Brillanti sees an ‘inundation’ of applicants for new season

Local prime time talent show Brillanti is kicking off its second season on February 17, this year with a focus on dance. The brainchild of presenter and violinist Joseph Chetcuti, Brillanti held its inaugural season last year with a spotlight on musicians, with violinist Samuel Cutajar being crowned the winner. Following the success of the first season, this year saw over 200 applicants seeking to take part in season two of the programme. Brillanti aims to reward certain talents in Malta that are often sidelined or not given their due importance, says the presenter. Despite practising violin for countless hours and going to school to receive his licentiate, Chetcuti says he was nevertheless known as “il-vjolinista ta’ Xarabank” (the Xarabank violinist). Spurred by this, Chetcuti decided to create Brillanti to shine a spotlight on often-overlooked talent across Malta and Gozo.  “Brillanti is the first ever TV show to give a platform to musicians and dancers,” says Chetcuti. “The idea behind the show is precisely to show everybody that music and dance are important in their own right, that it takes sweat and blood to become a dancer or musician, and that these deserve to be known,...