The dynamic duo Renzo Spiteri and N'faly Kouyate will be teaming up once more to present an energy-packed performance in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund, under the distinguished patronage of H.E. The President of Malta and Mrs Fenech Adami

The versatile Maltese percussionist, renowned for his innovative style, and the charismatic West African kora and balafon master, will be playing at the Verdala

Palace in Buskett on 2 September during an open-air concert.

The scene of the concert

Verdala Palace was built in 1586 by the Maltese engineer Gerolamo Cassar for Grand Master de Verdalle (1582-1595), in the then remote area of Boschetto, where a woodland valley provided an adequate hunting ground for game. The palace was temporarily turned into a prison in 1800 when the French surrendered to the British. For several years, Verdala Palace fell into disrepair until Governor Sir William Reid gave it a much-needed facelift in 1855. In 1982, the castle was converted into the official government guest-house for visiting Heads of State and later became the summer residence of the President of Malta. The Palace has continued to be upgraded and embellished in various projects that aim to attain its former dignity.

The Palace ground floor contains a series of rooms around a majestic banqueting hall. The barrel vault ceiling of this hall is divided into five bays decorated with mural paintings. The paintings show various mythological figures standing on a shallow ledge within an illusionistic niche framed by plain pilasters. The mythological figures can be identified by their iconographical attributes and inscriptions. It is believed that these mural paintings are the work of the 16th century artist Filippo Paladini, who also painted the lunette scenes from the life of Grand Master de Verdalle, at either end of the hall. More recently, the Maltese artist Giuseppe Calì (1846 - 1930) was engaged to restore the frescoes

The artists

N'faly Kouyate, originally from the Republic of Guinea, has performed in various international festivals and events including Montreal, Montreux and Francofolies at Spa, and is also a core member of the world-famous Afro Celt Sound System. He plays very old traditional West African instruments – the kora (a harp-lute) and balafon (African xylophone) – and through his performances, he draws on his ancestry and uses music and storytelling as a way to open doors between different peoples and cultures.

Renzo Spiteri is an accomplished solo artiste and session musician. He has toured extensively, performing and sharing the stage with artistes from Europe, Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia. His most recent engagement was the vibrant percussion performance that, together with percussion players from the China Conservatory of Music (Beijing), was presented during the Malta Jazz Festival in July. Renzo has earned international endorsements from world leading instrument companies Toca Percussion and Paiste Cymbals, and is supported by Olimpus Music (Malta).

The concert begins at 8.15pm. Tickets are on sale at Lm5 each, are available from the Malta Community Chest Fund (The Palace, Valletta;

Tel: 21231350 and 21240568 as well as St. James Cavalier, Valletta.

(Tel: 21 223216; email: [email protected]).

The Verdala Palace will be open for

viewing after the performance.