Simon Schembri & Quatuor Parisii Ftakar 2

The Malta Arts Festival will be starting its second week in style with the colourful and magical dance-drama production Bombyx Mori at the enchanting Argotti Gardens in Floriana, tonight Monday 9^th at 21.00. Choreographed and performed by the Israel-based Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollak dance company, Bombyx Mori continued in the mould of the company’s previous acclaimed productions in creating a rich tapestry of sensations, which have allowed audiences to rediscover that childlike awe dormant within again and again.

Tuesday the 10^th July will see renowned local classical guitarist Simon Schembri join forces with the Quatuor Parisii string-quartet for an exclusive Malta Arts Festival performance that will feature music by Maltese composer Joseph Vella. The chamber music concert will be held at the Auberge de Castille courtyard in Valletta at 21.00.

Having commenced his guitar studies at the tender age of six under the dedicated guidance of his grandfather Mro Carmelo Schembri, Simon Schembri started giving concerts when he was just nine years of age. These initial successes gave the young guitarist opportunity to broaden his musical horizons and showcase his talents in London and Paris, where he went on to be awarded the Premier Prix d’Interpretation from the National Conservatory of Paris. Eventually relocating to France, Schembri has now given well over 600 concerts all over the world throughout his colourful career.

The Parisii Quatert, who this year celebrate their 30^th anniversary, is founded by four students from the Conservatory of Paris, all first prize laureates in both instrument and chamber music. Based on a shared ambition of excellence and eclecticism, the Parisii musicians have over the years developed a repertoire of impressive breadth and unequaled quality of interpretation, undoubtedly placing them amongst the greatest. The Parisii Quartet remains to date the only string quartet worldwide offering a live performance of the incredibly complex full works of P. Boulez.

The Simon Schembri & Quatuor Parisii concert is a free event, however tickets must be reserved by contacting the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts offices at Casa Gaspe, 230, Republic Street Valletta, between 9.00 and 12.30.

Following last year’s sold-out Malta Arts Festival concert Ftakar, the Big Band Brothers under the direction of Daniel Cauchi, will be returning with Ftakar 2: the second phase of their Maltese music revival productions. The concert will be held at Argotti Gardens in Floriana, on Wednesday the 11th at 21.00. Ftakar 2 is a Malta Arts Festival commission.

Ftakar 2 will be specially dedicated to the songs penned by well-known artist Alfred C. Sant and will take the audience on a journey through this remarkable local songwiter’s musical career. The chosen songs that will be given the big band treatment include both famous and lesser-know gems. Alfred C. Sant has been involved in the Maltese pop music scene since the 1970s when he started composing songs and participating in local song festivals. Sant has won various awards both as an author and as a composer, and his music has been interpreted by an impressive range of singers, including Italian artist Claudio Baglioni who sang L-Aħħar Bidwi F’Wied Il-Għasel during his 2007 concert in Malta.

Since its inception, Big Band Brothers has performed countless gigs both locally and internationally in London, Liverpool, Sicily, Portugal and Istanbul. They also provided the musical backdrop to Theatre Anon’s sold-out run of Ospizio, a Malta Arts Festival 2010 commission. 2011 saw the band record and release its debut single named Rain or Shine.

Tickets for Ftakar 2 can be purchased from www.ticketline.com.mt.

For more information on the Malta Arts Festival please visit www.maltaartsfestival.org.

The Festival is organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts and is supported by GO, MSV Life, Marsovin, The Phoenicia Hotel, Switch Design Brand Strategy and Infusion web + IT solutions. Special thanks goes to Palazzo De Piro, Valletta local council, Floriana local council and Birgu local council. For more information contact Sarah-Lee Zammit at sarah-lee.zammit@maltaculture.com or +356 7904 8179.