The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing Stravinsky's revolutionary work The Rite of Spring for the first time in Malta on Saturday 14 September.

Commissioned by Diaghilev, the work describes a pagan ritual where a virgin dances herself to death. The premiere of the ballet in 1913 caused a scandal. The riots that ensued in the theatre were a reaction to Stravinsky's jarring rhythms and complex innovations, Nijinsky's exotic choreography and Roerick's bizarre settings.

The programme also presents fellow Russian Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2 - contrastingly full of lyrical melodies. Often described as the greatest piano concerto ever written, the work is full of dialogue between orchestra and soloist.

The concert, part of the MPO 19/20 Season, will be under the direction of the MPO Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan and features pianist Alexei Volodin, acclaimed for his highly sensitive touch and technical brilliance.

Tickets for this concert, which will take place at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, can be acquired through showshappening.com or from the MCC's box office.

Patrons may benefit from an early-bird offer of 50% discount on tickets purchased valid until 4 August.