Giorgio Zarb
Clean-up Needed
The text currently on this page needs further work. It was most likely imported or reproduced from a website associated with the subject of the page - possibly through a process involving far-from-perfect machine translation, often with awkward results. It is awaiting the attention of an experienced M3P editor, which could be you. It may be slightly out of date, or may need other elements taken care of appropriately, including proofreading or copy-editing for grammar and style.
This page is a stub
Stub pages are like acorns. The first seed has been planted, but you can help them grow! There may, for example, also be other M3P resources linking to it. You can help by expanding this page.
Giorgio Zarb Was a Qormi born musician, who commenced his musical career with the Banda Dei Curmini most probably under Mro Emanuelu Bartoli. His musical capabilities earned him the directorship of this band of which he was to be its last bandmaster. In 1891, together with Mro Giuseppe Portelli, he helped in the formation of a new band in Qormi, the Filarmonica Pinto, which was constituted within the Casino Pinto, owned by Andrea Abela.
A few years later, at the peak of a politico-religious dispute, a number of musicians from within the Filarmionica Pinto moved to the Casiono San Giorgio where they formed a new Band.
In view of their acquaintance with Mro Giorgio Zarb, he was one of the bandmasters tasked to prepare the band for its first concert.
Although a prolific composer, not much of his works survived today, such as the funeral marches (Afflitta, Corona Funeraria, Mater Dolorosa, Funebre No 1 and Funebre No 2), a number of processional marches, the symphonic marches Patria Invicta and Pinto and a hymn dedicated to St George.
Giuseppe Portelli: Born in Senglea in 1932. At the age of 44 he joined the Royal Navy as Bandmaster on the battleships Duke of Wellington, Raleigh and Monarch.
He was a well sought bandmaster with an eye for musical talent. His organisational skills were known to all and he was frequently called to help in the formation of new bands.
He was involved in the formation of Vittoriosa’s Banda tal-Iljun (today the Għaqda Filarmonika Prince of Wales Own), Senglea’s La Vincitrice Band Club, Għaqda Mużikali Sant' Andrija and Soċjeta Filarmonika Pinto Banda San Sebastjan.
He was also band master of the Vilhena Band Club, the band of his adoptive hometown Floriana. In October 1893, he was once again called by the Qormin to help them form a new band within the Casino San Giorgio. He had an active role in the preparation of the musicians leading to the first concert of the Għaqda Mużikali San Ġorg Martri on January 6, 1894.
He led this band for six months till July 1894. Amongst his known works one finds the waltz Camilla.