Memorable concert by Sliema Band

A standing ovation was given to Bulgarian tenor Kaludi Kaludov at the end of his recital of operatic arias during a concert by the Sliema Band, conducted by Mro Ronnie Debattista, held yesterday week at the Sir Temi Zammit auditorium of the University, Msida.

Kaludov gave a fine interpretation of favourite operatic arias, culminating in the ever popular Nessun dorma, from Puccini's Turandot, which he encored to acknowledge the tremendous reception he got from the audience.

The concert, which marked the 80th anniversary of the Sliema Band, also included the premiere of a work by Mro Debattista himself, entitled Approaching a New Horizon, which he wrote for the occasion. The work was praised for its originality and invention by the appreciative audience.

Sigmund Mifsud, assistant bandmaster, was the cornet soloist in Tribute to Harry James, a jazzy composition in "Swing" style, which provided a marked contrast to a mainly operatic programme.

The evening was graced with the presence of the President of Malta, Professor Guido de Marco, who expressed his admiration for the Sliema Band, describing the concert as the best he ever attended.

President de Marco congratulated President Emeritus Dr Censu Tabone, who will soon celebrate his 90th birthday, and who for 30 years was president of the Sliema Band Club.

Other speeches were made by Tourism Minister Dr Michael Refalo, whose ministry was the main sponsor of the evening, by the band club's president Dott. Tonio Portughese, and by former President Censu Tabone.

The evening ended with the Sliema hymn composed by Mro Cardenio Botti and conducted by him for the first time in 1933.