Preparations for Cliff Zammit Stevens’s ninth annual summer concert in Valletta on Saturday are currently in full swing.
The tenor will be accompanied by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of maestro Philip Walsh, and the Animae Gospel Choir.
“Rehearsals and preparations are all going as planned and I cannot wait to be on stage at Pjazza Teatru Rjal once again performing to the amazing Maltese public,” said Zammit Stevens.
“I am excited and working hard to make sure that everything will be perfect onthe night. I want to ensure that the programme and atmosphere will appeal to people of all ages – be they operatic enthusiasts or people looking for a fun evening out.”
The concert will feature arias by Mozart, Verdi and Donizetti as well as classics by the Animae Gospel Choir.
These will include You’ll Never Walk Alone from Rodgers and Hammersteins’ hit musical Carousel, and the choir’s rendition of He Lives In You.
This concert follows another successful year for the tenor. He has performed in concerts and operas across Europe, notably Le Nozze di Figaro at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, touring i Capuleti e i Montecchi across the UK, as well as headlining Malta’s EU presidency concert in Berlin.
“It is always an honour to be able to perform back home, and seeing my concert grow year after year fills me with so much courage to continue working hard and organising bigger and better events.
“The overriding message of this year is that music is for everyone; it speaks a universal language and is the best cure for today’s world.
“This is the reason I have invited the Animae Gospel Choir to join me. This year’s concert is an amalgamation of different genres of music coming together in perfect harmony.”
Sigmund Mifsud, chairman of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, said: “The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra is proud to join Cliff once again for his annual summer concert. I am pleased to see his great voice continue to develop year after year. Cliff should be lauded for personally taking the initiative to organise such a great concert every summer.”
Zammit Stevens’s forthcoming schedule is packed with international events. Some of his upcoming concerts and operas include performances in London, Austria and Munich.
He is also thrilled to be making his debut in Teatru Astra’s Lucia di Lamermoor in October and at the Manoel Theatre’s Don Giovanni in March next year.
The concert is being held at Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Valletta, on Saturday at 8pm. Some tickets are still available for sale on www.ticketline.com.mt.