Great success for the Valletta Baroque Festival 2026

PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR CULTURE, LANDS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Photo by Elisa Von Brockdorff

The Valletta Baroque Festival, a production by Festivals Malta, ended on 25th January with great success with a record audience of 6,500 people, both from Malta and abroad.

Since its opening on January 8, the 32 concerts have been very well received by those who attended, further confirming the festival's position as one of the key events in the European cultural calendar and a major platform for Baroque and early music.

Under the artistic direction of Kenneth Zammit Tabona, this 14th edition welcomed a strong range of international and local artists and ensembles. The concerts took place in iconic venues such as St John’s Co-Cathedral and the Manoel Theatre with packed halls throughout the festival.

The programme included large-scale vocal and instrumental works, as well as the recently discovered Baroque opera Pelopida by Girolamo Abos, which was premiered at this year’s festival and was one of the main events. In addition, the festival welcomed big names in the classical and Baroque music scene, including Carmine Lauri, Charlie Siem, Niklas Liepe, and the Tenebrae Choir, among others.

The Valletta Baroque Festival is organised by Festivals Malta in collaboration with the Manoel Theatre, with the support of Visit Malta and the Ministry for Culture, Arts and Local Government, and sponsored by Schweppes.

For more information on the festival and other events organised by Festivals Malta, visit www.festivals.mt.