National Orchestra goes pop

The National Orchestra will inaugurate the Malta Arts Festival - Summer 2006 with a programme entitled The National Orchestra Goes Pop With Vodafone on July 29 and 30.

The performance will be held on the site of the old opera house in Valletta at 9 p.m. on both days.

Organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts (MCCA), the Malta Arts Festival - Summer 2006 is sponsored by HSBC Bank Malta plc, Valletta local council, the Westin Dragonara Resort and Bank of Valletta.

Sigmund Mifsud, who is responsible for musical direction, selected a programme of popular orchestral works which will bring to life the old opera house with the sounds of musical arrangements. Backed by a 40-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 giving away any extra detail, the night will touch rock music, jazz, latin and other music genres - an experiment which will undoubtedly be well received," Mr Mifsud said.

The National Orchestra Goes Pop With Vodafone will also act as a platform for two new artistes: 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 the occasion.

The concert is sponsored by Vodafone, Orienta, Gucci Envy me 2, XFM 100.2, Hotel Kennedy Nova, Music Link and Ikona Artworks and will be presented by Giselle Calleja and Chyrsander Agius (Sander).

Tickets are priced at Lm6 and Lm8 and are available from Vodafone retail outlets in Valletta, Paola, Birkirkara bypass, and Gozo, as well as from Orienta, in Paola, Music Link, in Birkirkara, and Hotel Kennedy Nova, in Sliema. Ticket hotline is 99515151.

Tickets are also available from the Malta Arts Festival's information stand, Freedom Square, Valletta. One can also call on the Malta Arts Festival hotline 9999 0145.

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