A cinematic night in Malta! The Big 3 brings Zimmer, Morricone and Williams to life

This January, Malta will host a spectacular celebration of some of the most recognisable music ever written for the big screen. The Big 3 – Cinematic Legends promises an evening where cinema, memory and the sheer power of live orchestral music come together in one major production.

On Saturday 16th January 2027 at 7.30pm, the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali will welcome The Big 3 – Cinematic Legends – Zimmer, Morricone, Williams and more, bringing the music of three legendary composers to life on a grand scale.

At the heart of the concert are Hans Zimmer, Ennio Morricone and John Williams – three composers whose distinctive musical languages have helped define generations of cinema.

Even those who rarely listen to orchestral music will almost certainly recognise their work. Their scores have accompanied distant galaxies, epic battles, sweeping landscapes, unforgettable heroes and some of cinema’s most intimate and emotional moments. In many cases, the music has become as famous as the films themselves.

The Big 3 takes these familiar sounds beyond the cinema screen and places them firmly centre stage.

International stars meet Malta’s finest musicians

Leading the performance is Gavin Greenaway, Music Director, conductor and pianist. One of the most respected figures in the international film-music concert world, Greenaway has enjoyed a long creative association with Hans Zimmer and brings extensive experience of conducting major cinematic productions.

Joining him is Rusanda Panfili, Artistic Director of The Big 3. The internationally acclaimed Moldovan violinist is renowned for her dynamic stage presence and expressive playing. Panfili has performed as a solo violinist with Hans Zimmer and alongside Andrea Bocelli, appearing on some of the world’s leading stages.

The line-up also features Pedro Eustache, an extraordinary multi-winds soloist whose command of an extensive range of traditional and contemporary instruments has made him one of the most distinctive musicians working in film music today. His recording credits include Hans Zimmer’s Academy Award-winning score for Dune, alongside numerous major Hollywood productions.

Completing the featured international artists is Carla Chamoun, a touring vocalist with The World of Hans Zimmer. Her voice adds another dimension to music created fundamentally around emotion, atmosphere and storytelling.

These internationally renowned performers will be joined by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and Kor Malta, bringing together international soloists with Malta’s leading professional orchestral and choral forces.

More than a film-music concert

Film music has a remarkable ability to transport us instantly. Sometimes, just a few notes are enough to recall a favourite character, a memorable scene or even the first time we experienced a particular film.

Hearing these scores performed live, however, offers something completely different.

The richness of a full string section, the brilliance of brass, the force of percussion, the human impact of a choir and the individuality of live soloists reveal details and emotions that can easily be missed on screen.

At MFCC, the scale of the venue will allow the production to combine orchestra, choir, international soloists, a contemporary rhythm section, lighting and specially created visual elements, transforming the space into an immersive cinematic environment.

It is this combination of symphonic performance and contemporary concert production that aims to make The Big 3 more than simply an evening of familiar film themes.

Malta – an island made for cinema

There is something particularly fitting about staging such a celebration in Malta.

The Maltese Islands have a longstanding relationship with international cinema. Their historic streets, imposing fortifications, harbours, coastline and distinctive architecture have provided settings for numerous major film and television productions.

For overseas audiences, The Big 3 also presents an opportunity to combine a major concert with a winter break in Malta – exploring Valletta, Mdina and the islands’ historic and cultural attractions before experiencing an international-scale production in the evening.

January reveals a different side of Malta: quieter and cooler than the peak summer months, but with its history, restaurants, culture and entertainment very much alive.

A Malta-developed production with international ambitions

Produced by Jemmbiz Events, in collaboration with RPL Malta and Calma Management, The Big 3 – Cinematic Legends is a Malta-developed production with an international outlook.

The artistic vision is led by Rusanda Panfili as Artistic Director, while Mro Dr Joseph Grech serves as Curator, bringing together the concept, repertoire, artists and international collaborations behind the production.

Importantly, The Big 3 has been conceived with ambitions extending beyond this first Malta performance, with the potential to take the production to international venues.

For film lovers, it is an opportunity to rediscover favourite scores. For orchestral-music enthusiasts, it offers the chance to experience cinematic repertoire performed on an impressive scale. And for those simply looking for a memorable night out, it promises a combination of music, spectacle and emotion.

Because long after the credits have rolled, there is one element of a great movie that often remains with us: the music.

The Big 3 – Cinematic Legends – Zimmer, Morricone, Williams and more takes place on Saturday 16 January 2027 at 7.30pm at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC), Ta’ Qali. Tickets start from €40. You can book your tickets via eventworks.mt.For further information, visit www.thebig3concert.com.