Minghi 'looking forward' to sing in Malta

Italian singer Amedeo Minghi is eager to feel the vibes of a Maltese audience when he performs at the Valletta Waterfront on May 13, almost 12 years after his concert was cancelled due to a port strike.

Mro Minghi, who started his career as a musician, singer and song-writer 40 years ago, told The Times in a phone interview yesterday he is busy preparing for the show which will form part of a tour starting in Italy at the beginning of May.

"I am looking forward to sing in Malta," he said, recounting very accurately the events that had led to the cancellation of his first concert due in Malta on July 23, 1994.

A week-long strike ordered by the General Workers' Union due to a litigation with the Transport Ministry had paralysed the ports. The action was called off a day before the concert. But the singer and his group had already stopped preparations knowing that their container with stage equipment would not have been unloaded on time.

Since then, Mro Minghi never came to Malta, not even on a private visit. "I wish to establish an exchange with the audience during the concert. That is the best measure of the success of a performance.

"My music has always evolved. Yet, it has always been rooted in the Italian tradition. Artists should not change according to the times. Instead they must precede events and eras," Mro Minghi said.

Mro Minghi said music was a universal language equally understood by people of different nations and of different generations.

Local following started in 1976 with the release of his album L' Immenso along with other hits he composed including 1950, St Michel, Quando L'Estate Verrà, Sognami, Emanuela E Io, Cuore Di Pace and Ladri Di Sole.

On April 28, Mro Minghi will issue a collection of 48 songs in three CDs. On May 5, in Turin, the singer will present his first book called L'ascolteranno gli americani, written to commemorate his 40-year-long career.

Mro Minghi's Malta concert is being organised by M&E Management Group. Supporting artists for the concert are Ivan Filletti and J. Anvil.

The promoters announced that tickets - Lm25 for VIP, Lm20 seated and Lm13 standing - may be bought from hotline 7901 3333 or via e-mail on megroup@waldonet.net.mt.