The Valletta Baroque Festival 2025, which took place between the 9th and 25th of January 2025 and was attended by an estimated 5,000 people in 32 concerts, has come to an end.
This year’s festival welcomed audiences from all over the world with a varied programme celebrating baroque music, under the artistic direction of Kenneth Zammit Tabona within Festivals Malta. The Festival also included a list of prestigious artists who performed in fantastic venues across Malta.
Minister for National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici thanked all those involved in the organisation of the Valletta Baroque Festival for another year of great success and good attendance. He praised the work that went into staging 32 concerts and stressed the importance of these types of festivals which attract both local and international audiences.
“The Valletta Baroque Festival continues to strengthen Malta as a centre of cultural and artistic excellence, where baroque music becomes the bridge that connects audiences from around the world to a priceless artistic heritage,” reiterated Minister Bonnici.
The festival opened with Alessandro Scarlatti’s La Giuditta, performed excellently by the Valletta Baroque Ensemble under the baton of Steven Devine. Another concert was Lachrimae Lyrae, presented by Sokratis Sinopoulos, which was staged at the National Museum of Archaeology. The Mad Lover by Thomas Dunford and Théotime Langlois de Swarte, and the SIGNUM Saxophone Quartet’s Bachianas were also performed. While soprano Samuel Mariño with Concerto de’ Cavalieri, gave a wonderful performance at the Manoel Theatre.
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra performed the Bach Violin Concertos concert, featuring violinists Charlie Siem and Carmine Lauri. A concert was also held to celebrate William Christie’s 80th birthday with his group Les Arts Florissants, paying tribute to one of the greatest icons of the Baroque music scene. While KorMalta performed the Messa Papae Marcelli concert. The Sound Explorers concert welcomed younger audiences, introducing children to Baroque music and fostering an appreciation among future generations.
Held around historic locations such as St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Lapsi Church, and Verdala Palace, the festival celebrated Malta’s cultural value.
Photo: MAHAL
