The final concert of the 17th edition of the Victoria International Arts Festival was held last Monday at St George’s Basilica.
Mro Joseph Vella conducted the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra in a choral and orchestral concert featuring works by Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven. The basilica’s resident Laudate Pueri Choir participated. The soloist for the Haydn cello concerto was Simon Veis.
The festival, which started on June 11, comprised 33 concerts in seven venues in Victoria, and attracted record audiences. Over 400 musicians and performers from 17 different countries took part, including soloists, trios, quartets, quintets, 21 chamber ensembles of different formations, two choirs and brass bands. They performed over 240 works by some 130 composers, ranging from the late medieval period to modern pieces.
The full complement of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra performed in both the inaugural and the closing concerts.