Following last year’s success, The National Orchestra will inaugurate the Malta Arts Festival – Summer 2006. The programme entitled “The National Orchestra Goes Pop with Vodafone”, under the musical direction of Sigmund Mifsud, will be performed on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July 2006 at 9.00pm at the Old Opera House, Valletta.
Organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts (MCCA), the Malta Arts Festival – Summer 2006 is sponsored by HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c., The Valletta Local Council, The Westin Dragonara Resort and Bank of Valletta plc.
Sigmund Mifsud has carefully selected a programme of popular orchestral works which will bring to life the Old Opera House with the sounds of musical arrangements. Backed by an entire forty piece symphony orchestra, that will team up with an extra set of saxophones, a whole rhythm section which includes lead and bass guitar, piano, keyboard, drum kit, auxiliary percussions and extra bass, “The National Orchestra Goes Pop with Vodafone” will feature both established and young Maltese talent.
“The nature of the spectacle promises to attract a wide spectrum of audiences. This is an opportunity for music lovers to experience a high quality popular music concert – an all Maltese talent. Without unveiling extra detail, the night will touch rock music, jazz, latin and other music genres – an experiment which will undoubtedly be well received,” exclaimed Sigmund Mifsud.
Guest singers will include Chiara with her sublime and profound voice who will interpret songs by Christina Aguilera; Ivan Grech of Winter Moods with songs by the legendary band U2 and actress singer Pia Zammit will perform popular standard numbers from the Swing era.
“The National Orchestra Goes Pop with Vodafone” will also act as a platform for two new artists: singer Tara, a graduate from the Musical Theatre and The Arts Educational Schools London and now pursuing a solo career in the UK; and composer Alexander Vella Gregory, fresh from Napier University, Edinburgh, with an original piece specifically written for this occasion.
The concert is sponsored by Vodafone, Orienta, Gucci Envy me 2, XFM 100.2, Hotel Kennedy Nova, Music Link and Ikona Artworks and it will be presented by Giselle Calleja and Chyrsander Agius (Sander).
Early booking is recommended to secure seats for this exciting performance. Tickets are priced at Lm6 and Lm8 and are available from Vodafone Retail Outlets in Valletta, Poala, Birkirkara By-Pass, and Gozo, as well as from Orienta in Paola, Music Link in B’Kara, and Hotel Kennedy Nova in Sliema. Ticket Hotline 99515151
Tickets are also available from Malta Arts Festival Information Stand, Freedom Square, Valletta. Opening hours are on weekdays from 08.30 to 13.00hrs, and weekends from 10.00 to 13.00hrs. As from 28th July the opening hours will be: weekdays 08.30 to 13.00hrs and 17.00 to 21.30hrs, and weekends from 10.00 to 13.00hrs and 17.00 to 21.30hrs. One may also call on the Malta Arts Festival hotline 9999 0145.
Photo © Darrin Zammit Lupi
First published on 10th July 2006 by The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts.