International Spring Orchestra Festival to hold 12 Vienna-inspired performances

This year's International Spring Orchestra Festival will feature Viennese composers from different eras, as well as Viennese musicians, according to its artistic director

This edition of the ISO is an important one for me as it is a celebration of the music of the composer I most revere, and of Vienna, a city that keeps inspiring me - Karl Fiorini
This edition of the ISO is an important one for me as it is a celebration of the music of the composer I most revere, and of Vienna, a city that keeps inspiring me - Karl Fiorini

The 11 edition of the International Spring Orchestra Festival (ISO) will boast 12 concerts, revolving around the Austrian city of Vienna.

“The Festival will feature Viennese composers from different eras, as well as Viennese musicians in a programme that travels back in time to reach its climax with Beethoven’s Ninth 'Choral' Symphony," ISO’s artistic director Karl Fiorini said.

Spanning from 28 until 9 May, this year’s ISO will showcase a cast of international stars for the solo parts of Beethoven’s majestic symphony – Soprano Elisabeth Teige, Mezzo Marvic Monreal, Tenor Thomas Mohr and Baritone Franz Hawlata.

The Maltese choir, prepared by Riccardo Bianchi, will also merge with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir.

“This edition of the ISO, which marks the beginning of the second decennial in the festival’s life, is an important one for me as it is a celebration of the music of the composer I most revere, and of Vienna, a city that keeps inspiring me,” Fiorini said.

ISO will be held in various venues all over the Valletta, including at Pjazza Teatru Rjal, Our Lady of Victories Church, Auberge de Castille, Palazzo Pereira, the National Museum of Archaeology, Robert Samut Hall, and the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

As per tradition, all concerts will be free for anyone aged 15 and under.

Following every concert, audiences are welcome to meet the organisers and artists for dinner and drinks at Michael’s on Archbishop Street, Valletta.

The ISO Festival is supported by The Ministry for Finance, the 2017 Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU, Arts Council Malta, the ADRC Trust, Malta Enterprise, the Central Bank of Malta, the Ministry for Education and Employment, the Office of the Prime Minister, Griscti Advocates & Associates, and the French Embassy.