The Malta Independent on Sunday
Alex Manché & Marquis De Piro to headline event at Salesian Theatre
A pianist surgeon and art-loving Marquis take to the stage in an entertaining evening of poetry, music and song for St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral – Save Valletta’s Skyline Appeal
For one night only, art historian Marquis Nicholas De Piro and gifted pianist (and heart surgeon) Alex Manché will be leading a unique soirée of poetry, singing and music at the Teatru Salesjan.
Folly, Fantasy and Feeling, which will have one performance only on 27 February, will showcase a selection of locally-connected humorous and sentimental poems, composed by several poets and performed in English.
The evening’s entertainment will not only feature hilarious and thought-provoking Maltarelated poetry however – this one-of-a-kind performance will also include music, song and even a chorus line, in what promises to be a truly memorable event.
Folly, Fantasy and Feeling is the second poetry grand soirée to be presented by the Marquis and Manché in aid of the Save Valletta’s Skyline Appeal, following the highly-acclaimed Nostalgia, Notions and Nonsense also performed by the duo at the Salesian Theatre in April 2018.
Aiming to raise more than €8 million to fund vital restoration work on St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral in Valletta, an iconic structure in the capital city’s skyline, the Save Valletta’s Skyline Appeal is a cause close to Nicholas’ heart. “The Valletta skyline tells us an awful lot about our identity,” he says. “The Skyline Appeal reminds that we must preserve it at all costs, as a vital part of Malta’s cultural heritage.”
As a lover of art, poetry and Malta’s rich history, Marquis Nicholas de Piro has penned a number of anecdotal books and poems, and has recently opened Casa Rocca Piccola in Valletta, the home he shares with his wife Frances (Ding), to the public.
Although co-hosting Folly, Fantasy and Feeling as a pianist, Alex Manché is also a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at Mater Dei Hospital and set up the cardiothoracic unit in Malta in 1995.
The talented duo will be joined as co-hosts by fellow poetry and music-enthusiast Lucy Paterson, in this magnificent evening of entertainment, music and verse. ‘ Folly, Fantasy and Feeling’ will be performed for one night only at the Teatru Salesjan, Sliema from 6.30pm until 9pm on Wednesday, 27 February. Patrons are entitled to free parking. Tickets are available from the Teatru Manoel website booking.teatrumanoel.com.mt/ Event/12384/