VIAF 2015

VIAF Closing Choral and Orchestral Concert tomorrow at 7.45pm

It is with great pleasure that the organizers of the Victoria International Arts Festival announce the closing choral and orchestral concert of this year’s 18th edition of our Festival. After a run of 34 musical/artistic activities, with more than 400 performers coming from 20 different countries (to include South Korea and Australia), performing over 240 works by 128 different composers with 11 world premieres and 4 Malta premieres – well, the list is both exhausting and exhaustive. So, there is a sense of fulfilment in that as in previous years this year’s edition has been a huge success so far; there is no sense of nostalgia for once something is done well the only way to make it better is to repeat it. And that’s what we are already doing – planning the 2016 edition.

But, before that, we have reserved the best for last.  It worked at Cana, why shouldn’t it work in Victoria?? Tomorrow, the esteemed Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (leader: Marcelline Agius), which also performed in the Inaugural Concert on Wednesday 9 June, will once again be under the charismatic direction of Joseph Vella, Artistic Director of VIAF and composer-in-residence at MPO. The programme will see the Malta premiere of both Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D Minor op. 47 played by virtuoso whizz Andrea Gajic and Stravinsky’s hauntingly beautiful Symphony of Psalms. There will also be Bernstein’s vibrant Chichester Psalms, Massimo Palombella’s Anthem in Honour of St Francis and Joseph Vella’s Hymn in Honour of Fra’ Matthew Festing.

For the choral works, the resident choir of St George’s Basilica, the Laudate Pueri (director: George Joseph Frendo) will team up with London choir Siglo de Oro (director: Patrick Allies). Soloist Roberto Colvalle, chorister with the legendary PontificiaCappella Sistina, Rome, will be singing the wonderful solo in Bernstein’s work, composed specifically for male alto or boy soprano.

Please note that the concert, which will be held at St George’s Basilica, will start at 7.45pm NOT at 8pm, as initially advertised. Please be seated by 7.30pm. There will be horse racing in the main street of Victoria, so think well ahead in case you need to park your cars.