13th edition of Valletta Baroque Festival launched
The 13th edition of the Valletta Baroque Festival has been launched and will be taking place between the 9th and 25th of January 2025, the Minister for National Heritage Owen Bonnici said on Thursday.Bonnici stated that the Valletta Baroque Festival
The 13th edition of the Valletta Baroque Festival has been launched and will be taking place between the 9th and 25th of January 2025, the Minister for National Heritage Owen Bonnici said on Thursday.
Bonnici stated that the Valletta Baroque Festival is of great importance for the country, both because it helps to preserve and promote Maltese cultural and artistic heritage, as well as because it brings together artists of international calibre to exhibit their best talent in Malta. He continued that this festival gives new life to many historical Maltese sites, and creates an environment where music and architecture come together to offer a unique cultural experience for local and foreign audiences.
He added that through this festival, Festivals Malta is not only succeeding in the cultural field but also economically by attracting tourists to Malta in this season. He also thanked the workers of Festivals Malta for their commitment in the preparations for this edition of the festival.
“The Valletta Baroque Festival is an important step for us to continue strengthening the international recognition of Malta as a destination of quality culture and art,” Bonnici commented.
The Chairman of Festivals Malta, Aaron Zahra, said that Festivals Malta is fully committed to promoting the country’s cultural heritage while also providing a platform for local and international artists. He continued that the festival is a perfect example of this commitment, which he said allows the talent of the musicians to be shown along with the wonder places that are an integral part of Malta’s heritage.
Festivals Malta CEO Frans Agius said that Festivals Malta is proud to see Maltese artists on the main stage of international festivals like the Valletta Baroque Festival. He said that this year, Maltese violinist Carmine Lauri will be at the festival together with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Michael Laus. He added that there will be the participation of Charlie Siem, the Abos Project & Consort under the direction of Bruno Brocorpio. He said that there will also be the Valletta Baroque Ensemble under the direction of Steven Devine.
The Ministry for National Heritage said that this year’s festival will have a spectacular range of presentations by distinguished artists and ensembles under the artistic direction of Kenneth Zammit Tabona, which it added will be taking place in some of Malta's most majestic venues.
Zammit Tabona said that the year 2025 marks the tricentenary of Alessandro Scarlatti's death and therefore the festival will open with his oratorio La Giuditta. He continued that the following day, audiences can enjoy Lachrimae Lyrae, presented by Sokratis Sinopoulos at the National Museum of Archaeology. The program also includes Thomas Dunford and Théotime Langlois de Swartese The Mad Lover and SIGNUM Saxophone Quartet who will present South American music with Bachianas. He added that there is also a vocal concert entitled My Voyage to Italy by Samuel Mariño with Concerto de' Cavalieri.
The Ministry stated that through this festival, the audiences can enjoy a range of styles and musical groups such as Musica Antiqua Latina with Combattimento 400, and the works of Monteverdi performed by Voces Sauve. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will also present Bach Violin Concertos with internationally renowned soloists Charlie Siem and Carmine Lauri. A special concert in this edition will be celebrating William Christie's 80th birthday with Les Arts Florissants on January 24th, celebrating one of the most influential figures of the baroque music scene.
Kenneth Zammit Tabona went on to explain that the festival will also host a performance by KorMalta of Missa Papae Marcelli of Palestrina in honour of the 500th anniversary of his death. Zammit Tabona said that children can enjoy the Sound Explorers concert on January 19th, which will introduce the next generation to the beauty of baroque music.
The Ministry said that the festival is organised by Festivals Malta in collaboration with Teatru Manoel and with support by Visit Malta, and will take place around several historical places, including the Co-Cathedral of St John, the Lapsi Church, and the Verdala Palace.
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