‘Opera vs Pop Under the Stars – 7th Edition,’ took place on Monday evening in front of a large and appreciative audience, in the Courtyard within the Ministry for Gozo, Victoria.

The concert was hosted by the Minister for Gozo, Dr. Anton Refalo, together with the Ambassador for the United States of America H.E. Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley.

The concert featured Soprano Pamela Agius (New York), Bass Noel Galea (Gozo) and Pop Singer Francesco Joseph Nicodeme (Italy), together with Gozitan and Maltese singers and musicians.

The first part of the programme consisted of classical and operatic songs and arias, followed by an array of lighter pop arrangements from soundtracks and musicals in the second part. Patrons were also invited to an after-concert treat.

Ever since its inception in 2002, the Gozo Youth Wind Band & Orchestra, consisting of two separate groups of young and promising musicians, have been entertaining the general public with a wide range of stylistic repertoire to the enjoyment of all age-groups.

Hailing from all over Gozo and enriched with proficient guest musicians including foreign residents residing on the island, these young musicians meet regularly to prepare a wide spectrum of musical genre to be performed in various high-calibre events held from time to time in Gozo and Malta.

The whole concept behind this project, originating after a successful tour by The Derbyshire City & County Youth Wind Band & Orchestra in 2001, besides creating the opportunity to young talented musicians perform in the collective manner, is to create a new approach to concert performances by nearly-similar ensembles and strives to explore new/innovative aspects of presenting its performances.

Monday evening’s concert was was held in collaboration with the Ministry for Gozo, the American Embassy, the Culture Section within the Ministry for Gozo, V18, MTA, Joseph Portelli Projects and General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd.

Photograph: MGOZ/George Scerri

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