The Bir Miftuħ International Music Festival is departing from its normal format this year and extending its venue to Valletta.

An organ recital by French organist Pierre Méa, made possible with the support of the French Embassy and the Alliance Francaise, will be held on June 18 at St John's Co-Cathedral, Valletta, courtesy of the cathedral's foundation.

The programme includes excerpts from Henry Purcell, Nicolas De Grigny, Johann-Sebastian Bach, Robert Schumann and Jehan Alain.

Mr Méa studied music in Reims under the tuition of famous organist Olivier Latry. He won several awards in national and international organ competitions and from prestigious institutions and became a laureate of the Yehudi Menuhin Foundation after having been substitute organist at Notre Dame de Paris for 11 years.

The regular organist at Reims cathedral, Mr Méa has given concerts with renowned orchestras like the Orchestre de Paris, the French National Orchestra and the Cappella of Saint Petersburg, under the direction of famous conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Leonard Slatkin and Vladislav Tchernouchenko.

He is professor of organ at the Conservatoire National de la region de Reims and lectures at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris.

The one-hour long concert starts at 7 p.m.

For information contact Din l-Art Ħelwa on 2122 0358/2122 5952 or call at 133, Melita Street, Valletta.