Tipico, the international betting and broker company based at Portomaso, has signed up as the major sponsor for next January’s first Valletta International Baroque Festival at the Manoel Theatre.

Around 200 musicians and performers from some of Europe’s top baroque orchestras and ensembles will be hosted in Malta for this festival, including Opera Fuoco, Jeune Orchestre Atlantique, Les Talens Lyriques and Le Sainte Folie Fantastique from France, Combattimento Consort Amsterdam, The King’s Consort and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment from the UK, and New Century Baroque, a group of musicians from 11 European countries.

The agreement was signed by Manoel Theatre chief executive Ray Attard and Tipico chief executive Jan Bolz.

The online gaming company is one of the leaders in Europe and is a chartered member of the Association of European Betting Enterprisers. It owns its own casino area operated by Tipico Casino Ltd and is licensed by the Maltese regulator.

“The Valletta International Baroque Festival promises a unique experience to all baroque music lovers who will be attending its two-week programme of events,” Tipico’s chief financial officer Carsten Schaefer said.

“As Tipico expands its operations in Malta, it is committed to support such an important event and hopes to do so for a long time to come.”