Building on the success of the first two editions, the Valletta International Baroque Festival 2015 is set to kick off on Saturday, with 21 events over 15 days in seven venues.
The festival is dedicated to the memory of Maltese composer Geronimo Abos, as 2015 marks the tercentennial anniversary of his birth. His 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.
Daniela Valero and the Kaj Sylegard dancers.The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment returns to perform Bach’s Passion according to St John 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, a new addition to the list of venues for 2015.
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 festival programme also includes music ranging from baroque piano transcriptions of music by Bach, Handel and Gluck (performed by Dmytro Sukhovienko) to sacred and profane baroque music from the Americas (performed by the Ensemble Villancico) and Handel concert arias. The latter will be presented by Robert King conducting The King’s Consort and countertenor Iestyn Davies.
Rebecca Hall. Photo: Joe SmithBach features strongly in this festival. His cello suites are performed by the world-renowned Sigiswald Kuijken, who will play on that rare instrument a violoncello da spalla and his Goldberg Variations by local pianist Joanne Camilleri. The European Union Baroque Ensemble will perform music by Handel and his London friends and the festival’s resident ensemble, the Valletta International Baroque Ensemble (VIBE), will perform at two concerts.
The festival also includes events specifically for children and culminates with the Baroque Festival Ball which will be held at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta on January 24.
The festival has met with success even on the international cultural stage, as evidenced by the growing interest from tour operators, who are bringing in more visitors specifically for this event.
The Valletta International Baroque Festival runs between Saturday and January 24. Tickets are available online.
www.vallettainternationalbaroque.com.mt
www.teatrumanoel.com.mt