The Cyprus Symphony Orchestra was established in 1987 as Cyprus State Chamber Orchestra by decision of the Council of Ministers. Since 2007 it is under the management of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra Foundation.
As the only professional symphony orchestra in Cyprus today, the CySO has evolved rapidly during the new millennium into a modern, dynamic orchestra with a strong presence in the musical life of the island. At the same time, it is a national symbol that represents Cyprus in Europe and beyond.
Constantly striving for artistic excellence and involvement with the community, the CySO puts on innovative artistic programmes, hosts artists of international standing, promotes Cyprus music creation and artists and collaborates with state and private institutions. At the same time, the Orchestra has toured numerous times abroad (Greece, Germany, Denmark, Bulgaria, France, Malta, U.K., Serbia) and further fosters its international profile by organizing international competitions and masterclasses. The Orchestra is in itself a living symbol of multiculturalism, since its 39 members come from 15 different countries.
An orchestra for all Cypriots, the CySO presents around 25-30 different programmes, which amount to around 60 concerts annually, in all cities of Cyprus. Its constantly expanding and loyal audience enjoys a variety of musical genres, comprising classical and contemporary symphonic repertoire, opera, musicals, crossover, popular genres and many more.
Outstanding Cypriot and foreign conductors have collaborated with the CySO such as Vladimir Ashkenazy, Douglas Boyd, Wolfram Christ, Esa Heikkila, Carlos Kalmar, Doron Salomon Manuel Hernadez Silva, Ayis Ioannides, Lukas Karytinos, Miltos Logiadis, Marios Papadopoulos, as well as soloists including Stefan Dohr, Placido Domingo, Anna Fedorova, Pacho Flores, Viktoria Mullova, Sergei Nakariakov, Roman Simovic, Camilla Tilling, Dimitra Theodossiou, Cyprien Katsaris, Nicolas Costantinou, Manolis Neophytou, Kyros Patsalides, Dimitris Sgouros and Martino Tirimo, amongst others.
The first Artistic Director of the CySO was Ayis Ioannides, followed by Roland Melia, Maciej Zoltowski, Spiros Pisinos, Peter Kovacs, Alkis Baltas, Jens Georg Bachmann, Nicolas Papageorgiou and Günter Neuhold.
Since January 2026, the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra is Myron Michailidis.