3rd Malta Festival of Ideas Opening Concert

Myths, Legends & Stories explores the enduring power of storytelling across cultures and centuries. Bernstein’s West Side Story Suite transforms Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet into a vibrant urban tragedy, while Ignacy Zalewski’s Mono no Aware reflects the Japanese awareness of beauty’s transience. Grieg’s elegant Holberg Suite reimagines the dances and musical language of an earlier age, before Shuhei Tamura’s The Night of Prometheus evokes the mythical figure who brought fire to humanity. The programme concludes with Gavin Whitlock’s lively Celtic Suite, a journey through nocturnal atmosphere, lyrical song and the infectious energy of a traditional ceilidh.

Melika Saxophone Quartet

Philip Attard, soprano saxophone

Joseph Vella, alto saxophone

Samuel Mallia, tenor saxophone

Godfrey Mifsud, baritone saxophone

Leonard Bernstein - West Side Story Suite

Ignacy Zalewski – Mono no Aware

Edward Grieg – Holberg Suite

Shuhei Tamura - The Night of Prometheus

Gavin Whitlock – Celtic Suite