Back to What's onA Radiant Future
“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light” – Aristotle. In the wake of a potential World War, I could not but be reminded of Vasily Vereshchagin The apotheosis of war from 1871 a work that generated considerable controversy when it stated being exhibited. It was in fact many times censored. The title for the 19th Malta Spring Festival reflects on the global feeling on Humanity’s destiny and the future for the up-and-coming generation. In this respect, one of the main aspects of the 19th Malta Spring Festival will be to establish the Malta Spring Festival Academy, providing masterclasses for national and international students by a line-up of world-class artists alongside the programme of events. – Karl Fiorini, Artistic Director.
Opening Concert Tuesday
Date: Tuesday 22nd April
Venue: St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral, Valletta
Time: 20:00
Price: €20
Discount 50% for Students and Senior citizens
Free for Children 15 years and younger
Quíron Quartet
Edgar Gomes, violin I
Barbara Udovcic, violin II
José Azevedo, viola
Maria Nabeiro, cello
Shostakovich | String Quartet no. 8
Shostakovich | String Quartet no. 15
As much as its name comes from the Greek mythology of the Centaur of Knowledge and Art, we search the knowledge of quartet playing and the art of presenting it to an audience to the utmost possible. Founded in late 2020 by four musicians graduated from the best conservatoires in Europe, Quíron Quartet has already performed in countries such as Belgium, France, Netherlands and Portugal, in festivals such as Poitou International Chamber Music Festival (France), Musica em Si Maior Festival, A Corda Caminhos Conjuntos II Chamber Music Cycle (Portugal), the Storioni Festival and Blaricum Music Festival BV (Netherlands).
Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8 is a deeply emotional and introspective work, written as a personal reflection on suffering and despair, with recurring motifs of his musical signature. His String Quartet No. 15, composed near the end of his life, is a profound meditation on mortality, with six interconnected movements evoking an atmosphere of solemnity and haunting beauty.
Contemporary Dance with live Music – Fragments in Flux
Date: Thursday 24th April
Venue: Teatru Manoel, Valletta,
Time: 20:00
Price: €30 & €20
Discount 50% for Students and Senior citizens
Free for Children 15 years and younger
Kristina Besman, violin
Philip Attard, saxophone
Gjorgji Cincievski, double bass
Christine Zerafa, piano
Moveo Dance Company
Charlotte Carpentie, dancer
Cindelle Bouard, dancer
Irene Nocella, dancer
Natalia Filowait, dancer
Dorian Mallia, choreographer
Berio | Sequenzas
Boulez | 12 Notations
Choreographer and Dancer Dorian Mallia, will give new life to Luciano Berio’s Sequenza for Piano and Pierre Boulez’s Douze Notations through choreography, merging the intricate, avant-garde musical textures with dynamic movement. The performance will explore the relationship between sound and physicality, interpreting the complexity and intensity of each composition in a visually compelling way.
Sandro Zerafa Quartet
Date: Friday 25th April
Venue: Teatru Manoel, Valletta
Time: 20:00
Price: €30 & €20
Discount 50% for Students and Senior citizens
Free for Children 15 years and younger
Sandro Zerafa, guitar
Noé Huchard, piano
Yonik Zelkin, bass
Francesco Ciniglio, drums
Sandro Zerafa has always been a musician difficult to categorize. His versatility and eclecticism have allowed him to work and record in various settings, ranging from Brazilian music and mainstream jazz to more modern styles. The music he offers as a composer reflects this diverse universe, as evidenced by his five critically acclaimed albums. Sandro now presents his brand-new quartet, with whom he has recorded his 6th album, released in 2024.
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Rising Stars Spotlight
Chico Zerafa
Ravel | Sonatine Beethoven | Sonata op.78 in F# major Fauré | Barcarolle n.3 Scriabin | Poème op.32 |
Closing Concert Saturday
Date: 26th April
Venue: Teatru Manoel, Valletta,
Time: 20:00
Price: €30 & €20
Discount 50% for Students and Senior citizens
Free for Children 15 years and younger
Malta Spring Festival Academy Orchestra
Dmitry Sitkovetsky, violin solo
Brian Schembri, conductor
Fiorini | Pentimenti
Shostakovich | Symphony for Strings op.110a
Pärt | Fratres
Tchaikovsky | Serenade for Strings
This programme brings together the Malta Spring Festival Academy Orchestra under conductor Brian Schembri, featuring world renowned violinist Dmitry Sitkovetsky. It opens with Karl Fiorini’s Pentimenti, followed by Shostakovich’s Symphony for Strings op.110a, a powerful reworking of his 8th quartet. Pärt’s Fratres provides a meditative contrast, leading to the evening’s conclusion with Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, a lyrical favorite.
