In Palermo and Messina - 1904

In mid 1904 the Band Club was invited to perform in Palermo and Messina, two of the largest cities in Sicily. This trip was highly covered in local media. The band Duke of Edinburgh, along with a number of admirers left the island on 21st July and arrived in Palermo the following morning. The Palermo Municipal Band was awaiting them on the quay. The Band started playing the Italian national anthem from the ship’s deck, and the Sicilians reciprocated with the God Save.

After disembarking, the two bands started playing festive marches on their way to Count Roger’s burial place, amongst applause from the crowd that had gathered. They were welcomed by Mons. Mazzola on their arrival at the Cathedral. From there, the band was invited to the Palazzo Municipale where it was welcomed by the Pro Sindaco. The following day, the Duke of Edinburgh, under Band Director Gaetano Grech, performed at Teatro Biondo. During the interval, after an address from Prof. Enrico Scala, a banner with the crest of Palermo was presented to the society with the inscription in golden thread:

Impresa del Teatro Biondo e Cavalier Pierantoni alla Filarmonica Duke of Edinburgh – Luglio 1904

The following day, the band performed in Piazza Foro Umberto. At the end of this performance the band left for Messina. They were welcomed by the Municipal Band, which accompanied them to the famous Duomo for mass. On their last day in Sicily, it performed again for another hour and a half until it was time to board. The programme ended to huge applause and shouts of Viva l-Maltin! from the crowd that had gathered. The band and its admirers left Sicily highly satisfied they they were worthy ambassadors to high standards the Maltese band clubs and the high level that it was reached in musical arts.