfred Overture and Sir Edward Elgar's Symphony No. 1 in A-flat major, Op. 55.

The silver medalist in the 1981 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and first-prize winner in the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition, Lyras has enraptured millions of listeners throughout the world with his commanding and exciting performances. He has given solo recitals at both the Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center and has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Boston Pops, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, the Capetown Symphony Orchestra and the Hong Kong Philharmonic, among others.

A native of Athens, Greece, Lyras received his bachelor's and master's of music degrees from The Juilliard School. He is currently Artist-in-Residence in Piano at Butler University's Jordan College of Fine Arts, and performs as a Steinway Artist, recording for Pantheon and Varese Sarabande.

Tickets prices are $10 for reserved seats, $6 for general admission and $4 for students. To purchase tickets, call 702-7300.