Two-day summer festival at Waterfront

The May 13 concert of renowned Italian singer Amedeo Minghi, at the Valletta Waterfront, will be another highlight in Malta's calendar of international events that can no longer be described as "one-offs", Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said.

Amedeo Minghi gained popularity in Malta with the release of one of his greatest hits L'immenso back in 1976, and continued to grow with the release of more hits, which he composed.

The singer has performed for large audiences, including 25,000 guests at the Stadio Olimpico when it opened its gates for pop music for the first time.

He was meant to come to Malta back in the 1990s, but the concert had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. His performance has now been secured and he will be accompanied by his band and six Maltese string elements.

Local talent to be contracted as supporting acts for the concert has yet to be announced.

Organised by M & E Management Group, the Minghi concert comes hot on the heels of Marco Masini's performances on March 31 and April 1 and is part of a string of events that the marketing and entertainment consultancy company is working on.

The group, which has offices in Malta, the UK and the United Arab Emirates, was responsible for over 80 per cent of the shows and concerts performed in Malta by foreign celebrities, said its chief executive officer Massimo Ellul at a news conference.

M & E is also organising the Malta International Martial Arts Festival to be held tomorrow and on Sunday at the Cottonera Sports Complex in Cospicua from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Among its upcoming events is the Valletta Summer Festival, a two-day family activity, again at the Valletta Waterfront, on July 7 and 8. The festival will feature various renowned tribute bands, besides top local performers. M & E has also engaged Jessica Morlacchi, ex-leader of the Italian pop group Gazosa, together with her own band, as a guest artist.

Tickets for the Valletta Summer Festival will be available shortly and cost Lm9 for one show and Lm15 for both. Entrance is free for children under 12.

Tickets for the Amedeo Minghi concert cost Lm25 for the VIP area (seated), Lm20 (seated) and Lm13 (standing).

M & E is running a loyalty scheme under which anyone who presents a paid Marco Masini concert ticket to the administrative offices in Kappara gets a free ticket with every two purchased for Amedeo Minghi. Those that present a paid Masini or Minghi concert ticket will get a free ticket with every two purchased for the Valletta Summer Festival.

Tickets for Amedeo Minghi are available at Exotique Music Stores and Maltapost outlets in Malta and Gozo. Further information can be obtained on 2137 7771, while bookings can be made on ticket hotline 7901 3333, or via e-mail: [email protected].

www.maltaticket.com