Wednesday – Rotunda Square, Mosta at 8pm
Kuncert Muzikali – il-Mosta u Ragusa (Musical concert – Mosta and Ragusa) is an open-air musical concert to be held at Rotunda Square, Mosta on Wednesday at 8pm with the participation of Maltese and Sicilian artists. This concert is part of the SMART Project sponsored by Interreg IIIA Italia-Malta. It is being held under the patronage of Italian embassy in Malta and the Italian Cultural Institute and co-ordinated by Dr Gorg Mifsud-Chircop, the local coordinator of the SMART Project on behalf of the Mosta Local Council. It is also sponsored by the Office of the Diplomatic and International Relations of the Presidenza della Regione Siciliana, the Comune and Province of Ragusa in collaboration with the festival Così vicini, così lontani: la Sicilia del sud-est e Malta, organised by the Cooperativa Cinema Nuovo Italiano of Ragusa.
The artists include Sergio Carrubba (pianoforte), Annmarie Chetcuti (pianoforte), Joseph Chetcuti (violin), Claudia Perrone (soprano), and Cetty Schembari (ballerina) who will be performing pieces by Mascagni, Elgar, Rutter, Tosti, Carrubba, Puccini, Lehar, and Ranzato.
Sergio Carrubba studied at the Liceo Musicale Vincenzo Bellini, Catania, where he graduated in Classics and Pianoforte in 1981. He furthered his studies at the Conservatorio Vincenzo Bellini, graduating with full honours in composition and choral direction. He is a keen chamber music player and is also a brilliant accompanist, having performed with world-famous musicians including Katia Ricciarelli and Tatiana Korra. Mro Carrubba made his debut as orchestra conductor in 1996 and since 1998, he has been artistic director of the recording house AJ Punto Musica, Modica, with whom he has recorded two CDs.
AnnMarie Chetcuti obtained all her grade examinations of the ABRSM with distinction, winning first prize in most grades and board prize for the final grades. At the age of 11, she took up another instrument, the viola, and also achieved distinction in all grades of the ABRSM for this instrument, together with being awarded first prize as well as special prizes given by the examining board. She is a holder of the Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music, London and the Licentiate of the Trinity College of Music in Pianoforte Performing. To her credit, she also holds both the Licentiate and Fellowship of the London College of Music in Professional Viola Performing. She has given concerts as soloist, ensemble and orchestral playing locally and abroad on both instruments. In December 1999, she placed first as violist in the mature category at the Young Musicians Competition for Strings and was awarded a scholarship at the Thames Valley University in London. As accompanist, she is a regular, accompanying the top musicians on the island. She also accompanied international cellist, Julian Lloyd Webber in February 2004 at a Classical Connections Concert. She is currently employed as Principal Violist with the Malta National Orchestra and a music teacher in state primary schools.
Joseph Chetcuti, violinist, graduated as Notary Public (1995) and Doctor of Laws (1997) from the University of Malta. He followed a three-year post-graduate course in M.A. (Financial Services) and graduated in 1999. He was founder member of K.N.Z.M. (National Youth Council of Malta) where he occupied the post of International Secretary. He was also Public Relations Officer of K.S.U. (University Students’ Council) and lecturer of Legal Studies in Automobile Engineering at managerial level at Mikilang Sapiano Technical Institute, Malta (1996-1998). He joined Muscat Azzopardi, Spiteri & Associates in 1997, Ganado Sammut & Associates and Europa Research Consultancy Services as an associate in 1998, and the Marsovin Group as Group Advocate and Company Secretary in 2000. Chetcuti is also a renowned television and radio programme producer and presenter.
Claudia Perrone graduated as a pianist and lyric soprano from the Conservatorio Vincenzo Bellini of Caltanissetta, the latter under the direction of L. Albanese, M. Bordignon, C. Delfrati, M. C. Jorquera, G. Mocchi, J.C. Parreira, G. Piazza, S. Piazza Pastorello and M. R. Seidlhofer. She followed master classes with renowned singers and initiated her career as a choir member of the well-known Coro Josquin des Prez, performing rare medieval repertoire. As a soloist, she has performed extensively and has taken part in numerous concerts and musicals organised by the Società Italiana “Dante Alighieri”. She has also featured in Italian films and documentaries, including C. Nicotra’s documentary on Salvatore Fiume (Istituto Luce of Rome) and T. Bosco’s film Le cose che parlano, music by Mro Sergio Carrubba.
Cetty Schembari has followed intensive courses, leading to a diploma in classical dance, under the direction of Annamaria Prina, Principal Director of the Ballet Corps at Teatro alla Scala.
She furthered her dance education in Turin and Belgrade.
Schembari has worked widely as a dancer in various productions and is also very much in demand as a teacher and choreographer. She is a fully-qualified pilates instructress and an expert in contemporary dance.
Arturo Mingardi is the artistic director of the concert and Emilia Guglielmino is the organiser. The former graduated with full honours in Arts, Music and Theatre from the University of Bologna, is also a qualified organiser and administrator.
He is currently artistic director of the Cinema Nuovo Italiano and also active as producer, artistic director and scenic artist of numerous productions. He has worked tirelessly for television documentaries and has been the Director of the Rassegna Cinematografica Internazionale, among others. Since 2003, he has been organising a Festival entitled Così vicini così lontani: la Sicilia del sud est e Malta, which is held in Malta and Sicily.
Entrance to this event is free of charge.