Legendary Queen guitarist Brian May will be performing in Malta on April 5, it was announced today as the government unveiled a series of events to mark important anniversaries this year.
May, author of some of Queen’s finest songs, will be performing with Kerry Ellis. The concert is expected to be staged in St George’s Square.
63 activities are being held to mark the 35th anniversary of Freedom Day, the 10th anniversary of EU membership, the 50th anniversary of Independence and the 40th anniversary of Republic Day.
They include a series of art exhibitions by Maltese artists, three major multimedia shows in Grand Harbour, Floriana and Valletta, the creation of four interactive installations marking each anniversary, a concert of classical music, a show by DJ Garath Emery (Ministry of Sound), a concert of ballet and other dance, a concert featuring Maltese bands, a production of the rock opera Gensna and a musical interpretation of the historic Kantilena.
There will be an event grouping all those born in those historic days.
A children's book on the events will be published and distributed in s chools. There will also be activities for migrants.
Heritage Malta will put up an exhibition with 100 items outlining Malta's history. Commemorative stamps will be issued.
The programme was announced by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, who underlined the importance of unity. He said it was an accident of history that four important anniversaries would converge on a single year, and Malta would use this occasion to move forward while recognising mistakes of the past, such as the fact that Independence was not celebrated by the government, and March 31 was given second status. The people's identity lay in the future, not the past, he said.
May is the author of classic Queen songs like We Will Rock You and Save Me apart from well-known solo songs like Too Much Love Will Kill You. Despite Freddie Mercury’s demise in 1991, May has carried on touring with drummer Roger Taylor and performed in high-profile events.
The, singer, songwriter and astrophysicist has released an album of acoustic songs with British singer Kerry Ellis. They are both involved in charity work with the Born Free Foundation.
In 2012, May was ranked the second greatest guitarist of all time by a Guitar World magazine readers poll.[7]