Maltese acclaimed guitarist Simon Schembri will give a concert tomorrow in Valletta accompanied by the Parisii Quartet.

Schembri was already performing in concerts at the age of nine, moving on to be chosen as student of Master Alexandre Lagoya at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris by the age of 16, where he was awarded the top prize. He is international competitions laureate (Montelimar, Guitar Foundation of America and Young Concerts Artists of America) and member of the Yehudi Menuhin and George Cziffra Music Foundations.

Schembri demonstrates constant interest in the evolution of the guitar and has premiered several works, including some by Jacques Chailley, Erik Marchelie, Gordon Mizzi and Karl Fiorini.

The Parisii Quartet was founded over 30 years ago by four students from the Conservatory of Paris, all first prize laureates in both instrument and chamber music. Made up of Arnaud Vallin (first violin), Dorian Gable (second violin), Dominique Lobet (viola) and Jean-Philippe Martignioni (cello), the quartet now performs regularly throughout Europe and America and has also toured in the Far East. Their repertoire encompasses all the major classical and romantic works for string quartet.

Tomorrow’s concert includes works by Boccherini, Giuliani, Marchelie, Dyens, Piazzolla, Rigney, Albeniz and Barrios, and will be preceded by a talk. During this concert, the acclaimed virtuoso and the Paris-based quartet will also be launching a CD, The Maltese Touch, released on Austrian record label Gramola, one of the oldest classical music record labels in Europe, with the help of MSV Life.

■ The concert is taking place tomorrow at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta at 8pm with the talk starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are available through www.teatrumanoel.com.mt, bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt or 2124 6389.

Maltese guitarist Simon Schembri is giving a concert tomorrow at the Manoel Theatre. Photo: Gino Galea/ www.ginogalea.com