Flute and clarinet recital at Bir Miftuh

The first concert to open this year's Bir Miftuh Music Festival, organised annually by Din l-Art Helwa will be a flute and clarinet recital by Stefanie and Franziska Hofmann.

It will take place on May 22 at 8 p.m. in the historic church of Santa Marija ta' Bir Miftuh, which provides a beautiful setting with its mediaeval frescoes and high arched ceiling that give it its perfect acoustics.

The concert is being sponsored by the German embassy and the German Maltese Circle.

Identical twins Stefanie and Franziska Hofmann have also a remarkably identical career. Born in 1983 in Rehau, Germany, both had their first lessons in their respective instrument in 1992. They took their first piano lessons in 1993 and in 1995 they won the Jugend Musiziert Competition at Federal level and in their own individual instrument.

They also came second in the same competition held two years later. Since 1997, Stefanie has been studying flute with Gunther Pohl while since 1998, Franziska has been studying clarinet with Johannes Peitz. The sisters have continued to win top prizes annually since then in the competition. They have performed together as a duo, separately as parts of duos with piano, as well as performed as soloists with various orchestras in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Cyprus.

Their programme comprises music by Caspar Kummer, Johann Sebastian Bach, Friedrich Kuhlau, Eugene Bozza, Igor Stravinsky and Heitor Villa Lobos.

Tickets at Lm7.50 per person may be obtained from Din l-Art Helwa, 133 Melita Street, Valletta, tel 2122 0358, 2122 5952.

Patrons are urged to book early as the number of seats is limited.

The church can be found by turning left after the roundabout before the airport on the way to Gudja.