Baroque Festival promoting the roots of the city

Malta’s Baroque fortified capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site is having a busy year in 2018 as it is not only hosting the Valletta International Baroque Festival, but also the European Capital of Culture.

The sixth edition of the Festival brings together leading international baroque musicians and ensembles performing a breath-taking 26 different events in 14 different venues across Malta, between the 13th and the 27th January, 2018.

For the first time, the 2018 edition of the Festival will venture outside the capital’s walls, with events being hosted at other impressive locations across the Island, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Aula Capitulare in Mdina, Verdala Palace, and the Malta Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa.

Valletta returns to its former life as the entertainment hub and cultural heart of the Islands, celebrating its quintessential Baroque essence. It is not only Valletta which enjoys getting dressed for this impressive spectacle and feast for the sense. Baroque aficionados will have the rare opportunity of experiencing and enjoying Baroque performances by world renowned musicians in authentic historical buildings dating back to when the music was actually written. The architecture mirrors the music for a Festival which is steeped in genuine culture, literally bringing history to life.

Produced by Teatru Manoel, the prestigious event has become a calendar regular for music lovers and culture buffs. Among the internationally acclaimed Baroque musicians performing during the festival is the harpsichord legend Mahan Esfahani, who will be joined on stage by La Folia Barockorchester. In addition, the Ghislieri choir and consort will perform concerts in St John’s Co- Cathedral as well as the Mdina Cathedral.

Vivaldi’s expressive Four Season opens the Festival at Teatru Manoel and will be followed by Shunske Sato on the violin. Concerto Koln will stage another performance on the second day of the festival, performing Bach and Italy. Other international guests include Concerto Romano, Scholars and Gentlemen, Collegium Orpheus, Het Collectief and the Abchordis Ensemble.

The Festival will also feature music from the Archives of the Cathedral Museum, performed by the Valletta International Baroque Ensemble. Additionally, Director Marco Mencoboni will lead VIBE’s performance at the Monteverdi Vespers at St.Catherine’s Church in Żejtun.

Local musicians performing during the Festival include guitarist Simon Schembri, as well as Sandro Zerafa and friends. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will also participate in the Festival, where it will be conducted by Riccardo Bianchi and perform music by Grieg, Tansman, Gravina and Villa-Lobos. The stunning Mdina Cathedral will also host the performance of Messa Due Cori, composed by Maltese priest Benigno Zerafa, at the Metropolitan Cathedral.

A fun Baroque treasure hunt will also be held at the Studio Theatre on Sunday 14th January, while an entertaining activity themed on Baroque Jazz, will be held for children on the 21st January.