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Party On Campus Frisk, the official party which is meant to introduce freshers to the lighter side of university life will be held on campus tomorrow. DJs Jeff and Jesmar and fire jugglers will provide the entertainment. Entrance is free and open to university students over 16. The party is organised by Kunsill Studenti Universitarji (KSU) with other student bodies.

Third in song festival Olivia Lewis placed third in the Golden Stag Festival held in Romania, one of the largest in Europe. The event was won by Linda, an Italian singer of Romanian descent. Guest singers were Joe Cocker and Natalie Imbruglia.

A musical window on the Great Siege 1565 The Musical is being performed again, this time as part of the Historic Cities Festival. Written by Malcolm Galea with music by Paul Abela, the musical was premiered last February. The concert version will be held at Fort St Angelo in Vittoriosa on Saturday at 7.30 p.m. The central characters are the young knight Henri and his friend Alessandro. As the Great Siege of 1565 begins, they are eagerly looking forward to the adventures ahead. But when Henri falls in love with Anna, the stakes are suddenly raised. All three struggle to avoid the fate that destiny seems to have laid out for them. The musical is a Masquerade Theatre Company production directed by Anthony Bezzina. Tickets at Lm5 can be purchased from the Malta Tourism Authority ticketing booth at City Gate in Valletta until Saturday, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and from 4.30 to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets may also be purchased online. www.maltafestivals.com www.masquerademalta.com

Cultural fare on Sundays Visitors being shown round Verdala Palace during the series of cultural tours earlier this year. Another series of four educational and cultural tours taking place on Sunday mornings will focus on prehistoric temples, magnificent palaces and chapels. The first tour will be held on October 16 visiting Naxxar, Mosta and Burmarrad. The second, on November 6, will cover heritage sites in Xemxija, Selmun and Mellieha. On December 4, visitors will be taken to Ghar Dalam, Il-Maqluba and Hagar Qim. A special tour of Christmas cribs in various localities will be held on December 18. Tickets are available from the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, 230 Republic Street, Valletta. For more information call Noel D'Amato on 2123 2515. Bookings and payments can be made by noon on October 12. The tours are organised by the Ministry for Tourism and Culture, the Malta Tourism Authority, the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts and Heritage Malta. http://timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=201322

Jailed for handling stolen DVDs A man was jailed for five months when he admitted to handling over Lm100 worth of stolen DVDs and relapsing. Magistrate Giovanni Grixti heard Alexander Cardona, 38, plead guilty to handling the stolen DVDs on April 26 and the previous days. Police Inspector Joseph Mercieca prosecuted. http://timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=201314

Pirated material seized The police between January and August seized 168,413 pirated DVDs, audio CDs, video films, game CDs, audio cassettes and VCDs, Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg told Jason Azzopardi (PN) in reply to a parliamentary question.

Austrian band chooses Maltese songs Two songs by Scream Daisy, Comeback and Can You Feel It? have been selected by Band Union of Austria to feature in their compilation, BandUnion V. The compilation features acts from Malta and Austria and will be officially launched at the Planet Music concert hall in Vienna on Sunday. The CD will be released in the two countries. www.bandunion.com

