Friggieri-Camilleri CD launched

A new CD, Mal-Kant tal-Bahar, with lyrics by Joe Friggieri and music by Charles Camilleri, has just been released, carrying seven songs and five dances, together with an instrumental piece for violin, cello and piano, called Love's Sorrow.

The songs are sung by Sophia Grech, the English mezzo-soprano who has been to Malta several times and who has given concerts all over Europe and in the United States.

The CD was launched during a cultural evening at the Castille Wine Vaults in Valletta, courtesy of Tony Zahra.

The event was very well attended and brought together a number of artists from different fields, including musicians, singers, poets, artists and performers.

The artwork and CD sleeve were designed by Tony Galea from JP Advertising and the painting featured on the CD, "Valletta Harbour View", is by artist James Vella Clark. During the event, the actual painting together with a new collection of paintings by Vella Clark were exhibited at the vaults.

The musicians performing on the first eight tracks are John Galea (piano), Sarah Spiteri (violin), Simon Abdilla Joslin (cello), Oliver De Gabriele (bass) and Joe Camilleri (percussion). The five dances are played by The Melita Ensemble. The recording was made by David Vella at Temple Studios.

The singers who performed at the launch were Godwin Lucas, Mary Rose Mallia, Mark Spiteri Lucas, Doreen Galea, Moira of Krave, Catherine Vigar, Corazon Mizzi, Ivan Spiteri Lucas and Vince Fabri. They sang songs written by Joe Friggieri over the last 30 years, with different composers.

Selections from Joe Friggieri's poetry were read by Marlene Psaila, Ninette Micallef and John Schranz. The evening was organised by Mark Spiteri Lucas and compered by Marbeck Spiteri.