Malta Concert Orchestra
The orchestra, formerly known as the PBS Orchestra, was set up in 2014. In 2017 it moved to Pjazza Teatru Rjal and was rebranded as the Malta Concert Orchestra with a mission “to reach out to people across the board through accessible and inspiring musical performances.”
The MCO is a versatile ensemble made up of professional and semi-professional musicians who perform in formations of various sizes ranging from a small jazz combo and big band to a full pop orchestra depending on venue and occasion under the direction of its associate conductors Paul Abela and Joe Brown.
Over the years, the orchestra has played a crucial role in providing professional but affordable concerts ranging from rock, pop and jazz to swing, soul and musicals.
For the past years it has also provided live orchestral accompaniment in the annual festival l-Għanja tal-Poplu while continuing to reaching out to the widest possible audience through community concerts in various localities as part of Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s community outreach programme Pjazza fi Pjazza.
In a few years the MCO has gained an impressive following with performances being almost invariably sold out. Memorable nights include the The Name’s Bond…, Queen Tribute Concert, the annual Notte Italiana, MCO Pop, A Night at the Musicals, Elton John Tribute, Swinging with the Crooners, and Sing and Swing with the popular Italian TV star Massimo Lopez.