Since 2013 the Valletta International Baroque Festival has treated audiences to some of the best international and local soloists and ensembles in the baroque music scene.

This year’s edition of the festival starts next Friday and runs until January 26. The various events forming part of the two-week festival take place at the Manoel Theatre and at many other baroque churches and historical venues around the island.

The recommended age of the audience is six or above.

For the full programme and bookings visit the website below. The following is an abbreviated schedule of events for the festival’s first weekend:

Friday, January 11

7.30pm Extravaganzas for Mandolin, performed by Capella Gabetta, Andres Gabetta (violin and direction) and Avi Avital (mandolin) at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta.

Saturday, January 12

Noon The Heart of Sensibility, performed by Reiko Ichise (viola da gamba) and Jennifer Morsches (cello) at Oratory of the Crucifix, Senglea.

4pm Vivaldi, Telemann and Handel, performed by Ensemble Matheus, directed by Jean Christophe Spinosi at Manoel Theatre, Valletta.

7.30pm The Goldberg Variations on Organ, performed by Hansjorg Albrecht at St John’s Co-Cathedral, in Valletta.

9.30pm Barock ’n’ Roll, performed by Ensemble Matheus, directed by Jean Christophe Spinosi at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta.

Sunday, January 13

Noon The Seasons, performed by PRISMA at the Aula Capitulare, Mdina Cathedral.

5.30pm Vivica Genaux is Farinelli, performed by Concerto de’Cavalieri, directed by Marcello Di Lisa and Vivica Genaux (mezzosoprano) at Manoel Theatre, Valletta. (For a little extra the audience can mingle informally with the performers while having something to eat and drink after the concert.)

http://vallettabaroquefestival.com.mt