Valletta International Baroque Festival

The best baroque music in one majestic city

The Valletta International Baroque Festival 2013 will start at the President’s Palace, with Vivalidi’s Quattro Stagioni performed by the internationally famous local violinist Carmine Lauri and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Mr. Michael Laus. 

Another incredible performing act is David Stern’s period instrument orchestra Opera fuoco. Established in 2003, this ensemble is dedicated to the interpretation of operatic repertoire from the 18th and 19th centuries. Opera Fuoco will perform Johann Christian Bach’s Zanaida in full Baroque costume and staging. David Stern and Opera Fuoco had the honour of bringing Zanaida back to life with a ‘world premiere’ at the Bach Fest in Leipzig in 2011.

The Combattimento Consort Amsterdam will also be performing two separate programmes, the Pinpinone Dinner at the Auberge de Provence and a concert inside the Jesuit Church. Founded in 1982, the Combattimento Consort Amsterdam specialises in music from 1600-1800, regularly touring the world with its period repertoire.

The Valletta International Barqoue Festival will also see Christophe Rousset, together with his ensemble Les Talens Lyriques, as they perform Georg Friederich Händel’s Terpsichore. This performance will bring an interesting interaction of Baroque music with dance and an amalgamation of solo arias, choral movements and orchestral writing for dance.

The King’s Consort - one of the major Baroque ensembles in Europe - will be performing a number of operatic arias sung by local Soprano Claire Debono in a programme called Handel’s Heroes. Furthermore, the New Century Baroque ensemble featuring violinist Nadia Debono will perform inside the historic Jesuit Church while a Maltese adaptation of Moliere's Don Juan will be staged at the Teatru Manoel.

The Valletta International Baroque Festival 2013 seems to be one of the most exciting festivals to open the year in style, so stay tuned for more detailled information!