The VIAF, dubbed “the Gozo Miracle'” many moons ago by yours truly is back: and with what a bang it did! This year it is dedicated to the memory of Mgr. Giuseppe Farrugia (1852-1925). Among the many gifts this polymath was endowed with, composition featured among them. This edition of the Festival is to mark the first centenary.of Mgr. Farrugia’s death.

The internationally acclaimed celebrity, violin virtuoso Carmine Lauri of whom our Islands are so justly proud held the full opera hous spellbound with his magical interpretation of t First Violin Concerto, in D Major, Op. 6, composed by 1815, by Niccolò Paganini (1782-1840).

The MPO was inspired with the direction of popular and charismatic British conductor Philip Walsh. He is also the VIAF’s resident conductor at the helm of an MPO on the best of forms and with Carmine Lauri embarked on an amazing Romantic journey wallowing in supreme “bel canto” mode. Dazzling musicality, technique and balance marked this interpretation and reading.

Many present had had the good fortune to enjoy Lauri’s performance at the Manoel in Malta, just five days earlier to piano accompaniment by his daughter Francesca. This concert at the Astra provided the luxury of a second event involving him in just five days.

At the end of a greatly acclaimed performance, Carmine Lauri regaled the house with an encore. He was accompanied by the MPO in the Introduction and Tarantella by Sarasate (1844-1908). He performed on a 1750 Pietro Guarnieri kindly loaned by Anna Kozinska.

Who could have enough words to do justice to the performance of Symphony n.2, in D Major Op. 43 (1901-2) by Jan Sibelius (1865-1957)? I shall try. It was a greatly involving work that in movement after movement (four of them), there was a certain continuity. Tempi of course varied but many hints of future development could be heard, small in content. Destined to become great sweeping statements especially in the outer movements the music scaled from height ho height. Excitement abounded and the irrepressibly beautiful climax of the work and it was simply GLORIOUS. It shall remain an unforgettable experience. When I left the Astra I felt as if I were walking on air. So it continued until I got back home at c.01.45.

Thank you (Fr.) George and (Dr.) Maria Frendo and the Festival’s organising committee and many sponsors for making this month-long Festival possible.

Albert George Storace