The Lunchtime Concert presents Euphonium in Concert by di-ve.com Jesmond Azzopardi, AnnMarie Chetcuti and Roderick Bugeja Wednesday, 11 May, 2005 Soloists Jesmond Azzopardi and Roderick Bugeja accompanied on the piano by AnnMarie Chetcuti will present Euphonium in Concert for the forthcoming Lunchtime Concert. Organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, the concert will be held on Wednesday 11th May 2005 at the Sala Isouard, Manoel Theatre, Valletta, at 12.35pm. Admission is free. The Euphonium repertoire includes Midnight Euphonium by Goof Richards, Salut d'Amour by Edward Elgar, Jackie's Song by Julian Lloyd Webber and Two Faure Duets arranged by Steven Mead among others. Jesmond Azzopardi recently obtained the A.T.C.L diploma of the Trinity College of Music in Euphonium Performing. He started to play the Euphonium under the tuition of Mr. Joe Falzon and furthered his studies under the direction of Mro Paul Borg. He studied theory of music under the direction of Mro Lawrence Borg. In 2001 Jesmond won a scholarship to the London College of Music in London. He forms part of the Versatile Brass Ensemble, the much-acclaimed Mediterranean Brass Quintet and the Euphoria Quartet. He plays regularly at St. James Cavalier and the Manoel Theatre. Jesmond is also an active brass instruments teacher at the 12th May Band Club in Zebbug (Malta) and St. Mary Band Club in Dingli. Jesmond currently forms part as a sub-principal Trombone player with the National Orchestra of Malta. Roderick Bugeja started music lessons at the Johann Strauss School of Music. He continued his studies with Mro Paul Borg and in 1995 he obtained the LLCM diploma and the FLCM diploma in 1997. He forms part of the Maltese National Orchestra where he plays the role of principal trombone. With the euphonium he competed in national competitions and played as a soloist with local bands and international euphonium players, such as Robert Childs. He started teaching at the Catholic Institute and later on at Pinto Band Club, Qormi, where he is currently the assistant conductor. He is also the conductor of the Victory Band Club Naxxar. AnnMarie is a holder of the Licenciate of the Royal Schools of Music, London and the Licenciate of the Trinity College of Music in Pianoforte Performing. To her credit, she also holds both the Licenciate and Fellowship of the London College of Music in Professional Viola Performing. AnnMarie has given concerts as soloist, ensemble and orchestral playing locally and abroad on both instruments. In December 1999, she placed first as violist in the mature category at the Young Musicians Competition for Strings and was awarded a scholarship at the Thames Valley University in London. As accompanist, AnnMarie is a regular, accompanying the top musicians on the island. She also accompanied international cellist, Julian Lloyd Webber last February at a Classical Connections Concert organised by the Malta Trade Fairs Corporation. AnnMarie is currently employed as Principal Violist with the Malta National Orchestra and is the pianist of ANSTAN Piano Trio. Further information on cultural activities can be obtained from www.maltaculture.com

