MIDI plc on Friday evening hosted a spectacular concert at Fort Manoel for a number of distinguished guests. The world's first opera band, Amici Forever, performed a selection of numbers from their brand new album, which was released in Britain on Monday.
The concert was held following the successful launch of MIDI's Tigné Point redevelopment project, with practically all the apartments on Tigné South now having been sold.
Guests at the concert included Tourism Minister Dr Francis Zammit Dimech and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Dr Charles Mangion, who were both involved in the negotiations for the lease agreement of Tigné Point and Manoel Island to MIDI during successive administrations.
Other guests included shareholders, clients, bankers, real estate agents, newspaper and television editors, as well as representatives of several companies, which are closely involved with the MIDI project. These included Paolo Pininfarina from lead designers Pininfarina, and Professor Alex Torpiano from Architects and Lead Consultants, aoM Partnership.
"Following the overwhelmingly successful launch of the project, the board of directors thought it fit to hold an event to celebrate this success and to thank all those who, one way or another, have participated in its making," Albert Mizzi, chairman of MIDI, said during a brief address to the guests.
"To those present who have purchased property at Tigné Point, I, together with my colleagues on the board, will ensure your full satisfaction by delivering the highest quality throughout the entire project. Most properties, whether with a front or a side view on the South, will enjoy the magnificent vistas of the Valletta Bastions in a traffic and pollution free environment," Mr Mizzi continued.
Amici Forever is a unique band, made up of two female and three male singers, who were handpicked from across the globe for their exceptional voices and artistic virtuosity, have already caused a sensation with their performances at the Champions League Final as well as on a recent tour with legendary singer Shirley Bassey.
The group, made up of Jo Appleby, Nick Garrett and David Habbin from England, Tsakane Valentine from South Africa and Geoff Sewell from New Zealand, provided all those present with a magnificent evening of entertainment within the historic backdrop of Fort Manoel.
Their repertoire for the evening included well-known operatic arias and classical songs (including a rousing rendition of that Neapolitan favourite, Funiculì funiculà), and ended with an encore - an unusual version (involving all five voices) of the immortal Nessun dorma from Puccini's Turandot, and message of thanks - in Maltese - from Nick.
The concert - held against the splendid floodlit backdrop of the Valletta bastions on one side, and the equally impressive, although badly dilapidated, Fort Manoel and its chapel on the other - was followed by a lavish buffet reception under the marquee put up for the occasion. Entertainment was provided by the Versatile Brass Band.