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 depending on venue and occasion under
the direction of its associate conductors Paul Abela and Joe Brown.
During its short
history the orchestra has already performed an impressive number of
performances around Malta and Gozo with annual editions of Suċċessi Maltin, Notte Italiana, A Night at the
Musicals, charity Christmas concerts as well as a number of free
concerts in various localities around Malta as part of Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s
community outreach programme Pjazza fi Pjazza.
The Malta Concert Orchestra has also been instrumental for the success
of L-Għanja tal-Poplu | Festival
tal-Kanzunetta Maltija, Malta’s
only song contest in Maltese performed with the backing of a live orchestra.
