On Saturday, Tarxien Temples, a Unesco World Heritage site, will be turned into a unique setting for a musical evening organised by Heritage Malta in collaboration with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO). 

The event forms part of a series of activities taking place during European Archaeology Days from June 14 to 16 at museums and heritage sites across European cities .

The evening will feature the MPO String Quartet, formed by  members of the orchestra. The programme presents well-known classics from different musical genres while featuring a number of operatic arias. For half a century, the MPO has been Malta’s leading musical ensemble and today is the island’s only professional orchestra. It performs an average of more than one concert a week, including symphonic concerts, opera productions in Malta and Gozo, community outreach and educational initiatives, as well as various concerts of a lighter nature. 

The orchestra has performed in leading venues across the globe, including in the US, Russia, Germany, Austria, China, Italy, and Belgium. It embarks on at least one international tour each concert season.

A keen exponent of Maltese composers, the MPO is also responsible for the training and professional development of the next generation of Maltese musicians, through the MPO Academy and Malta Youth Orchestra. 

Patrons can choose to attend the concert either at 8pm as the sun is setting, or at 9.30pm to enjoy music under the stars. A glass of wine will be served during the event, which lasts 40 minutes. Ticket holders are advised to be on site 15 minutes before the performance is due to start. Tickets, costing €15 per person, or €10 for Heritage Malta members, are available on a first-come, first-served basis from all Heritage Malta museums and sites. For details, visit www.heritagemalta.org.