by di-ve.com Tuesday, 10 May, 2005 Renaissance Productions Ltd (RPL) is organising a cultural, musical treat of the highest level for the Maltese public. On July 9, 2005 the world renowned Maestro, Riccardo Muti, will perform at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta. Mro. Muti is being accompanied by his 85 member Luigi Cherubini Orchestra, each one having been handpicked by the Maestro himself. Riccardo Muti has had a long and distinguished career. He was Musical Director of Opera and Classical music at La Scala in Milan for 20 years, and has conducted operas and concerts in all of the greatest theatres and festivals in the world. His dark long hair and young looks have become his visual trademark and his name a mark of great quality. Two years ago he has selected 85 musicians to form the Luigi Cherubini Orchestra which is based in Piacenza. This talented group of musicians, together with their famous conductors, are set to take the musical world by storm as they intend to travel and perform in various countries in the near future. It is indeed an honour for Malta and a feather in the cap of Renaissance Productions Ltd. that Malta will be the first concert outside Italy for both Maestro Muti and the Orchestra Cherubini. In fact, talks are also underway with Italian TV stations to broadcast the performance. It is events of this calibre that will place Malta firmly on the cultural map. To this effect both the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Michael Frendo, and the Minister for Tourism and Culture, Francis Zammit Dimech, are also involved. The directors for Renaissance Productions Ltd., Dr. Anton Tabone and Mr. Amabile Zammit, have indicated that Muti's performance in Malta will be followed by other major quality cultural events both in Malta & Internationally. Quality is desirable but also expensive and the company is seeking local corporate sponsors to be associated with these events which will help make them more financially accessible to the general Maltese public. BIOGRAPHY OF RICCARDO MUTI Born in Naples in 1941, winner of the Cantelli Prize in 1967, Riccardo Muti has been Musical Director of La Scala since 1986. From 1980 to 1992 he was Musical Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, which he has led on several tours. From 1968 to 1980 he was Principal Director and Musical Director of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino. Since 1972 he has conducted the Philharmonia Orchestra in London, achieving such success as to be nominated Principal Director, successor to Otto Klemperer. In 1979 he was nominated their Principal Director, and in 1982 "Conductor Laureate". In 1987 Riccardo Muti was nominated Principal Director of the Scala Philharmonic Orchestra, with which in 1988 he received the Viotti d'Oro and with which he went on tour in Italy and in Europe. In 1996 Muti conducted the Vienna Musikverein Philharmonic at the closing of the Viennese Festival Week and in a triumphant tour in the Far East (Japan, Korea, Hong Kong) and in Germany. Since 1971 he has been a regular participant of the Salzburg Festival, conducting operas and concerts. His Mozart opera performances have become an important tradition of the Festival over the years. Apart from La Scala, Muti has conducted operatic productions in Philadelphia, Munich, Vienna and London, and at the Ravenna Festival. He is a regular guest of the Berlin Philharmonic and the Viennese Philharmonic (who have honoured him with the Golden Ring, reserved for the greatest orchestra directors of the world) with which in 1988 he completed a European tour and whom he conducted most recently at La Scala, in 1994. Still on the concert platform of the Viennese Philharmonic in January 1991, he conducted in Salzburg the Concerto with which he opened the Mozart celebrations, in 1992 the celebrated concert of 150 years of the orchestra, and on 1 January 1993 and 1997 the famous New Year's concert (which he will conduct also in the year 2000). In April 1994 Riccardo Muti, after a series of concerts in Vienna, directed the Viennese Philharmonic on tour in Germany and France and has conducted the Mass in B minor by Bach in Vienna and Dresden. In 1996 he conducted the Viennese Philharmonic in the celebratory concert for the millenium of Austria as well as Roberto De Simone's edition of Mozart's Cosi fan tutte at the Ravenna Festival. He has been to Japan (1988 and 1995) with the Teatro alla Scala as well as Germany, Russia and France where, in 1988, he conducted Verdi's Requiem Mass in the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. In 1989 the triumphant tour of La Scala in Russia was applauded by eminent personalities in the political and cultural realm, counting amongs others Michail Gorbachov and Andrej Sacharov. In July 1992 Riccardo Muti conducted Verdi's La Traviata and the Requiem Mass in a prestigious tour by the Teatro alla Scala in Seville, Madrid and Barcelona, marking the event of Expo '92. In October of the same year he conducted the Scala Orchestra and Chorus in two concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York. In 1994 he conducted the Orchestra of Teatro alla Scala at the Alte Oper in Frankfurt. In 1995 he conducted a new production of La Traviata at the Salzburg Festival with the Viennese Philharmonic and in September of the same year La Traviata, Falstaff and the Requiem Mass by Verdi in a triumphant tour of La Scala in Tokyo. In 1995 he inaugurated the Scala opera season with Mozart's Magic Flute and, ten years after his debut as Musical Director, he has again proposed Nabucco by Verdi. In his role as Director of Music at the Teatro alla Scala, Riccardo Muti has conducted the more popular scores of the young Verdi, such as Nabucco and Attila, as well as the first two operas of the romantic trilogy - La Traviata and Rigoletto. He has presented the Da Ponte trilogy by Mozart and given an impulsive exploration of the neo-classical repertoire rarely performed, such as Lodoiska by Luigi Cherubini and La Vestale by Gaspare Spontini. Having already conducted Der Fliegende Hollander and Parsifal, the Wagnerian engagement by Riccardo Muti was devoted to the Ring cycle, opening with Die Walkure (December 1994) and continuing with Das Rheingold (May 1996). During the 1994-95 season Muti conducted Arrigo Boito's Mefistofele for the first time. On 18 May 1996 he conducted the extraordinary concert for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the reconstruced hall of the Teatro alla Scala, and on 7 December he inaugurated the season of the Scala with Armide by Gluck. In April 1997 he conducted Wagner's Siegfreid at La Scala, and in May Le Nozze di Figaro. Still in the course of 1997 during the celebrations for the Schubert bicentenary, heading the Viennese Philharmonic he conducted an important series of concerts, including the prestigious performance at the Dome of Santo Stefano in Vienna where he conducted the Mass in E flat major D 950. During his career Riccardo Muti has obtained numerous awards and academic honours: from the University of Philadelphia and from Mount Holyhoke College in Massachussets, from the Warwick University in England, from Westminster College Choir in Princeton and from the Italian University of Bologna, Urbino and Cremona. Riccardo Muti is an honorable member of the Royal Academy of Music, the Academy of Santa Cecilia, and the Luigi Cherubini Academy in Florence. He is Grande'Ufficiale (Great Official) and Cavaliere of Gran Croce of the Italian Republic. He has been honoured with Order of the Cross from the Federal Republic of Germany, with the Cross of Honour from the Republic of Austria and with the Commendatore Cross of the Cavalieri in Malta. In December 1992 he was awarded the Legion of Honour by the French Republic. He is citizen of Philadelphia, Florence, Ravenna, Molfetta, Tredozio, Maiolati Spontini, Busseto and Milano. "Muti stands out as one of those rare conductors who can make an orchestra surpass itself." Andrew Clark, Financial Times, April 15, 1996

