(17 March 2017) The Italian Cultural Institute in Valletta offers the public a combination of two of the finest and most popular arts that are accessible to all: poetry and music. "Mi manca il mare" (I Miss the Sea) is the title of the Friday March 17th evening programme 17 (18.30). Corrado Calabrò, poet and writer, will read his poetic songs in Italian (in English translation available in the evening’s pamphlet). Jesmond Sharples, President of Ghaqda Maltin Poets will read some of Calabrò’s poems in Maltese. The programme also includes a concert by the Astor Duo, Mº Fabio Maida (guitar) and Mº Angelo Palmeri (oboe) and music by T. Albinoni, A. Piazzolla, F. Tarrega, V. Bellini, J. Rodrigo, R. Dyens, C. Machado, E. Morricone, and M. Ravel. "We will have the pleasure and honourr to hear some of Calabrò’s most well-known poems directly from the artist translated for the first time into Maltese and recited by the president of the Maltese Poets Association. It is impossible to capture the impressive poetic biography of the author in a few lines. Born on the coast in Reggio Calabria, he wrote his first volume of poems between the ages of eighteen and twenty, and published in 1960 by Guanda of Parma with the title ‘Prima attesa’ (First wait). This was followed by another eighteen volumes, including ‘Mi manca il mare’ (Genesis Publishing, 2013). His works have been translated into various languages, from the most common to the rarest. Some of his poems were recorded onto CDs and interpreted by acclaimed performers, and performed on theatre stages in various Italian cities as well as abroad. Calabrò received numerous literary prizes and awards as well as several Honorary degrees from prestigious universities” according to the ICI website. (Red)

THE ASTOR DUO

The original Astor Duo originated in Sicily for the “3rd International Music Week” thanks to Alirio Diaz, the creator and promoter of this musical project. The Venezuelan Maestro saw in these two musicians a great personality, exquisite musical talent, a rigorous repertoire, virutosismo and the unique quality of their performances. Today the Astor Duo performs in many concerts for various Italian musical associations and has a vast repertory of authors that span from the Renaissance to date, and most importantly, and new musical arrangements soon to be released.