The church of Santa Marija at Bir Miftuh, which, with its excellent acoustics and peaceful setting provides a unique backdrop to the music.

Din l-Art Helwa will be organising a an international music festival at Bir Miftuh, the first of which will be on Saturday 13 May. It is a cello and piano recital by the Duo Schmaderer – de Domenico, sponsored by the German Embassy and the German Maltese Circle, with Cornelius Schmaderer on the Cello and Maltese born Kathleen de Domenico playing the Piano.

Born in Munich in 1957, Cornelius Schmaderer started his cello tuition under the guidance of several distinguished cello teachers. He had two years of intensive study at the Mozarteum in Salzburg where he was celloprimo with the Austrian Junior Orchestra. He was awarded the Concert Diploma from the Music Academy of Munich. In 1984 he became a member of the State Theatre of Kassel, Germany and later appointed teacher at the Music Academy there. He has attended master classes with Misha Maisky, Arto Noras and other high profile professors.

Kathleen de Domenico began her music education in Malta. After being awarded a scholarship in 1965, she furthered her studies in Germany at the Music Academy of Saarbrücken and at the Music Academy of Munich from where she graduated with a Masterclass Diploma. She has given recitals in Malta and Germany as well as on German radio stations. She specialises in piano chamber music and also works as a chamber music accompanist at the Academy of Music in Munich. The Duo Schmaderer – de Domenico was formed in 1982. They have a wide repertoire ranging from the Baroque through the Romantic Period up to the Modern Classic. They have been highly acclaimed in Germany and the rest of Europe, the Near and Middle East, parts of Africa and SE Asia. Their programme features works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Robert Schumann, Nikolai Mjaskowsky and Richard Strauss.

All concerts start at 8pm and tickets cost Lm8 per person, including refreshments after the performance and all funds raised are dedicated to Din l-Art Helwa’s many restoration projects of the heritage sites it holds in trust for the nation. For further information contact Din l-Art Helwa Office Tel: 21220358 or 21225952, Monday to Friday between 9am and noon.