April 7, 2008
The Sunday Times, Malta

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra ( leader Marcelline Agius) in collaboration with the Rev. Metropolitan Chapter and the St John’s CoCathedral Foundation, will perform the Messa da Requiem by Antonio Nani on Tuesday, April 15, at 8 p. m., at St John’s Co- Cathedral, Valletta.

Taking part will be Gillian Zammit, Nino Batatunashvili, Charles Vincenti and Anthony Montebello, and the Pro Canto Choir ( choir master Josef Bugeja) under the direction of Emanuel Spagnol.

The concert is being held under the distinguished patronage of the President Eddie Fenech Adami.

Soprano Gillian Zammit studied in Malta and in Italy and is a versatile performer with a repertoire that ranges from Baroque to 20th century opera. Following her appearance as Gilda in Rigoletto during the Manoel Theatre Opera Festival, the international magazine Opera described her as “ having all the qualities Verdi demands of his Gilda, which should fit her for an international career”.

Mezzo- soprano Nino Batatunashvili was born in Georgia in 1981 and graduated from the State Conservatory of Tbilisi ( Georgia). She has taken part in many operatic productions in Italy and this performance of Nani’s Requiem will be her third appearance in Malta.

Tenor Charles Vincenti has taken part in a number of operas. For bass Anthony Montebello, this performance of Nani’s Requiem is not his first; during his long career he has sung numerous other principal roles and main parts in operas, oratorios, cantatas and other sacred and secular works.

After his early musical training with his father Nazzareno, Emanuel Spagnol studied the horn and later joined the Manoel Theatre Orchestra and the National Orchestra as principal horn.

His performances of the Strauss and Mozart horn concertos were highly acclaimed, as were his numerous chamber music performances. This concert is supported by the Vodafone Malta Foundation, Bank of Valletta plc, Frank’s Perfumery, Air Malta plc and Music Link.