American Voices, the brainchild of Artistic Director John Ferguson, is a non-profit organisation devoted to the better understanding of American music and culture. Its repertoire ranges from Broadway music to jazz and opera which it performs around the world.

Speaking to the press, Manoel Theatre Artistic Director Tony Cassar Darien confirmed that the Leonard Bernstein collection which the Maltese public will hear today is one of the most sought after repertoires of this company. Bernstein, of course, is probably best known for the musical West Side Story, from which symphonic dances and some of the most best-loved songs will be performed.

Considered an educator as well as one of the 20th century’s most prolific and versatile American composers, Bernstein was also a rebel who joined the Black Panthers and became a proponent of what became known as “radical chic”.

The Best of Berstein will bring the Manoel Theatre season to a fitting close, with guest artists soprano Kathryn Magestro and baritone Kurt Ollmann. The National Orchestra will be conducted by David Handel who is the Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra of Bolivia.

Mr Handel, expressing his pleasure at being back in Malta, described how it felt to have studied under Berstein himself.

“He was a tremendous genius and his symphonic dances are as brilliant as those of Strauss. His rhythmic imagination and counterpoint are brilliant. He synergised musical influences from all over the world and managed to overlap musical theatre, which is considered popular theatre, with classical music. In fact I would call the excerpts from West Side Story ‘arias’ rather than just songs. This promises to be a very exciting programme for the public.”

Representatives from two of the sponsors, Air Malta and Midi plc, expressed their pleasure at being associated with such a high calibre cultural event. Manoel Theatre chairman Wilfred Kenely said it is thanks to the private sector working with the cultural community that such productions are possible.

The other sponsors of this event are GE, the American Embassy, and Melita Cable. The Best of Berstein is on at the Manoel Theatre today at 7.30pm.