In my younger days, the word “orchestra” always conjured up images of elegantly dressed men and women seated with their instruments in hand; ready to plunge into their allegros and andantes at the flick of the conductor’s baton. It wasn’t quite the music that appealed to the child that I was back then. Rock and pop were more my kind of thing, but over the years, orchestral music has sunk in, slowly but surely making its way not just into my play list, but also into my record collection, book-ended on one side by a bunch of blues albums and classical titles at the other, with anything and everything in between. This mixture of genres in my record collection is however, nothing compared to the mixture of musical styles that has evolved over the years, with the most unlikely elements teaming up to produce effective and lasting results. And I don’t just mean on record…

On the local scene, for example, one event in particular captures this genre-bending exercise at its best – live on stage! The National Orchestra, under the guidance of music director Sigmund Mifsud (pictured above), will, for the second year running be presenting the National Orchestra Goes Pop with Vodafone! concert. The concert will kick off this year’s Malta Arts Festival, with its innovative approach to the performance of familiar tunes with the participation of popular Maltese artists. This year, the 50-piece orchestra, including a less traditional yet most significant guitar-bass-drums-keyboards set-up plus extra brass, will back up three local talents who certainly need no introduction, along with a couple of rising stars.

Chiara is by now a household name, thanks to a voice that has seen her shine on the Eurovision stage as well as at every performance at home and abroad. It is no wonder she is known on the continent as The Voice, and her performances seldom fall short of magnificence. Her set for the concert will be based on songs – including a challenging take on Christina Aguilera’s The Voice Within - that were not specifically written for her, but, if her track record is anything to go by, she should certainly make her own.

The second guest singer will be Ivan Grech, better known as the face and voice of popular rock band Winter Moods. With three albums and a never-ending string of live performances under their belt, Winter Moods have undoubtedly become one of Malta’s top bands, even garnering a following beyond our shores whenever they venture overseas to perform. Ivan Grech’s onstage charisma and passion for music will certainly be vital to his solo performance with an orchestra instead of a rock band, and his set, including songs by legendary Irish band U2, will probably rock the joint… sorry, the Old Opera House, to its foundations.

Pia Zammit, perhaps better known for her acting skills on the theatre circuit, is also a talented singer. Her voice has been described as “particularly deep”, and for this concert she will be performing a set featuring a number of swing standards, a style which, despite not being so commonplace nowadays, should still keep the vibe of the concert fully charged.

Apart from the familiar names, the concert will also introduce budding singer Tara, a recent musical theatre graduate from The Arts Educational School in London and now pursuing a solo career in the UK. She will be accompanied onstage by Ben Darmanin, a promising singer, dancer and actor currently studying at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in England.

And aside form the vocal sets, the National Orchestra itself will deliver a selection of instrumental pieces, including soundtracks, swing standards, Latin and soul music as well as a composition by up-and-coming composer Alex Vella Gregory, who also recently graduated in Composition from Edinburgh’s Napier University. For the occasion, director Sigmund Mifsud has prepared a special arrangement, all done in funky good taste of course, of The Beatles’ Lady Madonna for all to enjoy! All of the above will provide a good two hours of solid entertainment, presented by the charming Giselle Calleja and the incomparable Sander. Need I say more?

The National Orchestra Goes Pop with Vodafone will take place on 29 and 30 July at The Old Opera House, commencing at 9pm on both nights. Tickets are available from Vodafone outlets at Birkirkara By-Pass, Valletta, Paola and Gozo; Orienta, Paola; Music Link, Fleur de Lys, Birkirkara and Hotel Kennedy Nova, Sliema or by calling the ticket hotline on 9951-5151.

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Take 5: Interview with Ivan Grech (Winter Moods)

Q. This won’t be your first experience working with an orchestra. Has working with the National Orchestra for this event proved different to your previous experience?

A. It’s only different because last time it was with the band and doing original stuff, this time it’s me as a singer doing cover versions. Preparations and stuff are pretty much the same.

Q. How does fronting a rock band compare to fronting an orchestra?

A. With the band, performing becomes a routine, a wanted and enjoyable routine of course.

With the orchestra, the front man issue is put aside, it becomes more intimate and requires more discipline; you are part of a large production.

Q. What can the audience expect from your set?

A. Well, a performance with passion, I look forward to forging the usual bond with the audience, that’s always my ultimate goal.

The songs are done with special arrangements too and I will be giving them my own interpretation.

Q. You’re known to be a huge U2 fan. What does it feel like covering their songs onstage?

A. I love doing U2 songs; they take me back to my childhood when I performed their songs to the mirror.

That was my audience at the time. It is always emotional and uplifting, they were my main inspiration to join a band. U2 mean a lot to me.

Q. Final question. Why should people not miss this concert?

A. It’s just going to be a great show – something different! The audience will be part of the whole show, it always takes the performer and a great audience to have a great show, and the Maltese audience is one of the best one could have.

Another thing that stands out is the venue, this event is taking place where the majestic theatre used to stand, maybe it is time to start thinking about giving it life again, maybe the echoes of this event will reach out to those who can make it stand again in its glory.

For more information about the band, visit www.wintermoods.net