Feel the Magic of Orchestral Progressive Rock

Edward Mifsud announces the release of his new composition, Serquli, a song based on an eponymous poem by Ġorġ Peresso, performed by Dorothy Bezzina and Chris Grech, with accompaniment from a piano and a string trio. Serquli is part of the concept album Raġġ, which is set to premiere during Feel the Magic of Orchestral Progressive Rock on Saturday, 18 May at Teatru Astra, Gozo.

Raġġ is an orchestral work inspired by the progressive rock style, which originated in the UK in the early 1970s, with lyrics derived from Maltese poetry from the same era, namely Oliver Friggieri, Marjanu Vella, Ġorġ Peresso, Achille Mizzi, Joe Friggieri and Ġorġ Borg. Raġġ explores the dualities of hope and helplessness, secrecy and openness, individualism and collectivism, youth and old age, and life and death, which all fall within the work's overarching theme of light and darkness.

The programme will also feature music by prominent progressive rock bands ELP, Yes, King Crimson and Genesis, arranged and orchestrated by Edward Mifsud in the style of Raġġ.

Feel the Magic of Orchestral Progressive Rock forms part of the concert series Feel the Magic produced by Chorus Urbanus Productions and will feature the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Dr Mro John Galea, and special guests Dorothy Bezzina and Chris Grech. Tickets are available online from teatruastra.org.mt.

This project is generously supported by Arts Council Malta, the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, the Cultural Heritage Directorate, Melita Foundation, APS Bank and Teatru Astra.