Free music festival to hit the island

To mark the five-year anniversary of the International Spring Festival, its artistic director – the Paris-based composer Karl Fiorini – has decided to offer all concerts free of charge… an idea that was enthusiastically met by Manoel Theatre’s CEO Ray Attard.

 “Our biggest fight is against such ignorance and laziness,” Fiorini said, describing the need to combat the negative associations classical much may have… namely, that it’s only for the ‘bourgeois’.

“Classical music can be enjoyed by everyone, but only if one is curious enough to make the first step,” Fiorini continued. To put his plan into action, Fiorini announced that the opening concert of this growing event will be held on Tuesday, April 26 at Piazza Tigne from 18:00 with a performance of Haydn’s 70th Symphony by the Rotterdam Ensemble.

The orchestra’s conductor, Roberto Beltran-Zavala, is more than happy to be visiting Malta for the fourth time to perform an exciting and enticing program that includes Bartok’s Divertimento for stringsand Shostakovich’sPiano concerto No. 1, among others.

Another concert is being held in collaboration with the Ministry of Resources and Rural affairs at the St Antnin Waste Plant in Marsaskala, aimed for the local community on Thursday, April 28 at 20:00.

The following day, on April 29, two concerts are taking place at the Manoel Theatre at 13:00 and 13:45 aimed for children. In addition to these grass-roots oriented programs the International Spring Festival Orchestra is also launching on the final day of the event a Classical Music Marathon, aimed for young debutantes at the Sala Isouard, at the Manoel Theatre.

The Marathon will start at 10:00 and will include 10 one-hour solo and chamber concerts. Together with the youngsters, 10 established local musicians will also be performing, one at every hour.

The marathon will culminate with an orchestral concert taking place at 20:00 at the Manoel Theatre, finishing the 12-hour long event.

Those interested in participating are to send an email to [email protected]or call 79 256097.

Tickets are free of charge but need to be reserved from the Manoel Theatre’s booking office by calling 21 246389. A non-nominative contribution will be asked at the door.