Start the New Year with Music in the Mediterranean: The Valletta Baroque Festival 3 Weeks of Musical Mastery in Some of Malta’s Most Historical Venues January 9-25, 2025

Get ready for an unforgettable musical journey as Festivals Malta proudly presents the 2025 Valletta Baroque Festival! Taking place from January 9 to 25, this year’s program will immerse audiences in a captivating celebration of early music, weaving together a rich tapestry of Baroque masterpieces.

It’s an extraordinary event, in the heart of Valletta, Malta’s capital, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Music and history l0vers can immerse themselves in the grandeur of the Baroque era against the stunning backdrop of Malta’s opulent architecture.

Under the visionary direction of Kenneth Zammit Tabone, the festival promises to be a sensational cultural experience, featuring a stellar lineup of world-renowned artists and ensembles. It starts off with Alessandro Scarlatti’s Oratorio La Giuditta, performed by the Valletta Baroque Ensemble under the direction of Steven Devine. This landmark performance marks the 300th anniversary of this work. The following day, audiences can immerse themselves in the captivating Lachrimae Lyrae, presented by Sokratis Sinopoulos on Greek lyra and L’Achéron at the National Museum of Archaeology.

Other highlights include Thomas Dunford and ThéotimeLanglois de Swarte showcasing The Mad Lover and SIGNUM Saxophone Quartet showcasing South American music with the Bachianas, and a vocal concert titled My Voyage to Italy featuring Samuel Mariño with Concerto de’ Cavalieri.

St. John’s Co-Cathedral during the Valletta Baroque Festival 2024 produced by Festivals, photo by Owen Michael Grech

As the festival progresses, audiences will enjoy an array of musical styles and ensembles, such as Musica Antiqua Latina with Combattimento 40, and Monteverdi’s works performed by Voces Sauve. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will also present Bach Violin Concertos featuring esteemed soloists Charlie SiemandCarmine Lauri. A special highlight will be William Christie’s 80th Birthday Concert with Les Arts Florissants on January 24th, celebrating one of the baroque music scene’s most influential figures.

In addition to established masterpieces, the festival will host unique interpretations and modern works, including Missa Papae Marcelli by Palestrina in honor of its 500th anniversary performed by Malta’s National choir, KorMalta. Children can enjoy The Sound Explorers concert on January 19th, introducing the next generation to the joys of baroque music.

The festival will take place across various historic venues, including the magnificent St. John’s Co-Cathedral, the intimate Lapsi Church, and the enchanting Verdala Palace.

Each location provides a stunning backdrop, enhancing the listening experience and connecting audiences with Malta’s rich cultural heritage.

The Valletta Baroque Festival is taking place between the January 9 and 25, 2025, and is organized by Festivals Malta in collaboration with Teatru Manoel, and supported by Visit Malta and the Ministry for National Heritage, the Arts & Local Government (Kultura).

For more information, visit www.vbf.mt.

Roma 1635 – 1716 in Victory Church, Valletta during the Valletta Baroque Festival 2024 produced by Festivals, photo by Owen Michael Grech

About Malta

The sunny islands of Malta, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, are home to a most remarkable concentration of intact built heritage, including the highest density of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in any nation-state anywhere. Valletta, built by the proud Knights of St. John, is one of the UNESCO sites and the European Capital of Culture for 2018. Malta’s patrimony in stone ranges from the oldest free-standing stone architecture in the world, to one of the British Empire’s most formidable defensive systems, and includes a rich mix of domestic, religious and military architecture from the ancient, medieval and early modern periods. With superbly sunny weather, attractive beaches, a thriving nightlife and 8,000 years of intriguing history, there is a great deal to see and do.

For more information on Malta, visit www.VisitMalta.com.