The Malta Society of Arts in Valletta will house a multidisciplinary art platform, City of Art, this month – with pilot project Decadence, Now.

The project will bring together a collective of artists, curators and researchers – all inspired by the concepts and individuals who enriched the fin-de-siécle period.

As part of Decadence, Now., the recital hall at Palazzo de La Salle will be reimagined as a
nineteenth-century salon.

Traditionally an environment designed to please and educate, the salon was a thriving centre of debate, experimentation, creativity and discovery.

Each weekend will feature a new programme of songs – showcasing some of the most beautiful music of that period – along with poetry, letters, memoirs and more.

A group of internationally acclaimed performers will come together to create a unique experience going well beyond the bounds of traditional recital.

This weekend’s first salon is devoted to German lieder and will include songs by Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler, featuring performances by baritone André Morsch and pianist Charlene Farrugia.

The second salon will consist of an Italian repertoire by Paolo Tosti and Giacomo Puccini – featuring performances by soprano Gillian Zammit, tenor Raffaele Abete and pianist Lucia Micallef.

The third and final salon will focus on French art-song, featuring performances by Gillian Zammit and Lucia Micallef – who will interpret songs by Debussy, Hahn and Duparc.

Each of the three salons will be hosted by a salonnière‚ a woman who will curate the performance, as is traditional. This role will be shared by Gillian Zammit, Denise Mulholland and Maria Theuma respectively.

Decadence, Now. is thrilled to host the world premiere of a new song cycle by Maltese composer Karl Fiorini.

Inspired by Strauss, Gabriele D’Annunzio and Charles Baudelaire, these exciting new songs will be performed by Gillian Zammit.