Two concerts will take place today and tomorrow as part of the Malta International Organ Festival.
Today’s event is an organ and voice recital taking place in Balzan with the participation of Marco D’Avola on organ, soprano Silvia Di Falco and baritone Joseph Lia. The programme includes pieces by Bach, Gounod, Schubert, D’Avola, Fenech, Caccini, Mascagni, Verdi, Lorenc, Uibo and Mozart. It is being held at the Annunciation parish church in Balzan at 7.15pm.
D’Avola (1959) is a Sicilian composer, organist and pianist. He has given a lot of recitals in Europe, Russia and the US. He has written a considerable number of symphonic, choral and instrumental works. D’Avola is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists in London and Honorary Inspector of the Region of Sicily for the safeguarding of historical organs.
Soprano Di Falco began her studies with Valentina Reuszkaia. Following her studies, she is now followed by tenor William Matteuzzi. She has performed in various countries and also premiered pieces by contemporary Italian composers. She debuted in the role of Adina in the opera L’elisir d’amore at the Teatro dell’Opera di Milano and won the audience award at the VI International Competition Voices “Carlos Gomes” for opera and operetta in Turin.
Lia graduated in music from the University of Malta. Supported by the Janatha Stubbs Foundation, he furthered his vocal training at the famous St Petersburg State Conservatoire under the tuition of Sergei Riazantsev, where he obtained a Master’s degree in chamber singing, opera singing, and voice pedagogy. He is fast making a name for himself, winning competitions both in Russia and Finland and taking part in opera productions in Italy, Russia and his native Malta. Lia is the artistic director of the festival.
Tomorrow morning sees organist Dion Buhagiar performing improvisations on sacred themes at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta at 10.15am.
Buhagiar studied music professionally at the Royal College of Music in London where he graduated with an ARCM in organ, the first Maltese to do so. A PhD graduate, he is now a professor of music and was active at the University of Malta for over 30 years and head of the Music Studies Programme for more than 15 years. He is currently the Maestro di Cappella of St Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina and St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta where he is also the principal organist.
Buhagiar has composed a large number of liturgical works for the innumerable services held at the two cathedrals, including Masses, psalms, motets, Te Deum and whole sets of vespers. He has also composed four large-scale oratorios. His latest accomplishment was the composition of the opera Il-Ħarsa ta’ Rużann based on a play by eminent Maltese playwright Francis Ebejer.
■ Entrance to both events is free. The festival runs until December 9 with concerts taking place in various cathedrals, basilicas and churches across the Maltese islands. Full program details can be obtained from www.MaltaInternationalOrganFestival.com. This space will cover the individual concerts on the day.