CONCERT SEASON 2015 - 2016 MALTA PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA THE ORCHESTRA BOARD AND MANAGEMENT Leader : Marcelline Agius Board of Directors Sigmund Mifsud, Ruth Micallef, Toni Abela, Mark Attard Montalto, ounded in 1968, the Orchestra was formerly known Marthese Azzopardi, Rita Cutajar, Alexei Galea Cavallazzi, Jean Killick as the Manoel Theatre Orchestra. It became an F independent body in 1997 when it was officially Executive & Artistic Team named the National Orchestra of Malta, and underwent Executive Chairman: Sigmund Mifsud its final transformation in 2008 when it was further Principal Conductor & Artistic Director: Brian Schembri extended and became known as the Malta Philharmonic Resident Conductor: Michael Laus Guest Leader: Carmine Lauri Orchestra (MPO). Financial Controller: Reuben Sammut Marketing Manager: Maria Blanco Under its new leadership, the MPO today continues to pride Operations Manager: Michael Aquilina itself in developing its vision of delivering music of the highest Logistic Coordinator: Tony Mizzi calibre on the Maltese islands while also promoting our HR Officer: John Saliba musical heritage abroad. Librarian: Matthew Fenech Viktor Vella, STILLS WELCOME FOREWORD EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN : ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR : SIGMUND MIFSUD BRIAN SCHEMBRI It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Malta Philharmonic Minister and NnG Promotions for the much-loved open air concerts in Loyal to my firm belief in the power of the great masterpieces However, it is essential for musicians not to neglect their own Orchestra’s 2015-2016 concert season, which includes a vast July. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all our partners of symphonic music on the spiritual development of society and individuality and to develop it to its full artistic potential. In this sense, programme of symphonic repertoire as well as an exciting range of and sponsors for their numerous support. individual, this season reflects a special care for a diversity of tastes the MPO is investing even more in the opportunities that musicians varied genres of music. This is a tangible reflection of how the new and expectations. may have to perform chamber music and solo concertos. The RSH developments and ventures happening within the MPO have widened Further details will continue to be announced at a later stage Concert series is developing into a regular showcase of MPO our visibility both nationally and internationally, initiated productive throughout the season, including information and concerts by our Hard work by all involved in not always easy conditions is indeed musicians in a more intimate solo or chamber ensemble environment. collaborations with new clients and above all brought our infectious Malta Youth Orchestra and the work of the MPO Academy. Kindly bearing fruit. The orchestra is developing into an exciting artistic It is exactly because of the importance that I give to this element in love of music to ever-increasing audiences. visit our website, subscribe to our online newsletter and join our lively ensemble. Its public image has been enhanced and the MPO is any musician’s development, that I am truly looking forward to our community on social media networks, so that you will keep in touch slowly but steadily becoming a household name as well as a key season’s closing concert which will involve no less than 11 soloists I can assure you that this season all our musicians and guest artists, and updated about the latest events. I would also like to invite you to player in Malta’s cultural scene. Thanks to our collective effort we are performing in solo concertos or concertante works. led by Principal Conductor Brian Schembri, will continue to give you support us and become part of our growing family through our MPO not only improving our artistic aptitudes, but also attracting attention an enjoyable and enriching experience. As in previous years it is Loyalty membership scheme. of professional stakeholders, artists in search of recording prospects, The journey is long and the paths are not always straight or easy. my pleasure to announce a stimulating programme series happening producers and reviewers. In doing so, we have managed to develop However, I am sure that with our passionate love for music, our strong at the Robert Samut Hall. I am particularly delighted to mention our Finally, on behalf of my well esteemed colleagues and the MPO, it is an ever-increasing public of loyal patrons as well as newcomers to belief in our social vocation and our professional commitment to educational and outreach programmes which this year will again my privilege to invite you to come and join us in our musical journey our fantastic adventure. always strive for excellence, our dear public