Malta's Spectacular Venues SetTHE STAGEfor summer Musical Events |
- Opera on the Water and Malta's 13th Annual Jazz Festival -
The Maltese lslands present Opera on the Water, on July 30, 2003 and the 13th Annual Malta Jazz Festival on July 18 - 20, 2003. Taking place at one of Malta's most prestigious locations, Opera on the Water will be performed in the Portomaso Marina, which is renowned for its stylish and sophisticated ambience. The annual Jazz festival will be held at Ta' Liesse, located by the Grand Harbor in Valletta - a uniquely spectacular venue for listening to the mystical sounds of blues.
Renowned in Europe for its faultless performances and powerful soloists, the London City Opera Company will perform La Boheme, an opera that is currently enjoying a worldwide upsurge in popularity. The performance will be conducted by Roderick Brydon and includes soloists Anne Williams - King, Adria Martin, Richard Morris, Eldryyd Cynan Jones, Richard Robson and Jochem Van Ast. The venue offers three different seating sections. The upper dining section will seat the guests at gala set tables and will include gourmet dinner. The lower and upper terrace section will seat the guests in theatre style and will offer stand up cuisine during the breaks
The legendary saxophonist Wayne Shorter will take top billing at this year's Jazz festival. Shorter, renowned for his role in the group Weather Report, has been in the business for nearly 35 years, having collaborated with many of history's musical giants. He has played and recorded with artists such as Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock and Steely Dan. In 1970, Shorter formed Weather Report with Joe Zawinul and Miroslav Vitous to reach the pinnacle of his career. At the Malta Jazz Festival, Shorter will be playing with Danilo Perez on piano, John Patitucci on bass, and Brian Blade on drums. Patitucci is known as one of the foremost bass players in the world and has performed in Malta twice before.
Wayne Shorter |
Danilo Perez |
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Thirteen years ago, the Department on Culture decided to include Jazz in the island's summer arts festival. Since then, Malta Jazz has attracted the great names and aspiring talent of various Jazz genres and has gained international popularity. This is the first year Malta has organized Opera on the Water, but it is expected to become a highlight and annual event of Malta's international cultural calendar.
Michael Piscopo, Director of the Malta Tourism Authority in North America, stated, "Opera on the Water and the Annual Malta Jazz Festival showcase Malta's vibrant cultural and musical attractions. These two events and many others on our annual calendar of cultural happenings generate international awareness, reinforcing Malta's image as one of the prime locations for quality artistic entertainment in Europe.
For additional information on the destination, contact the Malta Tourist Office, 65 Broadway, Suite 823, New York, NY, 10006; 1-877-GO-MALTA; (fax) 425-795-3425;
email: office.us@visitmalta.com; website: www.visitmalta.com.
About Malta
The Maltese lslands of Malta, Gozo, and Comino are enchanting, tranquil, and centrally located in the Mediterranean and have the highest concentration of landmarks per square mile in the world. Malta's accommodations can suit all tastes and seasons. Whether travelers are seeking a venue for a family holiday or a quiet hideaway, Malta offers deluxe options with health and spa centers as well as club hotels with a range of sport activities. Opportunities abound for sightseeing, outdoor recreational pursuits such as water sports and scuba diving, fine dining and enjoying the unusual character of these islands. For more information, please visit www.visitmalta.corn .
CONTACT:
Meghan Flanagan / Cecilia Coakley
Keatingpr 973.376.9300
Malta Tourist Office, 65 Broadway, Suite 823, New York, NY, 10006 USA. Telephone 212.430.3799. Facsimile 425-795-3425 office.us@tourism.org.mt
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Jazz Now
John Patitucci