It’s been 55 years since American composer Leonard Bernstein composed The West Side Story, one of his most famous musicals. To mark the occasion, a Bernstein and More evening is being organised at the courtyard of the Palazzo de Piro Cultural Centre, Mdina, on Wednesday at 8.30 p.m.

The concert will highlight some of the composer’s more famous songs such as Tonight and Somewhere from the celebrated West Side Story, among other compositions that helped make Bernstein one of the most famous of his time.

The evening will include the participation of soprano Marita Bezzina, harpist Jacob Portelli and cellist Gilmour Peplow (pictured).

The sparkling voice, harp and cello trio will give an appropriate tribute to the composer while providing an evening of entertainment.

Bernstein was an American composer born in Massachusetts in 1918, a modern composer who claimed world-wide fame. Besides composing, he was also a conductor, author, music lecturer and pianist. He is described by The New York Times as “one of the most prodigiously talented and successful musicians in American history”.

Throughout his career Bernstein spent a long tenure as music director of the prestigious New York Philharmonic, conducting concerts with most of the world’s leading orchestras while composing musicals that would become classics, such as the West Side Story, Candide, Wonderful Town, On the Town and his own Mass.

Bernstein was also the first conductor to give numerous TV lectures on classical music. He was a skilled pianist.

Tickets (including dinner) are available at €75 by sending an e-mail to bookings@baroccomalta.com, by calling 7968 0952 or 2145 0560.