Renzo Spiteri, Alex Papagiorcopulo and Peter Grech playing Nirvana’s favourite songs. Photos: david ‘dp’ attard

Against a backdrop of soft-glowing lanterns, the Manoel Theatre took on a magical feel this weekend as musicians strummed a soulful rendition of Let Her Go.

The Passenger song, which talks about “Only know you love her when you let her go/And you let her go” was a favourite of Nirvana Caviola Azzopardi – one of the founders of Teatru Unplugged.

Nirvana, the television personality who lost her battle against breast cancer in October, did not make it to the 16th edition of the event but her spirit was very much alive throughout the three evenings at the Manoel.

Together with Jonathan Shaw, her co-founder, she had launched Teatru Unplugged in 1998.

It has since become an annual fixture on the national cultural calendar, seeking to bring together established and upcoming artists with engaging live music in a selection of rock, pop and classic tunes.

This week was not the same without you

The audience at this year’s GO Teatru Unplugged enjoyed a captivating line-up of performers including Gianluca Bezzina, Rachel Fabri, The Crowns, Stalko, Chris Grech, Raquela and Red Electrick.

However, towards the end of the programme, Mr Shaw – who this year produced it on his own – paid tribute to his long-time friend.

“We felt we had to give her a tribute with a personal feeling. I didn’t want to commercialise the tribute, so it was very subtle,” he said.

The stage was set with a simple vase and a sunflower – Nirvana’s trademark flower.

Then Mr Shaw did what he has not done in 16 years: he took to the stage and sat next to percussionist Renzo Spiteri to read out a verse in time to the beat of the hang – a special percussion instrument.

In his touching musical interlude, Mr Shaw described Nirvana as “a classic with a twist”.

He recalled a particular conversation they had back in 1998.

“We were 25/Imagine Teatru Unplugged 20/You once told me/We will be 45/…imagine/Teatru Unplugged is 16/This week was not the same without you.”

His tribute was followed by Peter Grech’s and Alex Papagiorcopulo’s rendition of Let Her Go by Passenger and Drops of Jupiter by Train – both Nirvana’s favourites.

A little booklet with Nirvana’s last letter read out at her funeral – which was loaded with positive messages – was handed out to all members of the audience and €3,000 was collected for the Hospice Movement.

“It was a very nice gesture on the part of the audience and we went for the Hospice Movement because Nirvana and her family had a lot of support from them,” said Mr Shaw.

He said Teatru Unplugged will keep contributing to the hospice in the years to come.

His aim is to keep her name alive and he wrapped it up in his interlude:

“Niri, you are not here today but Teatru Unplugged will stay with your energy and name.”