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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2014 38 THIS WEEK WICKED Comics have revealed that globally renowned comic book crea- tors Jason Howard (The Astounding Wolf-Man, Super Dinosaur), Richard Starkings (Elephantman), Tim Per- kins (Worlds End Vol 1- The Riders on the Storm, Thundercats, Doctor Who) and London-based Maltese creator Sean Azzopardi (Necessary Monsters) will be attending the Malta Comic Con 2014. They join a star-studded line-up of guests including Yishan Li, Rufus Dayglo, Andrew Wildman, Guillermo Ortego, Steve Scott, Mickey Lam, Mike Collins, Cliodhna, Dave Taylor, Christian Ward, John-Paul Kamath, Michael Dialynas, Lew Stringer, Daniela "Iella" Attard, Mario Alberti, Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Gordon Rennie and Emma Beeby. The sixth edition of this popular event will be held at St James Cavalier, Valletta between November 29 (10:00- 18:00) and November 30 (11:00- 19:00). Tim Perkins has praised St James Cavalier as a 'superb' location. "It is by far the best locale I have ever seen a comic convention held within and the atmosphere created by the organisers is second to none," Perkins said. "The organisers have set a prec- edent for all other conventions on how to make the guests and visitors totally welcome and at home." "The inclusive nature the organ- isers nurture through the involve- ment of children and young adults in the school workshops is perfect for a growing art form and in turn fu- ture industry in Malta," Perkins said. "They are a credit to the country and to the medium of comics." Manoel Theatre's season opening concert TEATRU Manoel officially starts its 2014-2015 season with a concert by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra on October 3. The concert, a joint production between the Manoel and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, will be conducted by Brian Schem- bri and will feature the renowned violinist Charlie Siem. Charlie Siem is one of the bright- est young classical stars. He has giv- en concerts in Asia, Europe, Scan- dinavia and North America and appeared with orchestras including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic Or- chestra, Czech National Symphony Orchestra and the Oslo Philhar- monic Orchestra. Charlie Siem is playing the 1735 Guarneri del Gesù violin, known as the d'Egville. Brian Schembri is the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Malta Philharmonic Orches- tra. He was the youngest musician ever to obtain the Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music (London) and later graduated in piano and conducting at the Kiev and Moscow 'Tchaikowsky' Conservatories. The programme opens with Beethoven's Egmont Overture op.84. Beethoven wrote incidental music to Goethe's play, Egmont, which struck a strong chord with the composer. Goethe declared that Beethoven's music had, "expressed his intentions with remarkable gen- ius". The second work in the pro- gramme is Max Bruch's Violin Con- certo no.1 in G minor, Op. 26. This is definitely his most popular work and remains solidly entrenched in the international concert and re- cording repertoire. Violinist Charlie Siem then per- forms Saint-Saëns's Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso in A Minor op. 28 which has remained one of the most popular works in the violin repertoire. Saint-Saëns wrote this work for Pablo de Sarasate which was premiered by Sarasate in Paris on 4 April 1867. The final piece to be performed is Beethoven's Symphony no. 8 in F Major Op. 93. This was composed in 1812, close on the heels of the Seventh which he had just finished. The composer managed to write it in four months and it was pre- miered in Vienna in 1814. Although rather coolly received at the time, Tchaikovsky declared this work's last movement as one of Beethoven's symphonic masterpieces. The concert on October 3 starts at 20:00. There are discounted seats for students and kartanzjan and a pre-concert talk at 19:15 free for ticket holders. Bookings: www.teatrumanoel. com.mt, bookings@teatrumanoel. com.mt or telephone 2124 6389 Four more comic book icons at Malta Comic Con Download the MaltaToday App now Jason Howard, Richard Starkings, Tim Perkins and Sean Azzopardi announced as guests for this year's edition of Malta Comic Con Sean Azzopardi Richard Starkings Art by Jason Howard