Overview
Malta is a highly apposite setting for the performance of Baroque music. During this period the island was ruled by the Knights of Malta or Knights Hospitaller, Valletta was completely rebuilt and the knights themselves were vigorous patrons of the arts, including music and architecture.
One of Europe’s oldest working theatres is the Teatru Manoel, built in 1731 at the behest of the Grand Master of the order, Fra António Manoel de Vilhena. With only 600 seats, the theatre is a masterpiece of carpentry, with three tiers of wooden boxes, gilded and painted, and a trompe-l’oeil ceiling. Opera companies visited Malta regularly, performing works by Hasse, Piccinni and Galuppi. Other buildings which host concerts during the festival include the Collegiate Church of the Immaculate Conception (1732), abundantly rich with superb works of art, the National Library (1776) and the Cathedral Museum in Mdina, a magnificent palace of 1733.
Valletta occupies a beautiful position on one of the world’s greatest natural harbours, and has fine buildings that still dominate the city. Our itinerary balances the concerts with lectures from our musicologist and visits and excursions to some of the great sites of the Maltese archipelago led by a local guide.
Day 1
Valletta. Fly at c. 11.30am (Air Malta) from London Heathrow. Drive to Valletta, a peninsula flanked by fine natural harbours and once the most strongly fortified city in Christendom. All five nights are spent here.
Day 2
Valletta. A lecture followed by a morning walk to introduce the city. Survey the massive fortifications protecting the landward approach and view the Grand Harbour from the ramparts. Afternoon visit to the Co-Cathedral of St John, one of the most interesting of Baroque buildings with lavish carved wall decoration, ceiling paintings, magnificent tombs and two paintings by Caravaggio. Some free time and an early dinner before the evening concert at St John’s Co-Cathedral: ViBE and KorMalta: St John Passion (Bach).
Day 3
Valletta. A morning lecture precedes some free time. Midday concert at the Oratory of the Onorati: Robin Pharo & Ensemble Près de votre oreille, Marin Marais Project. An afternoon visit to the National Museum of Art, installed in the Auberge d’Italie. Evening concert at the Teatru Manoel: Zefiro Ensemble, Alberto Bernardini (director): Follia - Dreams, Nightmares, Madness, The Charme of Disorder in Music.
Day 4
Valletta, Mdina. Lecture followed by a short drive to Mdina, Malta’s ancient capital and centre of the local aristocracy, an unspoilt citadel of great beauty with medieval walls and grand palazzi. Introductory walk then midday concert at Aula Capitulare: Alon Sariel (mandolinist): Plucked Bach. In the afternoon visit Palazzo Falson, a 13th-century private residence and now a house museum. Return to Valletta for an early dinner and evening concert at the Teatru Manoel: Holland Baroque and Wu Wei: Silk Baroque.
Day 5
Valletta. Morning lecture and visit within Valletta. Midday concert at the Basilica of St Dominic: Lucile Boulanger (viola de gamba): Bach-Abel: an exquisite filiation. A private tour of the Casa Rocca Piccola follows, a 16th-century palazzo owned by the Marquis de Piro, providing insight to the Maltese nobility of the last 400 years. Early evening concert at Teatru Manoel: Vox Luminis: Henry Purcell, King Arthur. Dinner follows the performance.
Day 6
Valletta, Paola, Tarxien. In Paola, the Hal Saflieni Hypogeum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only prehistoric underground burial site in the world. The Tarxien Temples site is the most complex in Malta and would have been the most decorative. It was rediscovered by accident in 1902 and is the source of outstanding carved reliefs and statues. Lunch then transfer to the airport for the return flight, arriving at London Heathrow at c. 7.30pm.
Professor John Bryan
Emeritus professor of Music at the University of Huddersfield, and a practising musician, he is a member of the Rose Consort of Viols and has performed with Musica Antiqua. An artistic adviser to York Early Music Festival, he founded the North East Early Music Forum, is chair of the Viola da Gamba Society and has been guest conductor of York Opera and The Academy of St Olave's. His book Early English Viols: Instruments, Makers and Music was published by Routledge in 2016. He has lectured on several previous Martin Randall Festivals.
Price, per person
Two sharing: £2,910 or £2,770 without flights. Single occupancy: £3,230 or £3,090 without flights.
Supplement per person for a harbour view, two sharing: £175; single occupancy: £350.
Included
Flights (economy class) with Air Malta (aircraft: Airbus 320neo); private coach; accommodation as below; breakfasts, 4 dinners and 1 lunch with wine, water, coffee; all admissions; all tips and taxes; the services of the lecturer, tour manager and local guide.
Music
First category concert tickets to 7 concerts, costing c.£240.
Accommodation
Hotel Phoenicia, Valletta: a 5-star hotel, recently refurbished and furnished with style and character, the best in Valletta and just outside the city gates. Harbour view rooms are available for a supplement. Rooms for solo travellers are doubles for sole use.
How strenuous?
The programme of visits involve walks of up to 30 minutes. Valletta is relatively hilly and streets are roughly paved. You will need to be comfortable with everyday walking and stair climbing. Average distance by coach per day: 7 miles.
Are you fit enough to join the tour?
Group size
Between 10 and 20 participants.
Travel advice
Before booking, please refer to the FCDO website to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting.
Combine with
Music in Berlin at New Year, 28 December 2023–3 January 2024
'The lecturer and tour manager made the tour with their enthusiasm, knowledge and thoughtfulness. I can’t praise them enough.'
'A fascinating glimpse of Malta’s history, from Neolithic to modern times. A varied and always interesting week.'
'Local guide, Dane Munro, was a treasure house of knowledge and provided a great perspective.'