and sponsors will always include productions for school children and families. this year. We look forward to seeing you, whether you choose to be there to share our journey and become an active partner in our just stop by at one of our pjazza performances, come to one of our Nothing can replace the feeling one gets performing in a large group exciting future. Throughout the season we will stregthen our collaborative projects unique events, or embrace the entire varied selection of concerts there of musicians, with which each and every individual is essential to the with Valletta 2018, the Arts Council Malta, the Office of the Prime is on offer. magnificent resulting sound of a symphony orchestra. SEPTEMBER 2015 ROCKESTRA INDIPENDENZA 1565 THE MUSICAL 12 September CONCERT Free Entrance MALTA FILM CLIFF ZAMMIT 6 & 7 September Malta Fairs and Convention Centre, 19 September COMMISSION MEDITERRANEAN Ta Qali - 8:00pm STEVENS IN CONCERT Mediterranean Conference Centre, Mediterranean Conference Centre, 90TH ANNIVERSARY OPERA & MUSIC Valletta - 8:00pm Valletta - 7:30pm Progamme includes music by: 4 September Queen 25 & 26 September CRUISE CONCERT Programme: Led Zeppelin Programme includes: Pjazza Teatru Rjal, 1565 The Musical Concert version Coldplay Isouard: Jeannot et Colin, Ah quelle peine extreme 28 September Valletta - 8:00pm Music: Paul Abea Mediterranean Conference Centre, Pink Floyd Camilleri: Il-Weghda, Intermezzo Text: Malcolm Galea Valletta - 8:30pm Robert Samut Hall, Christina Perry Puccini: Manon Lescaut, Sola perduta abbandonata Programme includes: Wagner: Tannhauser, Overture Floriana - 6:30pm Ozzy Programme includes: Tosti: Ideale Conductor: Paul Abela Nirvana Troy: Suite Donizetti: Una Furtiva Lagrima Soloists: Eleanor Spiteri, Roger Tirazona, Zucchero Conductor: Brian Schembri Programme: Dvorak: Song to the moon Count of Montecristo: Suite Georgina Abela, Joseph Zammit, Francesco Soloist: Miriam Cauchi Haydn: Symphony No.45 ‘Farewell’ Tchaikovsky: Kuda Kuda Nicodeme, Nadia Vella, Rachel Camilleri Fabri, Da Vinci Code: Chevaliers de Sangreal Boccherini: Musica Notturna delle strade di Madrid Conductor: Sigmund Mifsud Midnight Express: The Chase Theme Borodin: Polovetzian Dances from Prince Igor Mark Tonna and Cliff Zammit Stevens Mozart: Divertimento K251 Soloists: Pawlu Borg Bonaci, Matthew Maltese soprano Miriam Cauchi joins the Gladiator: Now We Are Free James Borg, Marc Storace, Mikaela Attard, Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert A musical set in Malta during what is one of the Conductor: Natalie Murray Beale Christopher Grech conducted by the MPO’s principal conductor Conductor: Michael Laus most significant events in the Mediterranean - The Conductor: Brian Schembri Soloists: Cliff Zammit Stevens and Brian Schembri, on this special occasion marking Great Siege of Malta in 1565 – and follows the Hannah Sandison Malta’s Independence Day. The programme Soloist: Julie Zahra This programme presents a delightful selection of story of a young knight who lives through love, Rockestra is a unique event, bringing together a comprises of well-loved arias from 19th and 20th music from the classical period and will feature the loss and death. The original soundtrack, which is huge line-up of well-renowned Maltese artists, Maltese tenor Cliff Zammit Stevens returns home Century Operas, including vocal and orchestral The Malta Film Commission will be celebrating MPO Chamber Orchestra conducted by our resident at once patriotically glorious and heart-rendering performing a varied programme of rock and for his seventh summer concert, where he will works by Maltese composers Isouard its 90th Anniversary in style, with a concert by conductor Michael Laus. This orchestral concert is beautiful, will be performed by the Malta popular songs, accompanied by the Malta serenade his audience with a handpicked and Camilleri. the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra conducted being organised as part of the Renaissance Tours Philharmnoioc Orchestra, a 100-strong choir Philharmonic Orchestra, under the musical programme that includes pieces by Puccini, by principal conductor Brian Schembri. The Australia cruise trip around the Mediterranean. Free and a cast of star soloists, under the baton of the direction of Sigmund Mifsud and artistic direction Donizetti and Tchaikovsky. The concert will feature concert brings to the audience a well-researched entrance is generously offered for Music students composer himself. of Pawlu Borg Bonaci. This event, which is in the MPO under the baton of Natalie Murray aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund, never programme, including famous themes from epic and there are limited places available for the Beale and with the participation of guest soprano fails to give the crowd a truly unforgettable and movies and