Coming from a country where baroque architecture is still very much in vogue, it should have come as no surprise that violinist Nadia Debono wanted to learn more about the rich musical period.

As she was seeing what courses were offered online, the violin-ist, who is sub-leader of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, chanced upon the EU Baroque Orchestra (EUBO), an ensemble dedicated to reviving Baroque music.

Ms Debono applied for a place in the orchestra and was asked to go up for an audition, before which she would be given lessons in how to play certain aspects of the music.

But this meant she had to leave her prized Sebastian Klotz violin at home and start afresh on a violin, loaned by the orchestra, with strings made of real gut, a different fingerboard and a different tuning – with just two days to go before she went up to Luxembourg.

After the auditions in April last year, she returned to Malta happy to have had a crash course in baroque music.

Two weeks later she received a call saying she had been selected among the 150 hopefuls to be part of the orchestra, starting off an experience she will not forget.

Since the orchestra was touring Europe, different venues made for different approaches to the music, and every rehearsal was a learning experience, Ms Debono recounts.

Her time with the orchestra ended last year and now a different group is touring.

The EUBO, now in its 25th year, will be performing tonight and tomorrow as part of the Malta Arts Festival at the Ambassadors' Room of the Auberge de Castille.

Under the direction of Lars Ulrik Mortensen, the EUBO will be presenting Maladies and Melodies, with two programmes featuring works by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Locatelli and others.

Performances start at 9 p.m.