Bocelli concert preparations gather momentum

As December 16 draws nearer, rehearsals for Andrea Bocelli's much-awaited concert gather momentum.

Having finalised the programme for the concert in collaboration with the organisers RPL Ltd, the Italian singer's conductor, Carlo Bernini, has been discussing the music arrangements and rehearsing with soprano Lydia Caruana and with the National Orchestra, which will be accompanying Andrea Bocelli.

The programme for the concert includes a pleasant mix of classic and contemporary music and will comprise arias from Verdi and Puccini as well as come of the more popular compositions, well loved by the local public such as his international hits Time To Say Goodbye and Because We Believe.

RPL directors Anton Tabone and Amabile Zammit have expressed their satisfaction at the professional way in which things are unfolding. "The excitement and anticipation seems to be intensifying with the nearing of the concert date. This increases our determination and that of Andrea Bocelli's own technical crew, to produce the best possible concert. The concert is a perfect prospect for the approaching Christmas season," they said.

Andrea Bocelli will be travelling to Malta from New York where he will be performing at the renowned Madison Square Garden to an audience expected to consists of some 25,000 people. He will fly to Malta on a private jet on the day of the concert.

RPL Ltd have confirmed that sales demands in all areas of the auditorium have exceeded all expectations and those wishing to attend the concert would do well to purchase their tickets as soon as possible in order to avoid disappointment.

Tickets for the concert, to be held at the Malta Convention Centre, Ta' Qali, are available from www.maltaticket.com, all Maltapost branches and Exotique outlets. Ticket prices are Lm20, Lm35 and Lm50. Also on sale are a select number of tickets of Lm100 from Diamonds International, in Valletta and Luxe Pavillion, Portomaso which will include an after concert dinner at the Hilton Hotel in the presence of Andrea Bocelli together with reserved parking facilities at the concert venue and at the Portomaso car park.

All tickets for the concert are seated.

The concert is sponsored by HSBC Bank (Malta), Malta International Airport (MIA), the Maltacom Group and Hilton (Malta). Other supporting sponsors include Coca-Cola, the Malta Tourism Authority, Diamonds International and Air Malta.