Sir Temi Zammit Hall, University of Malta, on Sunday 5 August at 7.30pm

Losing a loved one is always hard but we draw comfort from the knowledge that we are better persons for having had them in our life.

The annual Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet production this year will be bittersweet, because the co-founder and one of the driving forces behind the school, John Baldacchino, is no longer with them.

Thru’ the Barres is intended as a tribute to John, Olivia’s husband and lifelong source of professional support, who wrote original ballets for the school.

The sad news of “Mr John’s” death on 15 February had deeply shaken the entire school. Through his untimely passing away, the Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet lost a very talented personality. Everyone will remember his devotion to music and culture and the promotion of ballet in Malta.

Learning the art of ballet is by no means an easy task, it is a serious and respected profession which is popular the world over.

The more people learn about ballet the more enriched they will be.

They will come to cherish this “immortal art”, because ballet is truly magnificent and admired by millions upon millions all over the globe and Malta can now, thanks to John, also boast of its own original ballet productions.

Over 120 students from the school will be taking part in this year’s two-part concert.

The routines will range from classical ballet to hip hop and will mirror the versatility of Olivia Dow’s superbly trained performers.

Produced, directed and choreographed by Olivia Dow herself with additional choreography by Svitlana Sivak Spiteri, Martina Zammit and Jessica Farrugia.

Congratulations to….

Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet “John Baldacchino” Memorial Scholarship 2007 goes to Anthea Marie Zammit (Honours with Distinction). Congratulations, as this is the highest mark in the highest grade in 2006.

Examinations at the school in Naxxar were attended by Deborah Adamou of Cyprus and Eunice Biedryski Bartell, President of the Russian Ballet Society. Congratulations go to all the students of the school for doing so well in their 2006 examinations.

Congratulations are due to Martina Zammit after she graduated at the beginning of November as Junior Teacher (Honours). She started lessons at the tender age of five at the Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet, performing in all the abovementioned ballets featuring prominently in last year’s Queen of the Dance. This year she will not only be performing but will be choreographing parts of Thru’ the Barres. Congratulations are also due to Jessica Farrugia after she graduated at the beginning of November as Junior Teacher at the Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet, alongside Martina.

Jessica also performed in all the ballets and will also be performing tonight and choreographing parts of Thru’ the Barres.

Meanwhile, the third graduate Althea Corlett has gone abroad to follow in her sister’s footsteps. Her older sister, Marama Corlett, is at the Urdang Academy in London on a full three-year scholarship and we will undoubtedly be hearing some good news from her soon.