A taste of Austrian culture

The appointment of an Austrian Ambassador resident in Malta, which had last happened in the late 18th century, will be marked by a concert presented by the Austrian Consulate in Malta in collaboration with Malta International Airport.

The concert in honour of newly-appointed Austrian Ambassador Elizabeth Kehrer will be held on June 8 at the Manoel Theatre, in Valletta.

It will feature Austrian and Maltese popular music that appeals equally to connoisseurs of the classical genre as well as lay music lovers, not necessarily endowed with a trained ear.

The programme, a spokesman for the promoters said, has been designed to give a musical portrait of Austria that not only crosses stylistic boundaries but also shows that the country is similar to Malta in that it has always been a melting pot of nationalities, languages, religions and cultures, which have evolved its unmistakeable and unique identity.

Many of the "Austrian" composers to be featured in the concert were not born in Austria. Nonetheless they found their spiritual and cultural home in Vienna and in this city they created their immortal masterpieces.

Kanti Popolari, music by Charles Camilleri and lyrics by Joe Friggieri, will close the classic first part of the concert which will also include arias by Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert and Mozart.

Many are likely to be surprised to learn that on its arrival in the musical scene, the waltz was regarded as morally unacceptable and damaging to health! Fortunately this view has changed and the Viennese waltz has, not least through its performance in the Golden Hall of the Vienna Musikverein on New Year's Day, had a triumphal impact around the entire globe.

Excerpts from the Strauss family masterpieces, a favourite with the Maltese audience, will open the second part, followed by the melodious Franz Lehar and the more recent and much-loved Rodgers and Hammerstein.

To epitomise, a taste of traditional sentimental songs of praise from the pen of some of the most authentic Viennese composers and musicians like Johann Schrammel will close the programme, including also a tribute to Malta. Besides leading Maltese soprano Lydia Caruana, a most welcome return will be Austrian baritone Benno Schollum and newcomer to Malta soprano Gabriele Kridl. They will be accompanied by Stephan Paryla-Raky on voice and Viennese counter guitar and by Russel Ryan on the pianoforte.

A highlight of the programme will be the soloists of the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, the renowned string quartet with Ludwig Muller and Barna Kobori at the violin, Georg Hamann at the viola and Michael Williams at the cello.