The medieval Church of Santa Marija ta’ Bir Miftuh c 1450 in Gudja, with its unique frescos of the Last Judgment, fluted arches and perfect acoustics provides an exceptional back drop to the high calibre international artists who perform during this Festival.
The third and final concert, which takes place on Saturday 18th June, is a Flute and Harpsichord recital by Jean-Christophe Sampson (Flute), Sophie Charpentier (Harpsichord) and has been made possible through the kind efforts of the French Embassy and the Alliance Francaise.
Jean-Christophe Sampson started studying the flute at the age of ten with the Trio d’Argent and received his first Award of Excellence from the city of Senart in 2001. He also won the Lutece Flute Competition. He perfected his studies with Professors Prats, Bernold, Deboste and Larrieu. He is a graduate from the Ecole Polytechnique and holds an MBA from INSEAD. Jean-Christophe Sampson regularly gives concerts of chamber music and poetry in Paris and has founded the Trio Vinteuil. He has performed with reputable artists in France, Russia, Argentina and Turkey and played at prestigious venues such as L’Opera National de Paris, the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow and the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. He is currently director of the Festival Mai Musical of Aÿ Champagne near Épernay.
Sophie Charpentier studied in France with Professors Pontet, Longellé and Stocchetti and at the Conservatoire of Geneva with Professor Jaccottet. She is the winner of a Gold Medal Award, both in harpsichord and flute. She conducts choral recitals and is the founder of various vocal ensembles performing in adaptations of operas, polyphonic repertoires and contemporary creations. As a harpsichord and flute performer, she dedicates herself to chamber and orchestral music, playing with other distinguished musicians and with renowned ensembles and orchestras. Sophie Charpentier is Professor at the Conservetoire de Bagnois-sur-Cèze (Gard). She also takes a keen interest in musical theatre, vocal jazz and contemporary opera.
This concert features works by Johann Sebastian Bach, so lovers of this great composer will be enraptured by the beauty of his captivating music throughout the evening.
The concert starts at 8pm and tickets are Euros 20 per person including refreshments in the Church grounds. Booking is through the offices of Din l-Art Helwa at 133, Melita Street, Valletta. For more information, please call 21220358/21225952 or email on info@dinlarthelwa.org [1].