[attach id=549709 size="medium"]An instrument restored by Charles Busuttil, guest speaker at tonight’s Art Discussion Group meeting.[/attach]

The next Art Discussion Group meeting is being held today in Qrendi with Charles Busuttil as guest speaker.

Busuttil is a specialist involved in restoring fine instruments ranging from antique and rare violins to mandolins, banjos, guitars and other string instruments. He will discuss one of his latest restoration jobs on a lute and will give a presentation about the importance of music as an enjoyable art for young children in helping them cope with problems like bullying, low self-esteem and grief.

Busuttil started out in 1992 when he indulged in his part-time hobby of repairing and setting guitars.  His father soon joined in and eventually became a respected luthier. Together, they attended restoration workshops in Germany and Italy and over the years restored some fine instruments.

While the bulk of Busuttil’s work involves repairs, he has restored some rare and important instruments over the years, including a violin by renowned Italian luthier Giuseppe Guarneri, dating from 1714. The painstaking restoration took him and his father two years to complete. “When we heard it played for the first time we cried, it was such a beautiful sound,” Busuttil says.

Busuttil’s bottega is well-known among musicians in Malta and beyond, with Bryan Adams, Jethro Tull, Zucchero, Tom Jones, Ronan Keating, Michael Bolton and Riccardo Cocciante just some of the many international stars who have sought his services while visiting the island. He also receives instruments from collectors as far away as the UK and the US.

During the meeting, he will answer questions from the floor regarding his approach and technique in restoration. He will also elaborate about his career and the unique tasks that gave him great satisfaction.

■ The meeting is being held today at 7.30pm at St Mary Band Club in Qrendi, near the parish church. For more information, visit www.adgmalta.webs.com.