Tonight’s finale to the Malta Arts Festival, a concert by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra directed by international conductor Wayne Marshall, was sold out, the organisers said.

“We are very pleased with how this year’s edition of the Malta Arts Festival progressed over the past three weeks. In past editions, the tendency was for audiences to grow gradually over the three weeks. However, this year, we were having full houses from day one,” festival artistic director Mario Frendo said. Comments from audiences after the performances were positive, especially in respect to more experimental and daring performances.

This was proof that people wanted the challenge of the new, Mr Frendo said, adding this augured well for Malta’s cultural growth.

The concert will open with Maurice Ravel’s Bolero followed by Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and will feature soloist soprano Maureen Brathwaite, tenor David Allsopp, baritone Kevin Short, the St Monica Choir, the Pavillion Chamber Choir, Brighton and the Mirabitur Youth Choir.