On January 14, 2010, the life and works of the late Charles Camilleri - who came to be esteemed as one of the greatest composers of Malta - were celebrated at a concert at St James’s Church in Piccadilly, London.
This concert was part of the Camilleri Festival, a collection of concerts on the first anniversary from Mro Camilleri’s demise. On the same day as the Piccadilly Concert, another concert was held at Brake Hall, Ashford, Kent.
A further 2 concerts were held at the Teatru Manoel on January 16 and 17, the latter under the patronage of the Prime Minister and Mrs Catherine Gonzi.
The idea for this festival stemmed out of a promise to Charles Camilleri, made by the festival organiser and artistic director Maria Blanco, to keep the composer’s music alive.
The concert programme at St James’s Church, as put together by Maria Blanco, ranged works rooted in Maltese folklore to more mystical compositions. One highlight of this programme was the World Premiere of ‘Sonata for Two Clarinets’ which was received so well by the audience.
Most of the musicians performing Charles Camilleri’s works that evening had collaborated with the composer during their musical career, with particular mention of Maria Blanco (piano), Laura Falzon (flute) and the Filarmonika Orchestra conducted by Brian Schembri.
In the presence of Charles Camilleri’s daughter Anya, the High Commissioner of Malta, Joseph Zammit Tabona, paid tribute to Charles Camilleri for being a “prolific Maltese composer with a worldwide reputation”, honouring Malta in international music circles and reviving traditional Maltese and Mediterranean folk styles. High Commissioner Zammit Tabona made extensive reference to the time Charles Camilleri spent in London and his accomplishments as a light music arranger, conductor and most of all composer. He also remarked how Charles Camilleri used to refer to London as his second home.
Prior to the concert, a reception was held at the Malta High Commission, just across the road from St James’s Church in Piccadilly.
The Camilleri Festival benefitted from the support of the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts; Teatru Manoel; the Malta High Commission, London; the Malta Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport; The National Lotteries Good Causes Fund of the Malta Ministry of Finance, the Economy and Investment; The University of Sheffield; the Malta Tourism Authority; HSBC Bank Malta plc; and the Malta Arts Fund.
