It’s back! A celebration of heritage and music at the Valletta Baroque Festival 2025
It’s all happening from the 9th to the 25th of January 2025.
The Valletta Baroque Festival will celebrate its 13th edition from the 9th to the 25th of January 2025. The festival will feature an impressive lineup of local and international artists, honouring Malta’s cultural heritage while attracting global audiences.
This festival plays a role in revitalising historical Maltese sites and fostering an immersive experience that combines music and architecture, drawing tourists to the country during winter and bolstering Malta’s reputation as a cultural destination.
The festival is set to promote Maltese heritage and provide a prestigious platform for artists. Frans Agius, CEO of Festivals Malta, expressed pride in showcasing Maltese talent at an internationally recognised event.
This year’s program includes prominent Maltese artists, such as violinist Carmine Lauri performing with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under Michael Laus’s direction, and Charlie Siem with the Abos Project & Consort, directed by Baroque specialist Bruno Brocorpio. Additionally, the Valletta Baroque Ensemble will perform under the direction of Steven Devine, presenting a rich blend of local and international talent.
Under the artistic leadership of Kenneth Zammit Tabona, the festival will celebrate the 300th anniversary of Alessandro Scarlatti’s death by opening with his oratorio ‘La Giuditta’. The following day, audiences can enjoy ‘Lachrimae Lyrae’ by Sokratis Sinopoulos at the National Museum of Archaeology.
Other highlights include Thomas Dunford and Théotime Langlois de Swarte’s ‘The Mad Lover’, SIGNUM Saxophone Quartet’s ‘Bachianas’, and Samuel Mariño’s vocal concert ‘My Voyage to Italy’ with Concerto de' Cavalieri. Ensemble Voces Sauves will present Monteverdi’s works, while the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will perform Bach Violin Concertos with soloists Charlie Siem and Carmine Lauri.
The festival will also celebrate William Christie's 80th birthday with a performance by Les Arts Florissants on the 24th of January, and honour Palestrina’s 500th anniversary with KorMalta performing his ‘Missa Papae Marcelli’.
For younger audiences, a special ‘Sound Explorers’ concert on the 19th of January will introduce children to Baroque music. Events will unfold across Malta’s iconic sites, including the Co-Cathedral of San Gwann, the Church of Lapsi, and Palaz tal-Verdala, providing a culturally rich experience within the historic heart of Valletta.
Will you be attending the Valletta Baroque Festival this year?