The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, in collaboration with the Office of the Prime Minister, will be presenting the second edition of Classics under the Stars, an open air concert of popular classical music in the gardens of the historic Girgenti Palace in Siggiewi at 8.30pm on 28 July. The activity will be held under the patronage of the Prime Minister.

This year, the MPO has decided to give the concert a decidedly festive and summery feel, with an emphasis on Latin American music. The guest conductor will be US-born David Handel, who has been chosen by the MPO in view of his great experience in this repertoire. Handel has worked for many years in South America, conducting many of that continent’s best orchestras.

The chosen repertoire includes some of the best known and popular works by American composers including pieces by Astor Piazzola and Alberto Ginastera (Argentina), Pablo Moncayo (Mexico) and Alfonso Leng (Chile). The programme also contains a strong element of “symphonic jazz” in the shape of George Gershwin’s Cuban Overture and An American in Paris.

Classics under the Stars is one in a series of highly successful outreach initiatives presented by the MPO throughout the year, and will be a fitting close to the concert season. The series will continue after the summer months with a number of events in various localities around Malta and Gozo, which will be held in parallel with the orchestra’s more traditional concerts.

Entrance to Classics Under the Stars is free of charge, by invitation which may be obtained from the Office of the Prime Minister, Auberge de Castille Monday to Friday from 7.30am till 1pm.

For more information on how to obtain tickets for this concert visit www.maltaorchestra.com