Baroque enchantment at Bir Miftuh

The 13th Edition of the Bir Miftuh Music Festival organised by Din l-Art Helwa opens on May 9 at 8 p.m. with a Baroque Recital by the ‘Sogno Barocco’ Ensemble at the medieval Church of Santa Marija of Bir Miftuh. This Belgian ensemble is composed of five highly talented and internationally promising musicians who specialise in ancient and baroque music. They are Constantin Chariot on the flute, Katsufumi Suetsugu on the clavicord, Bruno Ispiola on the cello, together with Soprano, Anne Renouprez, and José Carrión Balbuena, Counter-tenor.

Their very select repertoire spans from the beginning of the 17th century to the end of the 1780s. The ‘Sogno Barocco’ Ensemble aims at promoting lyric works in the form of operas and recitals that stem from the baroque era. They are best known for their refined and light orchestrations with particular focus on musical aesthetics playing on original instruments and on the baroque diapason. They have impressed audiences during their numerous vocal and instrumental recitals and festivals such as the Nuits de Beloeil 2006. ‘Il Sogno Barocco’ has also produced a chamber opera based on a cantata, Appolo & Daphne HWV122 by Haendel. Featuring works by Vivaldi, Haendel, Locatelli, Hasse and Conti, the concert at Bir Miftuh promises to be a treat of baroque enchantment and has been made possible by the Belgian Embassy.

Tickets for the concert cost €20 per person, including refreshments after the performance. All funds raised through the Bir Miftuh Music Festival are dedicated to Din l-Art Helwa’s restoration programmes. For more information contact 21225952/21220358 Monday to Friday between 9.00a.m and 12 p.m. or call at the offices of Din l-Art Helwa at 133 Melita Street, Valletta.