Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiThe sprawling Argotti Gardens in Floriana provided a magical backdrop to an ethereal and powerful performance by Malta’s national dance company Żfin Malta.
The group, choreographed by Mavin Khoo, gave two performances of Je Tiens La Riene – a contemporary adaptation of Mallarmé’s 1876 L’Après-midi d’un Faune and Debussy’s 1894 Prélude à L’Après-midi d’un Faune, yesterday and on Wednesday.
The piece was accompanied by Renzo Spiteri’s resonant composition and narrative adaptation by Giuliana Fenech.
In Je Tiens La Riene, a band of fauns are seduced by the allure and sensuality of Calypso and her nymph sisters, drawn to the border where the earth meets the sea.
The fauns behave recklessly and their actions cause chaos and disruption as the nymphs courageously try to protect their land and rituals.
Meanwhile, the goddess Venus appears to restore order and her divine power forces everyone to honour their destiny.
The performance formed part of the Malta International Arts Festival, which runs until July 28.