The Żejtun born Maestro Carmelo Baldacchino has turned 96. Maestro Baldacchino today lives with his family in Sydney, Australia.
He started his musical career at the age of 14 when he started to learn his favourite instrument, the cornet at the Beland Band Club in Zejtun under the tuition of Mro. Carmelo Scicluna.
During his days as a band player, Mro. Baldacchino used to be a soloist. When the band was under the direction of Mro. Scicluna, he was given the responsibility to play a number of selections taken from Verdi’s opera, the Aida. In 1939 he started to play as a cornet soloist with the RMA (today the Band of the Armed Forces) under the direction of Mro. Major Anthony Aquilina. Mro. Baldacchino decided to continue his studies under Mro. Joseph Stivala where he started to study harmony and instrumentation for a period of 5 years.
The first band directed by Mro. Baldacchino was that of Saint Mary of the village of Ghaxaq. At the young age of 28 he was also given the post of Director with the Beland Band of Zejtun.
In 1954 he emigrated to Australia together with his family. Between 1983 and 1993 he directed and Italian band in Australia.
Wirt iż-Żejtun wishes Maestro Baldacchino good health.
Wirt iż-Żejtun 