Corkskrew reviewed in prestigious Classic Rock magazine by di-ve.com Monday, 09 May, 2005 The band has recently received a very good rating and review on the prestigious UK rock magazine Classic Rock, available also in Maltese newsagents. The band's recent album No Ordinary Maybe received an eight out ten rating in the May issue of Classic Rock, with the reviewer added that Corkskrew is a "very promising band...". The review read: "Apart from Krokus frontman Marc Storace, Malta has had little to offer to the rock world. But Corkskrew may change that. Their first album, Micromania, was more Cardigans-like synth pop rock, but this new record finds them in a different mood that's heavy on the guitar. A very promising band indeed." This is the second time that Corkskrew featured in Classic Rock. In 2002, the band was featured in a regular column on new emerging acts around the world. Over the past years, the band received many encouraging reviews on international publications, including a half-page feature on the US-based indie-rock magazines Lollipop and Amplifier, following the successful radio-promotion deal in the States. Meanwhile, Corkskrew latest single from their latest album, Insomniac, has also reached high positions on local radio station charts, hitting top five positions. The CD album No Ordinary Maybe, which contains the hit singles Blind Spot and Insomniac, is available for sale at Exotique and D'Amato. For more information visit www.corkskrew.net

by di-ve.com Chiara signing the compact dics during the official launch of her CD 'Angel' Thursday, May 05, 2005 The Malta Song Board has unveiled its website: www.maltasong.com. The website presents latest news and a photo gallery. It will also include live streaming of events. As is expected, the emphasis of the new website for the coming weeks will be on Chiara and her song 'Angel', Malta's entry for Eurovision 2005. The website includes Chaira's biography, the lyrics of 'Angel' and Chiara's Video that one can download. The site also includes the list of participants who will be competing in this year's Eurovision edition in Kiev, Ukraine. In the meantime, the Malta Song Board is busy promoting Chiara in Malta and overseas. The launching of the compact disc 'Angel' was officially held recently at Bay Street Complex. The cd includes 3 tracks 'Angel', 'Another piece of my heart', and 'Don't wanna let you go'. Chiara interpreted the song 'Angel' and then signed the compact discs for her fans. Last week, the Malta Song Board launched another cd entitled 'Eurolivin'. The launching was held at the Golden Tulip Vivaldi Hotel. 'Eurolivin' is a one track cd which is the opening song of the Malta Song for Europe Festival by all the finalist singers. All proceeds from sale of this compact disc will go towards the Puttinu Cares for Children Fund. The Hon Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and the Hon Minister for Tourism and Culture Dr Francis Zammit Dimech attended this event. Both 'Angel' and ?Eurolivin' are on sale from all leading music outlets. "We have always seen it as a priority to promote Maltese singers in Malta and abroad. This website version is the first step to reach the widest possible audience," said Ms Grace Borg, Chairman of Malta Song Board. "In the coming weeks we shall be further enhancing this site." The Malta Song website has been ably created and designed by alert Communications Limited, who are amongst the leading web developers on the island, in collaboration with BPC Limited and Mr Martin Gauci from the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts. www.maltasong.com

by Charlotte Bonavia, di-ve news ([email protected]) La Barokka New Single to be released next week Thursday, 05 May, 2005 Soprano La Barokka has just launched her first official music video for the classical/RnB song called "You" which was shot mainly in central London last February. During the launch, La Barokka said that Maltese director Marvin Baldacchino, who is currently working and studying at the New York Film Academy in London, immediately took to the song. The teachers of Mr Baldacchino also liked it so they gave him the go-ahead to produce a video for it. La Barokka wearing short sleeves in the cold London temperatures is shot in popular areas such as the London Eye and Piccadilly Square. Maltese RnB artist Pendemonium also features in both the song and video. Mr Baldacchino said that it took him and a team of other five persons a total of four days to shoot the filming using 16mm. La Barokka also launched her first website www.labarokka.com which was created by Verve Studios, directed by Andrew Spiteri. Besides up-to-date news about the artist, tracks can be heard and the new video can be downloaded. All those who would like to keep in contact with La Barokka, may do so by sending emails which will be answered by the singer herself. "That way I can communicate with people," she said. Moreover in around one week, she is expected to release a new Single, called "No doubt about it" which include more RnB beats aimed at younger generations. Both songs were produced by Freetime Studios, written by Robert Govus while the music was composed by Elton Zarb. Tonio Cardona took care of the mixing for "You". In Video: You - La Barokka

