Valletta
Valletta International Baroque Festival 2019
Teatru Manoel, Old Theatre Street, Valletta
Music Festival
Music Festival

The sixth edition of the Valletta International Baroque Festival is a festival that has in a few short years captured the imagination and support of an ever-growing public. It is especially significant that 2018 is the year that Valletta, a walled baroque city the foundation stone of which was laid in 1566, happens to be the European Capital of Culture along with Leeuwarden. Valletta is indeed a unique city; with a miniscule footprint which has remained unchanged since the 17th century. Ruled by a monastic principality whose rules were relaxed enough by the 18th century for the Grandmaster of the day, Anton Manoel de Vilhena, to requisition a couple of mansions belonging to the Priory of Navarre and have a théâtre à l’italienne built instead for ‘the honest recreation of the people’, or rather, to keep the restless young knights, scions of the greatest catholic aristocratic houses in Europe, out of mischief. It is this theatre, built in 1731, and having endured several interpolations in its chequered history – some good some not so good – that is today the national theatre of Malta which hosts the baroque festival in this evocative baroque city; a city chock-full of stunningly lovely churches, palaces and museums which provide glorious backdrops for an intense but always varied top-notch musical adventure. This is a theatre which we have restored to its original 18th century façade and have also acclimatized to ensure maximum comfort for its patrons both during the chilly winter months and the sweltering summer ones. An architectural miracle which holds its own with the most renowned historic theatres of Europe such as Drottningholm, Český Krumlov and Versailles.

This year the festival is venturing out of Valletta to two other walled cities: Mdina, the old Siculo-Norman capital where one can still see the columns of roman temples in its foundations, and Birgu or as it is also known, Vittoriosa, the main city of what are referred to collectively in Malta as The Three Cities and which lies across the Grand Harbour from Valletta, hiding behind the protective bulk of the forbidding Fort St Angelo. We will also be holding a concert at Verdala Castle, the country residence of the grandmasters, governors and now presidents of Malta.

This is what makes this festival so special. Listening to a great Handel or Bach work in a black box may be edifying enough, however it will never attain the magic of being set in a cathedral that is a heraldic and hagiographic paean to the glory of the most illustrious chivalric order the world has ever known. This is what this midwinter festival is all about.

Ticket prices, time, and location depend on the show. More information about the festival programme and performances available here.


Dates
11th - 26th January 2019 19:30
Upcoming Events
St Julian's
29th & 30th March 2024
Step into the future of partying!

Party
Rabat
30th March 2024
Bring It Back returns with an Easter Saturday Special!

Party
Xlendi, Gozo
30th March 2024
Easter Saturday With A BANG!!

Party
Valletta
30th & 31st March 2024
A TOI TOI Easter Concert which promises a night of unforgettable live music for the whole family

Concert
Zebbug
31st March 2024
GET FUNKY people and electronic music enthusiasts

Party
Victoria, Gozo
31st March 2024
Easter fun for all the family!

Kids event
Valletta
2nd April 2024
A program featuring works by Henry Purcell, Grazyna Bacewicz, and Luigi Boccherini!

Concert
Kalkara
2nd - 7th April 2024
Embark on a scientific journey into the blossoming spring!

Kids event
Tarxien
4th April 2024
Explore the prehistoric landscapes that once surrounded this ancient site

Historical event
Isla
4th - 18th April 2024
Immerse yourself in the fluidity of time

Exhibition
Valletta
5th, 6th, 7th, 11th, 12th, 13th & 14th April 2024
The classic musical ‘Oliver!’ is set to be performed on stage in Malta from this April.

Musical
San Gwann
6th April 2024
Brace yourself for a night of exhilarating rhythms

Party
San Lawrenz, Gozo
6th April 2024
Celebrating creativity amidst the natural beauty of our countryside

Walk
Attard
6th & 7th April 2024
A family cultural celebration in Malta, capturing the spirit of exploration and togetherness.

Kids event
Mgarr
7th April 2024
A feast celebrating all things strawberry that all foodies and families are bound to love!

Festival
Ghajn Tuffieha
7th April 2024
Embrace the adventure and beauty of Malta's trails!

Race
Rabat
7th April 2024
Both sites will be open for free!

Historical event
Valletta
10th April 2024
Two exceptionally skilled local artists join forces to craft a unique 90+ minute Live Concert!

Concert
Valletta
12th April 2024
Stay over night at Fort St Elmo!

Historical event
Birgu
12th, 13th & 14th April 2024
The first performance of its kind at Theatre Chameleon!

Play
Valletta
12th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th & 21st April 2024
A new black comedy by award-winning writer Malcolm Galea!

Play
Victoria, Gozo
13th April 2024
A live concert for all!

Concert
Zebbug
19th, 20th & 21st April 2024

Music
Birgu
20th April 2024
A springtime music festival!

Festival
Victoria, Gozo
20th April 2024
The annual festival of lights in the historic city of Cittadella

Festival
Victoria, Gozo
20th April 2024
Commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Puccini’s death with his best-loved opera!

Opera
San Gwann
26th April 2024
Get ready to be swept away into a whirlwind of beats and boundless energy

Party
Valletta
28th April 2024
On the occassion of maltabiannale.art 2024

Music
Paola
28th April 2024
A chance to explore Malta’s prehistory with a special opening of Kordin III!

Open day
Valletta
9th - 12th May 2024
The 10th edition of the festival

Festival
Valletta
10th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th & 19th May 2024
The 1966 musical is coming to Malta!

Musical
Ghaxaq
17th & 18th May 2024
Save the dates!

Music Festival
Ghaxaq
18th May 2024
Pop Icon is set to light up Malta!

Concert
Iklin
30th May 2024
Calling all rock fans and glam enthusiasts!

Concert
Ta' Qali
6th - 9th June 2024
Earth Garden is back!

Festival
Valletta
22nd June 2024
A grand show!

Pageant show
Ta' Qali
26th June 2024
Mathematics Tour is coming to Malta!

Concert
Floriana
5th July 2024
BBC Radio 2 and the world-famous BBC Concert Orchestra are officially returning to Malta this July!

Concert