Classical music brought to town squares... in a red Mini

A red Mini pulls up in the village square and out pop a group of people dressed in black who start singing popular opera tunes.

People start singing with them as others look on in surprise unaware the civilian singers are part of an act – the Mini Gig project aimed at showcasing local talent and promoting classical music.

The group of 12 classical singers will be touring Malta this month during half-hour mini gigs created by pianist Rosetta Debattista.

The main prop is an original red Mini, with musical notes painted all over it and bearing the logo of the Mini Gig project. Performers will make their way to Valletta, Żabbar, Marsascala, Sliema and Mdina and also to Mater Dei Hospital.

They will perform a collection of arias, duets and choruses from favourite operas, coached by Ms Debattista. And they will inject their performance with colour and entertainment through choreography directed by Denise Mulholland.

Apart from the 12 singers, the Saxophone Chamber Quartet will perform light classics and jazz.

“The intention of the project is twofold. To bring good classical music as close to the people in as many locations as possible and to offer the singers and saxophonists the opportunity to perform on several occasions, a practice quite rare on such a small island,” Ms Debattista said, adding she had been working on the project since April.

The 12 singers include sopranos Francesca Aquilina and Charlene Portelli; mezzos Clare Ghigo, Marvic Monreal and Krista Paris; tenors Cliff Zammit Stevens, Nick Agius Darmanin, Fabian Galea and Ross Wilson; and baritones Louis Cassar, Joseph Gatt and Victor Bonanno.

The saxophone quartet includes Philip Attard, Joseph Vella, Samuel Farrugia and Angelo Borg.

Mini Gig, sponsored by Dhalia, Bank of Valletta and Go plc, will run until August 22.

On Saturday, Mini Gig will be at Smart Supermarket in Birkirkara at 10 a.m. and at The Point in Tigné at 11 a.m. and again at 8.30 p.m. On Sunday the singers will visit the Attard square at 6.45 p.m. and Tower Road, Sliema, at 8 p.m.