Concert musicians, actors, a dancer and a narrator will be teaming up to produce one of Stravinsky’s masterpieces – The Soldier’s Tale (L’Histoire du Soldat) at the Sir Robert Samut Hall, Floriana, at the end of the month.

The event is meant to target older children and teenagers (ages nine to 15) and will be performed several times to groups from schools. There will be three extra performances for the public on Saturday at 4 and 6.30 p.m. and January 28 at 7.30 p.m.

L’Histoire du Soldat is scored for seven musicians (violin, double bass, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, trombone and percussion), two actors, a dancer and a narrator and is based on a Russian folk tale about a violin-playing soldier and his meeting with the devil.

It is an engaging work in which Stravinsky meant to combine different artistic forms – music, theatre, dance and visual arts. Stravinsky composed the piece in 1918 and its music – lean, witty and jazzy – reflects the time in which it was written.

L’Histoire du Soldat is often performed, against the composer’s original wishes, as a purely musical work.

The MPO musicians, under the baton of resident conductor Michael Laus, are joined by actors Paul Portelli as the Soldier, Charlotte Stafrace as the Devil, and dancer Marisha Bonnici as the princess.

Set design is by Pierre Portelli, well-known for his contemporary installation works.

The production and narration of the story is by Sarah Spiteri who has produced and presented a number of performances for children, namely The Magic Flute for Kids, the Carnival of Animals, The Story of Babar the Elephant and most recently Music and Story Telling with Winnie the Pooh and Tramuntana and the Wild Rider.

Tickets are priced €3.50 for children, €5 for adults and €10 for a family ticket of two adults and two children. Booking is open at St James Cavalier or online at www.sjcav.org.