Andrea Bocelli to perform in Malta

World-famous tenor Andrea Bocelli is planned to wow a Maltese audience on December 16 when he takes to the stage with the 54-strong National Orchestra as part of the National Orchestra Concerto series.

The National Orchestra's general manager, Christopher Muscat, said the venue still had to be confirmed, but the organisers are considering the possibility of holding the event in a huge tent in Ta Qali, recently owned by Sign It. He added that other musicians might also play with the orchestra on the night.

When contacted, Sign It managing director Reuben Caruana stated that Mr Bocelli's concert will be held in the Ta' Qali tent, which can hold 10,000 people seated, or 22,000 standing.

Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said having an artist of such high calibre confirmed that the country was an event-oriented destination. He added that it was a great privilege that the National Orchestra would also be taking part.

Mr Bocelli's concert is just one event in a season packed with activities. For the third consecutive year, the orchestra will "go pop" in a bid to attract a younger audience.

National Orchestra chairman Lino Attard said during a press conference yesterday that the orchestra should be used as part of Malta's branding and become synonymous with the country.

He continued to say that the orchestral season 2006/2007 promises to be "very exciting, innovative and pleasant to the general public."

He also said that the orchestra would still continue to contribute to national festivities, including the Epiphany and Independence Day concerts, and fully support music education through its programmes. These programmes give around 150 schoolchildren the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the orchestra's instruments and the musicians.

Mr Attard also mentioned the need to increase the number of musicians, as well as to strengthen the managerial staff and have a marketing person.

Dr Zammit Dimech reacted by saying that the profile of the orchestra had increased in recent years, and audiences are expecting higher quality. He said that the government was committed to continuing its investment in the orchestra.

Concerts to commemorate the life and works of both local and foreign composers - Dmitri Shostakovich, Paolino Vassallo and Charles Camilleri - are in the pipeline as well as three concerts, organised jointly between the orchestra and the Manoel Theatre, which will be held in January, February and May.

Concert details can be downloaded from the orchestra's Website: www.maltaorchestra.com.