TOI TOI Easter Concert: A Night of ‘Movie Magic’ at the Manoel

Imagine this: the grand Manoel Theatre, Malta’s national theatre, bathed in the soft glow of stage lights. The air is electric with anticipation. The audience, a sea of eager faces, awaits the moment when the curtain rises, revealing not a stage set, but a symphony orchestra ready to transport them into the magical world of cinema. This was the scene last Saturday night as the TOI TOI Easter Concert kicked off with a bang, or rather, a crescendo.

From Silent Films to Blockbusters

The concert, titled ‘Movie Magic’, was a musical journey through time, taking the audience from the silent film era to modern-day blockbusters. Under the baton of Maestro Michael Laus, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) brought to life iconic film scores that have echoed through cinemas and left audiences spellbound for decades.

The evening opened with the rousing ‘Also sprach Zarathustra’ by Richard Strauss, famously used in the opening credits of ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’. The powerful brass section filled the theatre, sending shivers down the spines of the audience. This was followed by a medley of themes from classic silent films, including Charlie Chaplin’s ‘Modern Times’ and Buster Keaton’s ‘The General’. The MPO’s string section shone here, capturing the whimsy and nostalgia of these timeless films.

Malta’s Own Movie Magic

But the concert wasn’t just about international hits. It also paid tribute to Malta’s own film industry. The audience was treated to a suite from ‘Il-Ghajnejja’, a Maltese film scored by local composer Alex Vella Gregory. The piece, a hauntingly beautiful blend of traditional Maltese music and modern orchestration, was met with enthusiastic applause from the local crowd.

Another highlight was the performance of ‘The Hobbit’ suite by Howard Shore. The MPO, joined by the TOI TOI Children’s Choir, brought to life the enchanting world of Middle-earth. The choir’s pure voices soared above the orchestra, creating a magical atmosphere that had the audience on the edge of their seats.

An Encore Worth Waiting For

The concert ended with a standing ovation, and the audience was treated to an encore performance of John Williams’ iconic ‘Star Wars’ main theme. As the first notes of the ‘Force Theme’ echoed through the theatre, the audience was once again transported to a galaxy far, far away, a testament to the power of music to evoke emotion and stir the imagination.

As the audience filed out of the Manoel, the streets of Valletta were alive with the buzz of conversation. The TOI TOI Easter Concert had once again proven itself to be a highlight of Malta’s cultural calendar, a night of ‘Movie Magic’ that will be remembered for years to come.

Next year’s concert is already something to look forward to. But for now, let’s raise a glass to Maestro Laus and the MPO for another stunning performance. Here’s to many more nights of musical magic at the Manoel!