Mediterranean Letters invites audiences to an evocative evening where music and poetry intertwine, capturing the essence of the Mediterranean - its culture, traditions, and timeless beauty.
The concert features violinist Justyna Zanko and pianist Julia Miller, who will perform a vibrant and diverse programme inspired by the spirit and sounds of the region:
- Rosario Scalero (Italy) - Drei Stücke op. 17
- Mikis Theodorakis (Greece) - Three Pieces for December
- Pablo de Sarasate (Spain) - Romanza andaluza
- Camille Saint-Saëns / Georges Bizet (France) - Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso op. 28
- Charles Camilleri (Malta) - Three Folk Songs from Malta
- Karol Szymanowski (Poland) - 'Fountain of Arethusa' from Myths op. 30
Polish pianist Julia Miller graduated in piano performance and chamber music from the Academy of Music in Łódź, studying under Professors Anna Wesołowska-Firlej, Bogusław Pikala, and Cezary Sanecki.
After establishing her career in Poland and Ireland, she moved to Malta in 2012, where she has since built a distinguished career as both soloist and collaborator.
She has performed with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, KorMalta, and the Manoel Theatre Youth Opera, and regularly appears at festivals including the Malta Baroque Festival, Gaulitana Festival, Victoria International Arts Festival, TEDx Lublin, and Festival Musicale delle Nazioni (Rome).
Her acclaimed solo recital series Julia Miller Plays celebrates Romantic and early 20th-century piano repertoire.
Currently completing her Doctorate in Music at the University of Malta, she focuses on female composers from the late 19th century in the USA and Sweden
The evening's programme, ranging from Romantic to contemporary styles, will be interwoven with poetry by Mediterranean literary voices such as Eugenio Montale, Antonio Machado, Paul Verlaine, John Portelli, and Federico García Lorca.
These readings will be performed by Maltese actor Natalie Naudi, creating a seamless dialogue between word and sound, exploring how both art forms reflect the landscapes, rhythms, and atmosphere of the Mediterranean world.
A multifaceted Maltese artist, Natalie Naudi balances her passions for music, theatre, and broadcasting.
She holds diplomas in Music Performance and Music Theory, and plays piano, guitar, and ukulele.
Natalie is a familiar face on Maltese television, producing and presenting programmes on TVM including Ħxejjex u Ħwawar, Annona: Ikel u Identità, Tessuti u Bizzilla, and Etiquette: L-Istorja mill-Bidu Nett.
On stage, she has appeared in Pagliacci and La Bohème at the Manoel Theatre, as well as in The Women of the George Cross Island, Chalet, Iż-Żmien Bejnietna, and L-Istatwa at Spazju Kreattiv.
Justyna Ewa Zańko is a Polish concert violinist, soloist, and chamber musician, as well as the Artistic Director of VirtuClassic and President of the Virtuoso Music Foundation.
She is a graduate of the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, Poland (Master of Arts in Music - Faculty of Instrumental Studies) and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in the UK (Advanced Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Performance). Throughout her academic and masterclass training, she studied under renowned violin masters such as Rimma Sushanskaya (the last student of David Oistrakh), Igor Oistrakh, Zakhar Bron, Roman Lasocki, Antoni Cofalik, among others.
Her international career has taken her to some of the world!s most prestigious stages, such as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Royal Albert Hall in London, Beethoven House in Bonn, Palais de Monaco in Paris, and Mozarteum in Salzburg. She is regularly invited to perform at international festivals and concert series, including the Wieniawski Brothers International Festival, Virtuoso Music Festival in Stratford-Upon-Avon (UK), Harmonies of the Old Town, International Festival Andrzej Nikodemowicz - Time and Sound in Poland and the Victoria International Arts Festival in Malta.
As a soloist, she has performed with the Lublin Philharmonic, Stratford Virtuosi Orchestra, and the Birmingham Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Cheung Chau, Michael Seal, Rimma Sushanskaya and Piotr Wijatkowski.
Justyna Zanko is a winner of first prizes and recipient of special awards in numerous international competitions, including the Golden Classical Music Awards, Grand Prize Virtuoso, and the Bach International Music Competition.
Her musical interpretations are distinguished not only by technical precision and artistic maturity but above all by a unique sensitivity and delicacy - hallmarks of her distinctive artistic identity.
The evening will be followed by a wine reception courtesy of Marsovin wines.
The event will take place on 3 November, 2025 at 7.30pm in The Green Room of Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Triq Ir-Repubblika Casa Cassar Il-Belt Valletta,
Tickets: https://www.showshappening.com/julia-miller/mediterranean-letters
This evening would not be possible without the generous support of the following sponsors.
Main sponsor Farsons Foundation; supporting sponsor Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Valletta; Friends of the Project: Embassy of Spain in Malta and Marsovin Wines.
Honorary Patronage: Istituto Italiano di Cultura di La Valletta
"Mediterranean Letters" promises a journey through music and poetry - an evening of reflection, colour, and emotion that celebrates the shared cultural heritage of the Mediterranean region.