Eight concerts showcasing some of Malta’s most respected musicians will form the 8th edition of the International Spring Orchestra Festival.
Hosted every year in April, the festival is the brainchild of artistic director and Paris-based composer Karl Fiorini.
“The aim of the festival is not just to make good music but also to serve as a platform for young local talent,” Fiorini says. “The idea is also to create partnerships with the invited orchestras – having artistic exchanges that are not based simply on an invitation to perform. Soloists are, in turn, invited to perform Maltese compositions in the guest’s artist homeland.”
Speaking about the programme, Fiorini added: “There is a pool of local musicians that I want to work with, because I personally believe in their artistic capabilities and excellence. The same goes for the invited artists. The choice of programme has been conceived by all those involved.”
This year will see Lucia Micallef making a comeback on the Maltese concert platform. The festival has also established a new partnership agreement with the European Union Chamber Orchestra of UK, and will this year offer performances by Brian Schembri, Charlene Farrugia and Clare Ghigo who will all perform together with the Argotti Ensemble and Cosmos Wind Ensemble.
The Cosmos Wind Ensemble will kick off the festival with a programme of virtuosic and tongue-in-cheek works, some of which were created by local composers Veronique Vella, Albert Garzia and Ruben Zahra specifically for ensemble.
Mezzo-soprano Clare Ghigo will be teaming up with Charlene Farrugia for a rendition of works by de Falla, Obradors, Strauss, Kurt Weill and Reuben Pace, in a concert entitled Songs my mother taught me.
The Argotti string quartet – comprising Maria Conrad, Nemanja Ljubinkovic Aureliano Balducci, and Akos Kertesz – will be performing Korngold’s 2nd string quartet, Shostakovich’s Two pieces for string quartet and Ravel’s String Quartet in F major. A must for string quartet lovers.
The festival will come to an end with Lucia Micallef playing four Bach keyboard concertos featuring the European Union Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Malta’s most loved conductor, Brian Schembri.
The International Spring Orchestra Festival is taking place between April 22 and 26 at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta. Lunchtime concerts are at Sala Isouard.
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