Six young musicians will be on stage for one night as soloists with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. This invaluable platform presents audiences with tomorrow’s new stars. Alex Vella Gregory finds out what they are thinking…

Laura Cioffi

Age: 18
Town: Żurrieq
Instrument: Flute
Alternative career: Translation or accountancy

Laura Cioffi is currently studying in Edinburgh, and is enjoying it immensely. As much as she misses her family and friends, she admits that Scotland has been very welcoming. The country has an intense musical scene, what with the Usher Hall, church concerts, and jazz bars. She is committed not only to music, but also to redressing the gender imbalance in music. Naturally, she is rather nervous about facing an orchestra with just a flute and perform-ing from memory. She will be performing the Concertino by Cecile Chaminade, one of the few female composers who managed to overcome the gender bias in the early 20th century, and even win the Legion d’Honneur.

Marvic Monreal

Age: 20
Town: Żabbar
Instrument: Voice (soprano)
Alternative Career: Tourism industry

When someone quotes Gotterdämerung as their favourite opera, you know they are not bluffing about their love of opera. For Marvic Monreal, opera is pure drama enhanced by music, and she wants everyone to be part of that drama. Of course, it’s no use bemoaning the decline of opera and then doing nothing about it, which is why she joined Mini-Gig. The concept was simple; a group of young musicians on board a Mini Minor, singing opera all around Malta. And just in case you are wondering, singing opera is not really all about having the right dress. It takes a lot of training and dedication… although a good dress always helps!

Arienne Gaerty

Age: 27
Town: Rabat
Instrument: Voice (soprano)
Alternative Career: Executive search consultant (recruitment)

“Opera singers are passionate people, so they are entitled to some drama every once in a while,” says Arienne Gaerty. Well, when you are singing an aria in Czech, you are definitely entitled to some drama! But Gaerty will not accept translations, for she believes that a composer’s choice of language is deliberate. And it is not just about the right pronunciation either, but about the meaning of the words and the interpretation of the music. And even if we have made huge technological advances, nothing beats the magic that only a live performance can give.

Maria Zahra

Age: 28
Town: Sta Luċija
Instrument: Bassoon
Alternative career: Kindergarten teacher

People may think she plays the ‘vażun’, and that she uses it to fish since her instrument uses a ‘qasba’, but nothing will stop Maria Zahra from playing her instrument. Few people know the hard work that goes into maintaining such an instrument, not to mention the odd looks Maria gets at airports when carrying it around. But then again, few people know the beautiful sound this instrument produces. She may get a bit nervous prior to a performance, but with a good warm-up and a few moments of silence, Zahra will surely convert you into an avid fan of this unusual instrument.

Philip Attard

Age: 19
Town: Xagħra, Gozo
Instrument: Saxophone
Alternative career: IT and computing

For most people it is very hard to associate the saxophone with classical music. Invented by Adolph Sax in the 19th century, this instrument has a lot of unknown repertoire that Philip Attard wants to promote. He will be performing Glazunov’s Saxophone Concerto, one of the more famous classical pieces for the instrument. It was the saxophone’s mixture of masculine and feminine qualities that made it appealing to him, and despite the lure of jazz ever present, Philip Attard has always been a keen ambassador of the classical saxophone. Well, all this hasn’t stopped him from chartering jazz territory, especially with the Big Band Brothers, with whom he feels he has gained so much invaluable experience.

Pierre Louis Attard

Age: 18
Town: Victoria, Gozo
Instrument: Violin
Alternative Career: Professional sports

Pierre Louis Attard hails from a very musical family, so music was never really an option for him. That does not mean that it has been a chore either. On the contrary, music is a constant inspiration. Nor are there ever any clashes over practice times at home, and even better, no complaints from the neighbours. But music is also about listening, and Attard listens to many different genres, from classical music to pop. It is all about finding your true voice, and being open to new ideas and challenges. Fine words from a violinist whose motto is ‘Kollox f’ħinu u f’waqtu’ (everything has its time and place).

The Debutantes’ Concert is being held at Sir Temi Zammit Hall, University of Malta, on Friday at 7 p.m. Bookings from bookings@sjcav.org and 2122 3200.