The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra’s 50th anniversary season is coming to an end on 22 June with a celebration of 19th century French music at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. And, with a 100-strong orchestra, under the direction of French conductor Raoul Lay and featuring Maltese soprano Gillian Zammit, it promises to be a night to remember. 

The concert, Berlioz le Fantastique, will commence with a rendition of French composer Claude Debussy’s ground-breaking 1898 symphonic poem Prélude à l’Après-midi d’un Faune. The work is inspired by a poem by Stéphane Mallarmé, who was originally displeased at the idea of his poem being used as the basis for music, but who found himself deeply moved by Debussy’s work when he attended its premiere.

It will then honour the work of the French Romantic composer Hector Berlioz, with a performance of two works of his most seminal works:  Les Nuits d’Été and his Symphonie Fantastique. Soprano Gillian Zammit will take to the stage for the song cycle Les Nuits d’Été, a musical setting of six poems by Théophile Gautier, Berlioz’s neighbour and friend. The poems deal with the progression of love, starting from its blossoming at a time of youthful innocence, to the anguish at its loss, and ending with the hope of its final, eternal, renewal.

The concert will close with Symphonie Fantastique, one of composer’s best-known pieces, which tells the story of an artist who poisons himself with opium whilst despairing over unrequited love. It is inspired by real-life events: the composer’s own infatuation with an Irish actress, Harriet Smithson, whom he had seen on stage but had never spoken to, and to whom he had sent numerous letters which went unanswered. 

Tickets to the concert may be purchased from here, or from the MCC’s box office.