Renaissance Productions Ltd of Valletta has ventured into overseas events, and has registered a huge success with the organisation of a concert by Riccardo Muti at the Theatro Massimo Bellini in Catania, where he made his artistic debut almost 40 years ago in 1968.

The concert was given on 7 March. Maestro Muti’s return to Sicily was characterised by a superb performance, which was greatly welcomed by an enthusiastic audience of 1,200 that packed the

theatre, said RPL. It was attended by personalities from Sicily’s political, business and social circles.

Mro Muti conducted the 70-member Orchestra Giovanile Luigi Cherubini in a programme that included an Overture from Die Zauberharfe by Schubert, Symphony No. 4 Tragica, also by Schubert and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. At the end of his two-hour performance, Maestro Muti spoke passionately of his memories of his debut in the beautiful theatre.

The organisation of the concert in Catania represented the first overseas event organised by Renaissance Productions Ltd, who organised a similar concert at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in July 2005.

RPL were personally requested by Mro Muti to represent his interests in the organisation of the Catania concert when approached by the authorities of Regione Sicilia, Provincia di Catania and Comune di Catania, under whose patronage the concert was held.

“Maestro Muti’s trust in RPL goes back to the successful Malta concert in 2005. That concert struck a particular chord in our professional relationship with him ,but it also stimulated in Muti a strong affinity with Malta. The concert in Catania has meant a lot to RPL, as it has been a rewarding experience working with foreign co-organisers, authorities and sponsors.

“As a result, we have now begun talks about organising another concert with Mro Muti in Monte Carlo in 2008”, said RPL directors Anton Tabone and Amabile Zammit.

The Teatro Bellini concert was also attended by a number of Maltese personalities, who were the guests of Renaissance Productions Ltd.

Air Malta was the principal sponsor of the concert and transported Mro Muti and his orchestra from and to their destinations.