The first cultural program of the De Valette Chamber Orchestra for the 2025/2026 season was launched as it was established within the Teatru Manoel. The De Valette Chamber Orchestra will be led by the artistic vision of its own Music Director and Concertmaster, Mro. Carmine Lauri, internationally renowned and Concertmaster Emeritus of the London Symphony Orchestra.
This orchestra will bring together musicians from some of the most prestigious orchestras from around the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre National de France, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne, the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the Athens State Orchestra, the Kremerata Baltica Chamber Orchestra and the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra Amsterdam.
Minister for Culture, Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici said, “We are witnessing another beautiful page being written in the history of the Manoel Theatre, where we are now seeing musicians from every corner of the world come together in this theatre led by Maltese musician Mro. Carmine Lauri, to give artistic life to the De Valette Chamber Orchestra. This initiative shows how culture in our country can bring together international talents and place Malta on the global musical map, with vision, dedication and hard work we are continuing to bring extraordinary moments like these.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the Manoel Theatre Edward Zammit explained the work that was carried out to build this concept that will place our country on the international map of this genre dedicated to classical music. He went on to explain that the De Valette Chamber Orchestra also has a mission and vision where it will be investing in projects that inspire children and young people to pursue careers in this musical field, through internationally renowned musicians who will be giving a number of masterclasses.
Musical Director of the De Valette Chamber Orchestra Mro Carmine Lauri said that this is a truly extraordinary moment for Malta to have an institution of this calibre that brings together some of the most renowned musicians from so many countries and prestigious orchestras to form the De Valette Chamber Orchestra. “Through what we believe and what we do as professional musicians in our career, we are the only voice that can truly communicate with everyone who attends our concerts, to become part of this journey in which we touch the heart of every listener and be an instrument to enrich people’s lives through the power of classical music,” said Mro. Lauri.
The artistic profile of the De Valette Chamber Orchestra rises to a higher level through the appointment of German cellist Maximilian Hornung as Artist-in-Residence, recognized as one of the best cellists of his generation. During the 2025-2026 theatrical season, the De Valette Chamber Orchestra, which will be under the artistic direction of Anna Kosinska, will be performing four concerts at the Manoel Theatre.
These will be on 1 October, which will be the official concert that will open the theatre’s theatrical season, on 25 November 2025, on 4 February 2026 and the fourth concert will take place on 12 June 2026.
