Lisa Gwen Baldacchino
New premises for Malta Philharmonic Orchestra
The forthcoming season of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will hopefully see the allocation of new premises for the 70-plus piece orchestra.
This was announced at a press conference during the launch of the orchestra's 2008/2009 season. No details about the new premises were given.
After reviewing the season which has just drawn to an end, chairman Lino Attard said the past year marked an important development in the orchestra history.
After the orchestra celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi gave the go-ahead to increase the number of musicians in order for it to reach the level of a philharmonic orchestra.
Formerly known as the Manoel Theatre Orchestra, it launched its new identity last January, after 10 years as an independent entity.
Some of the more successful events and performances in the past year were the Joseph Calleja concert, the Movie Spectacular concert, the Pop fever concert and Nani's Requiem concert, to mention a few.
The 2008/2009 season kicks off on September 19 with a concert marking the 40th anniversary of the Central Bank of Malta, followed by the annual Independence concert at the Grandmaster's Palace courtyard in Valletta.
Other highlights include performances at the Aurora in Gozo for the La Boheme opera, the sixth edition of the Pop fever concert, four nights of the Bank of Valletta Opera Festival and a concert marking the 150th anniversary since the birth of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini.
Culture Minister Dolores Cristina said that besides about 25 concerts scheduled in the coming year, the orchestra will focus on strengthening its educational programme, giving thousands of children the opportunity to witness a live concert and learn about the instruments that make up an orchestra.
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andrew said
Sep 12th 2008, 15:31
Isn't it high time that there should be a professional national choir to work alongside the National Philharmonic Orchestra? Maybe Mr. Attard could let us have his views on the matter.
Charles Busuttil
Sep 12th 2008, 12:10
Culture Minister Dolores Cristina is quoted as saying that in the coming year, the orchestra will focus on strengthening its educational programme. This is to be praised. But how about Minister Cristina trying to reopen FM Bronia which did a lot, all year round, to increase culture in these islands. After all it only cost a pittance to run, compared to the millions of Euros squandered on 'projects' poorly done and executed.