Gypsy music for flute and piano will be performed at the Sagrestia Vault, Valletta Waterfront, on March 18.

Entitled ‘Gypsy flute’, the concert will feature Silvio Zammit (flute) and his wife Ramona (piano) who will perform vibrant and passionate gypsy and Hungarian music. The programme includes works by Liszt, Bartok and Monti.

Gypsy music was created by the Romani people who originated around 1,000 years ago, from northern India, and today live all over Europe.

Typically nomadic, the Romani people have earned their living as wandering entertainers and traders. Along the wide distances, the travellers were introduced to a multitude of influences: Greek,Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Czech, Romanian, Slavic, German, French and Spanish musical forms.

The Spanish flamenco is also, to a large extent, the music of the Romani people in Andalusia. In eastern Europe, Romani music developed its own style, drawing more inspirations from the locality and it became popular inentertainment venues.

Gradually this music became more sophisticated and gypsy music became fashionable in Budapest and Vienna.

The style and performance practices of the Romani influenced the works of European composers like Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms, who then incorporated this influence in their compositions.

To book tickets at €12 (€10 concessions), call 7968 0952 or e-mail bookings@baroccomalta.com.

The concert is followed by refreshments. Transport is also available.