Musical infusion at the Gran

Celine Schembri

The first Mediterranean Stars Festival powered by Radio Italia Live Il Concerto was held on 4 of October at the Granaries in Floriana, with 12 International artists fused together with three local artists, integrating culture, music and talent. Spectators from all over Europe attended eagerly to this one-time, free entrance, open-air event.

The Mediterranean Stars Festival and the Mediterranean Orchestra, comprised of sixty musicians, were led by Maestro Bruno Santori, who sported the Maltese cross across the back of his suit throughout the evening. The pre-show was presented by three local artists, Owen Leuellen, Nicole Frendo and Red Electrick. Owen Leuellen and Nicole Frendo are two upcoming local artists who rose to fame after their participation on X Factor Malta last year. Red Electrick (aka REK), a Maltese pop-rock band including five local musicians, also made their highlight whilst the Granaries began buzzing with enthusiasts for the concert. They debuted their new single Come Alive from their upcoming album Tragic Optimistic which was launched on 9 November.

Before the Mediterranean Stars Festival commenced, a short feature about the Mediterranean Orchestra and the Maltese Islands was projected on big screens overlooking the Granaries. In order to engage the audience before the actual concert is was broadcasted across International television stations, the ‘Mediterranean Overture’ a medley of three songs sung by three International artists, was performed. The Greek soprano, Dimitra Theodossiou performed an excerpt from ‘Nessun Dorma’, accompanied by the Mediterranean Orchestra. This was followed by the well-known Tunisian guitarist and singer Nabil Khemir, who made his appearance with an excerpt from his song ‘Nour El Ain’, where he played on his self-produced instrument Rayjam, an assembled double-neck guitar composed of an electric guitar and an oriental lute. The Overture ended with a fragment from the famous song ‘Bamboléo’ sung by the ItalianArgentinian singer Hernan Brando. The climax of this overture was reached when both ‘Nessun Dorma’ and ‘Bamboléo’ were fused together along with the voices of Maltese choristers projected on the main screen. The ‘Mediterranean Overture’ transpired the sound of crossculturalism between North Africa and Europe.

Soon after the countdown, the Italian presenters initiated the festival. Marco Maccarini and Manola Moslehi were on the main stage whilst Paoletta and Mauro Marino were taking comments from the audience and the latter was interviewing the artists backstage. Maccarini introduced the festival in three languages: Italian, English and even Maltese with his words ‘Il-lejla ttajba, kif intom?’.

The charismatic Alessandra Amoroso initiated the festival with her famous song ‘La

Stessa’. Amoroso is an Italian artist who won the Italian talent show Amici di Maria De Filippi in 2009. She engaged the audience by saying ‘Grazzi ta’ kollox Malta’. Her second pop song, ‘Forza e Coraggio’, issued earlier this year was performed right after and the audience came alive as they sang along to ‘Vivere a Colori’. Due to unforeseen circumstances and as announced weeks before, the Italian pop singer Emma Marrone was unable to take part in this festival. Amoroso was shortly followed by the winner of this year’s Sanremo Festival Alessandro Mahmoud (aka Mahmood). The Italian artist performed ‘Gioventù Bruciata’ and this year’s winning song ‘Soldi’, which brought the crowd singing along together before Mahmoud ended with ‘Barrio’, which was released only a month ago. ‘Tua per Sempre’ and ‘Se Piovesse il tuo Nome’ were performed by the Italian singer-songwriter Elisa Toffoli, who also sang ‘Luce (tramonti a nord est)’, accompanied by her husband Andrea Rigonat both on the bass and classical guitar. It was then the time for the local band ‘The Travellers’ to perform ‘Ħafi Paci Kuluri’. The band managed to engage very effectively the entire audience including foreigners present at the Granaries.

Regarded as one of the best reggae bands in Italy with an outstanding European tour held last year along with numerous sold out concerts, Boomdabash performed ‘Per un Milione’ and ‘Mambo Salentino’ accompanied by Alessandra Amoroso who performed with the band. The principal singer and songwriter of the pop rock group 883, Massimo Pezzali, famously known as Max Pezzali managed to maintain an energetic environment in the audience by performing three well known songs of his, ‘Sei un Mito’, ‘Welcome to Miami (south beach)’ and ‘Hanno Ucciso l’Uomo Ragno’. The evening was full of dynamic and versatile musical fusions. An Italian rapper and record producer, Cosomi Fini or Gué Pe