The Manoel Theatre has announced the programme of the forthcoming third edition of the Valletta International Baroque Festival 2015.

With 21 events over 15 days in seven venues, the 2015 version aims to build on the success of the first two. The festival is dedicated to the memory of Maltese composer Geronimo Abos, as 2015 is the tercentennial anniversary of his birth.

“Abos was one of Malta’s greatest and most versatile composers,” said Kenneth Zammit Tabona, artistic director of the festival.

“We are delighted to announce that his music is not only being performed by local musicians but also by foreign ensembles.”

The composer’s music will be performed by Die Kölner Akademie, Passacaglia Ensemble (which features some of the UK’s leading period instrument players) and the Valletta International Baroque Ensemble.

As a preview to the festival, the ensemble, or VIBE as it is popularly known, will be presenting a concert of music by composer Michel’ange Vella, Henry Purcell, Antonio Vivaldi and George Frederick Handel on Tuesday at 8pm at All Souls church, Merchant Street, Valletta. This concert will be the culmination of three days of masterclasses. Entrance to the concert is free.

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment returns to perform Bach’s glorious St John’s Passion in St John’s Co-Cathedral which will be offset by Michelangelo Falvetti’s magnificent Il Diluvio Universale, performed by the Cappella Mediterranea under the baton of Leonardo Garcia Alarcon at St Publius church in Floriana.

The Malta Philharmonic Orches­tra, conducted by Peter Stark, will present an innovative programme of 20th-century works inspired by the baroque, which includes a flute concerto by Lukas Foss performed by the orchestra’s own flautist Rebecca Hall.

The programme also includes music ranging from baroque piano transcriptions by Bach, Handel and Gluck performed by Dmytro Sukhovienko, to sacred and profane baroque music from the Americas, performed by Ensemble Villancico.

There will also be Handel concert arias presented by Robert King conducting The King’s Consort and countertenor Iestyn Davies.

Abos was one of Malta’s greatest and most versatile composers. His music is not only being performed by local musicians but also by foreign ensembles

Bach will feature strongly in the festival. His cello suites will be performed by Sigiswald Kuijken who will play on that rare instrument, a violoncello da spalla, and his Goldberg Variations by pianist Joanne Camilleri.

The EU Baroque Ensemble will perform music by Handel and others, while the festival’s resident ensemble, the Valletta International Baroque Ensemble, will perform at two concerts.

The festival will also include events specifically for children and culminates with the Baroque Festival Ball which will be held at the Sacra Infermeria Hall at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

The programme and tickets are available online at www.vallettabaroquefestival.com.mt.

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