by Mauro Calleja Friday, 06 May, 2005 Urban Network presents Diva, at Axis on 13th May, launching a series of monthly events featuring chic foreign vocalists and soulful uplifting house DJs. Kathy Brown, first guest on the night now stands proud as one of house music's true Divas. The lady, started out in the music industry in much the same way as many of her own lady heroines; Patty La Belle, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Martha Wash. Her style has evolved through the years from soulful RnB to the more RnB house flavoured direction and is often compared to Whitney and Aretha; always chic, always smooth, yet with an underlying hard edge for the full effect. Kathy Brown has enjoyed success with tracks such as: "Make me feel like singing" on AM:PM records, "Happy People" on Blaze productions, "Joy" with David Morales on Azuli, worked on Chanta Moore's track "I'll never find another love" and co-wrote Gloria Gaynor's "Got to be forever." She has also worked with Kenny Dope Gonzales, Little Louie Vega and Cevin Fisher and was responsible for the vocals on three Defected tracks. Performed also with Danny Rampling, Antoine Clamaran, Cream Ibiza, Hed Kandi, Seamus Haji, Major Boys, Una Mas, Ministry of Sound sessions and the latest with Soul Central -- Strings of Life (stronger on my own) Please don't hesitate to send your feedback and comments on [email protected] DJs on the night include: Miss Roberta, Steve Caesar, Conrad Heal, Duncan F, Carlito and Tony Toni. Hosted by MC Treble (UK). This event is sponsored by Liaise Entertainment London, Photo Classic, Bay Radio, Limousine services.

by di-ve.com Saturday, 07 May, 2005 'TWO AM - a night of alternative music bliss' is a party organised by AM promotions from the website www.alternativemalta.com. Alternative Malta is the portal of the local alternative music scene. TWO AM will be held on Saturday 7 May at NAAFI canteen, Valletta. This is the second party organised by AM. The first was held on Xmas Eve 2004, also at NAAFI, with an attendance of over 300 people. Clips and photos from the last party here: www.alternativemalta.com/xclusive.htm The music will be the best in alternative, indie, punk and rock. The DJs for the night are: Alison Galea (lead singer of Beangrowers), music critic Robert Pisani and Jeanz (who used to DJ at the Alley at its heyday in the 90s). Robert's set will feature indie-pop, post-punk and contemporary rock, while Jean will play an eclectic set spanning classics from the 70s up to the present day. Alison will be presenting a more groovy, danceable set spanning Blondie to Fatboy Slim to the funky beats of the 70s. Tickets are selling at Lm2 (Lm2.50 at the door). Bookings can be done by email: [email protected] or calling: Luigi - 9945-9555/Tim - 99848199 More info at www.alternativemalta.com

by di-ve.com Dripht, The Strays and Bus Stop Live at Boogie Bar Sunday, 08 May, 2005 Dripht, The Strays and Bus Stop will be rocking the Boogie Bar (Ball Street, Paceville) in a live concert on Sunday 8th May 2005. (Doors open at 6.30pm. Entrance Fee Lm2) The concert is being organized in aid of Centru Tbexbix a community service project in Cottonera by the Ananda Marga Women's Welfare Department. The aim of the project is to provide free social support and educational services for local women, adolescents and children, and aims to help the Cottonera community in the development of its human resources, thus helping bring about socio-economic independence. The Centre is located in a 10-roomed, 17th Century house that is currently undergoing extensive restoration. The project team has already carried out significant restoration works on the property. Activities organized in Centru Tbexbix shall comprise Literacy classes for children and adults; Computer courses and internet access for students from low-income families; Homework support; Art and music classes for children; Stress management courses for women; Yoga courses; Daily or sleep-in seminars; Cookery classes; Health promotion sessions; Child care; Reading and answering letters; Morning programme for the elderly. The literacy classes have already commenced in temporary premises. The concert is being organized in collaboration with Reciprocal Records, www.reciprocalrecords.com