Visuals of an arts festival

The arts are alive and kicking, judging by this year’s edition of the Malta Arts Festival, which ended with two sold out performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Friday.

This year’s edition saw a notable increase in audiences, Mario Frendo, the festival’s artistic director said, and most performances were sold out, enshrining the festival in the local calendar.

The festival was opened by British conductor Wayne ­Marshall directing the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, which set the ball rolling for other events.

The highlight of the festival was surely Theatre Anon’s Ospizio, which, after its six-night run still had people scrambling for tickets and demanding another run of the play.

Other bright stars included Carmine Lauri’s recital at the President’s Palace courtyard, the European Baroque Orchestra and Constance, by Julien Lestel’s ballet company.