Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/441179
maltatoday, Sunday, 4 January 2015 This Week maltatoday, Sunday, 4 January 2015 Baroque Festival returns to Valletta this week The third edition of the Valletta International Baroque Festival 2015 is nearly here. The Festival builds on the success of the first two and starts on 10th January with 21 events over 15 days in seven venues. The success of the Baroque Festival on the inter- national cultural stage is evidenced by the growing interest from Tour Operators who are bringing in more overseas visitors specifically for this event. It is, therefore, advisable to book early for 2015 Festival as some events are already close to being sold out. The 2015 Festival is dedicated to the memory of Maltese composer Geronimo Abos as 2015 is the tercentennial anniversary of his birth. His music will be performed by Die Kölner Akademie, Pas- sacaglia Ensemble (which features some of the UK's leading period instrument players) and the Valletta International Baroque Ensemble. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment returns to perform the glorious Bach Passion ac- cording to St John in St John's Co-Cathedral which will be offset by Michelangelo Falvetti's magnificent 'Il Diluvio Universale', performed by the Cappella Mediterranea under the baton of Leonardo Garcia Alarcon at St Publius Church in Floriana, a new ad- dition to the list of venues for 2015. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Peter Stark, will present an innovative programme of 20th century works inspired by the baroque which includes a flute concerto by Lukas Foss performed by the Orchestra's own flautist Rebecca Hall. The Festival programme also includes music ranging from baroque piano transcriptions of music by Bach, Handel and Gluck performed by Dmytro Sukhovienko to sacred and profane baroque music from the Americas performed by Ensemble Villan- cico and Handel concert arias presented by Robert King conducting The King's Consort and coun- tertenor Iestyn Davies. Bach features strongly in this Festival; his Cello suites are performed by the world-renowned Sigiswald Kuijken who will play on that rare instrument a violoncello da spalla and his Goldberg Variations by local pianist Joanne Camill- eri. The European Union Baroque Ensemble will perform music by Handel and his London friends and the Festival's resident ensemble, the Val- letta International Baroque Ensemble (VIBE) will perform at two concerts. The Festival also includes events specifically for children and culminates with the Baroque Festival Ball which will be held at the Manoel Theatre on January 24. Bookings: www.vallettainternationalbaroque. com.mt or www.teatrumanoel.com.mt The European Union Baroque Orchestra will perform at the Manoel Theatre on January 22 January 2015 Saturday 10th Sunday 11th Sunday 11th Sunday 11th Monday 12th Tuesday 13th Wednesday 14th Thursday 15th Friday 16th Saturday 17th Saturday 17th Sunday 18th Sunday 18th Sunday 18th Monday 19th Tuesday 20th Wednesday 21st Thursday 22nd Friday 23rd Saturday 24th Saturday 24th TITLE OF PRODUCTION: Nine Lamentations Toi Toi Treasure Hunt Baroque Piano Transcriptions Music for the Grand Tour The Fruit of Love by Anthony Holborne South American Baroque Music Handel Concert Arias Girolamo Abos Abos, Handel and Steffani Bach Cello Suites 1-3 Inspired by Baroque: Ravel, Foss, Shostakovich, Strauss Toi Toi: Passacaglia Bach Cello Suites 4-6 Bach's Goldberg Variations Bach's St. John's Passion* Michelangelo Falvetti's "Il Diluvio Universale" Magnificat Handel and his London friends Works for Choir and Orchestra Gabrieli and Monteverdi Baroque Festival Ball TIME 7.30pm 10am 11am 5pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 12 noon 7.30pm 10am 12 noon 5pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 12 noon 9pm PROGRAMME: Lamentations by Gylbert Banaster, Edmund Sturton and Robert White for an a cappella choir A baroque-themed treasure hunt for all the family Transcriptions by Siloti, Sgambati, Kempff, Joseffy, Liszt and Busoni of music by Bach, Handel and Gluck The Italian Concerto from Venice to Naples: Porpora Vivaldi Corelli, Scarlatti A Concertino of Viols and rare instruments A selection of Sacred and Profane Baroque Music from the Americas Handel concert arias Commemorating the Tercentenary of the birth of Maltese composer Girolamo Abos. Arias by Abos, Arne and Handel Commemorating the Tercentenary of the birth of Maltese composer Girolamo Abos. Cello Suites 1-3 Ravel, Foss, Shostakovich, Strauss Baroque workshop for children Cello Suites 4-6 Piano performance with lecture An oratorio An oratorio Magnificat, Benedictus Dominus, Messa a due cori Music by Handel, Roman, Geminiani and Boyce Vivaldi Gloria and Psalms 113 121 147/ Campra Messa ad maiorem Dei Gloria Music by Gabrieli and Monteverdi PERFORMERS: Nederlands Kammerkoor directed by Paul van Nevel Dmytro Sukhovienko Concerto dei Cavalieri directed by Marcello di Lisa L'Acheron Ensemble directed by Francois Joubert Caillet Ensemble Villancico conducted by Peter Pontvik The King's Consort and countertenor Iestyn Davies conducted by Robert King Passacaglia Ensemble VIBE (Valletta International Baroque Ensemble) Sigiswald Kuijken Malta Philharmonic Orchestra soloist Rebecca Hall (flute) conducted by Peter Stark Sigiswald Kuijken Joanne Camilleri Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment conducted by Steven Devine La Cappella Mediterranea, the Namur Chamber Choir conducted by Leonardo Garcia Alarcon Die Kölner Akademie choir and orchestra conducted by Michael Willens European Union Baroque Orchestra conducted by Lars Ulrik Mortennsen Le Concert Spirituel conducted by Herve Niquet VIBE (Valletta International Baroque Ensemble) VENUE: St. Nicholas Church (All Souls) Studio Theatre Teatru Manoel Teatru Manoel Ta' Giezu Church President's Palace Teatru Manoel Ta' Giezu Church St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral All Souls Church Teatru Manoel Teatru Manoel All Souls Church Teatru Manoel St. John's Co-Cathedral St. Publius Church (Floriana) St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral Teatru Manoel St. Publius Church (Floriana) St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral Teatru Manoel