The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will be revisiting the intimate sounds of earlier masterpieces during an evening of baroque music at St Paul’s Anglican Cathedral Valletta on June 10.

The concert will start with Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto for Two Oboes and Strings RV 535 in D minor. The use of two solo instruments enables Vivaldi to create some intriguing musical effects, as his typically lovely melodic lines dialogue and intertwine. The concerto is also notable for the atmospheric slow introduction which precedes the entry of the soloists.

Another Italian composition which will be featured is Francesco Geminiani’s Concerto Grosso no 12 in D Minor. This concerto grosso is subtitled La Follia because it contains a number of variations on a similarly named and well-known dance, possibly of Portuguese origin, which influenced several composers of the period.

Johann Sebastian Bach will be represented by his Orchestral Suite no 2 for Flute and Strings which includes the light hearted Badinerie.

The concert will end with the suite of dances from Jean-Philippe Rameau’s opera-ballet Les Indes Galantes.

The orchestra will be conducted by Michael Laus who will also be playing the harpsichord.

A number of experienced musicians from within the orchestra’s ranks will feature as soloists: John McDonough and Paolino Tona in the Vivaldi concerto, Rebecca Hall in the Bach suite and Marcelline Agius, Nadia Debono and Angelica Young in the Geminiani Concerto Grosso.

Entrance is free but there will be a collection in aid of the restoration of the cathedral’s historical pipe organ. The concert starts at 7.30 p.m.