Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1472276
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 JULY 2022 7 MUSIC A brilliant final awaits AFTER a gruelling contest, five finalists will go head-to-head on Friday in Malta's first TV talent show for musicians, Brillanti. Produced and presented by vet- eran TV personality and violinist Joseph Chetcuti, the first season of Brillanti draws to a close with a breath-taking final that will see the winner take home a cash prize of €10,000 and the chance to play as a soloist with an in- ternally renowned orchestra, all expenses paid by the European Foundation for Support of Cul- ture. Brillanti airs on ONE TV and was intended as a platform for musicians striving for success, popularity and recognition and giving them the opportunity to display their talent. Initially, musicians from all walks of life flocked to audi- tion and from more than 200 applicants, 50 were shortlisted for the initial auditions. These were shortlisted to 20, who pro- gressed to the Bravura round. At this point, 12 semi-finalists were chosen, until these were whittled down to five finalists. And who will the winner be? For sure they must be the one that will impress most the pan- el of judges: The chairman of the jury, Wayne Marshall, who in the year 2021 was awarded the OBE by Queen Elizabeth II, Nicolà Said a soprano diva with immense talent, Albert Storace a music reviewer for more than 40 years, Mro. Guilio Mazzocante an internationally renowned Italian pianist and Maestro and Mro. Alan Chircop, a Maltese conductor. For Joseph Chetcuti, Brillan- ti has been a dream come true. "We have created a Made in Malta competition of the high- est and most respected calibre with top notch participants and excellent production! We have shown everybody that we have the talent and soul to produce a series that respects the name it proudly bears – and we have and shall continue to strive for noth- ing but Brillanti." And who are the five finalists? Will the winner be Georg Zam- mit – an officer in the Armed Forces of Malta whose voice has graced many concert halls – or the shy but determined Julian Azzopardi who exhibited talent in the mastery of clarinet play- ing? Could the winner possibly be the talented and romantic pianist Daniel Caruana who stunned all viewers with his wonderful and emotional inter- pretations week in week out? Or possibly could Samuel Cutajar – the young lad whose violin play- ing leaves everyone in awe – that will snatch the very first victory. Unless the only female of the five finalists, Kristy Spiteri – de- scribed as a true rough diamond, unique and special – will be the one to beat the other four male finalists. All of this will be revealed on Friday with a finale that Chetcu- ti promises will go down in his- tory with its "versatility, polish and sheer excitement". Classical music will be fused with elec- tronic music thanks to the guest appearance of Carl Bee and the priceless musical contribution of Kevin Abela, the musical direc- tor of Brillanti's first edition. "We shall present to you a fi- nale to remember – a night that will embrace nothing but the best – indeed more, much more than the best – nothing less than Brillanti," Chetcuti said. The final of the first edition of Brillanti airs on Friday at 8:30pm on ONE TV.