Valletta Baroque Festival 2024: A Grand Celebration Of Baroque Music And Culture
The Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government, Owen Bonnici, recently unveiled the details of the eagerly awaited 12th edition of the Valletta Baroque Festival!
Scheduled to take place between 11th and 28th January, 2024, this edition promises to be a special one, featuring an exceptional lineup of dynamic performances that will captivate audiences.
The festival, extending across three weeks, will immerse attendees in an essential Baroque experience set within splendid venues, including St John’s Co-Cathedral, The Verdala Palace, Palazzo Parisio, and Teatru Manoel, all of which boast genuine Baroque settings adorned with opulent decor, sculptures, and paintings characteristic of the period.
The Valletta Baroque Festival holds a special place in Malta’s cultural calendar and plays a pivotal role in attracting cultural tourism to the country. “This festival is a crucial one for this agency because apart from opening our calendar year, it is a festival that is closely linked to our country. I am saying this since it is a festival that continues to strengthen our identity, as represented through our heritage, festive celebrations, architecture, and art,” stated Aaron Zahra, Chairman of Festivals Malta. It’s worth noting that Festivals Malta took over the production of the festival in 2021, and this year marks the third edition under their stewardship.
Frans Agius, CEO of Festivals Malta, highlighted the festival’s diverse program, featuring more than 30 concerts spread over three weeks and taking place in over 15 different locations around the island. The festival brings together an impressive lineup of international musicians and local artists, making it a truly immersive and enriching experience for all attendees.
Kenneth Zammit Tabona, the festival’s Artistic Director, emphasised the festival’s strong international reputation, stating, “From its very inception, this festival enjoyed a strong international reputation and has established itself among the top ten festivals of its kind in Europe.”
The opening concert, ‘St John Passion BWV 245 by Johann Sebastian Bach,’ will be performed by the Valletta Baroque Ensemble and Kor Malta under the musical direction of Riccardo Bianchi at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta. This grand performance will set the tone for the festival’s three-week celebration of Baroque music and culture. The festival will conclude with an opera for children, ‘La Serva Padrona’ by Pergolesi, under the musical direction of Sarah Spiteri and scenic direction by Jacob Piccinino.
The festival’s stellar lineup includes renowned artists such as Robin Pharo, Zefiro Ensemble, Alon Sariel, Holland Baroque with Wu Wei, Lucile Boulanger, Vox Luminis, and Les Contre Sujets. Following the success of last year’s edition, The Rock Troupers & the Valletta Baroque Ensemble will return with their project ‘BaRock’ at the Manoel Theatre. The festival will als feature a collaboration with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, showcasing a diverse lineup of Malta’s finest concert pianists performing the Bach Keyboard concertos.
The Valletta Baroque Festival is a collaborative effort between Festivals Malta, Teatru Manoel, and Visit Malta.
Tickets and additional information about the festival can be found on the official website.
The 12th edition of the Valletta Baroque Festival promises to be a magnificent celebration of Baroque music, culture, and heritage, providing an immersive experience that will delight both locals and visitors alike.
Mark your calendars for this exceptional event in January 2024, and prepare to be transported to a bygone era of opulence and artistic brilliance.
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