Valletta, founded by and for the Order of Malta in the 16th century, is home to many monuments that bear witness to the Baroque period. In the capital, as in many other parts of the archipelago, the musical notes of the great masters have resonated in palaces, churches and theatres and it is to celebrate the strong link between Malta and the Baroque that the Valletta Baroque Music Festival was created in 2013, the flagship event at the beginning of each year. For fans of period music, a getaway to Malta from 10 to 25 January 2020 is an opportunity to participate in many prestigious concerts, to enjoy the sweetness of Malta at this time of year and to discover the many Baroque monuments of Valletta and other surrounding cities. On this subject, Visit Europe offers half-board and full board stays at very attractive rates

Enjoy exceptional programming

For this 8th edition, the Valletta Baroque Music Festival has a remarkable programme. It is prestigious artists, from Malta but also from all over the world, who come to perform great Baroque composers such as Fiorenza, Handel, Bach and Vivaldi. Among the names on the programme are the baroque ensemble Les Contre-Subjets, La Serenissima, Joel Frederiksen and the Phoenix Munich ensemble, harpsichordist Jory Vinikour and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. Other highlights include the opening concert, with Les musiciens du Louvre and Vivica Genaux at Teatru Manoel. In total, more than 30 concerts to immerse yourself in history and bring back to life the great composers

Music in harmony with a rich historical heritage

What better place than Valletta, and Malta in general, for the holding of a musical highlight dedicated to baroque music. The Baroque style was introduced on the archipelago at the beginning of the 17th century, it then became popular from the middle to the end of the same century and reached its peak in the 18th century with the construction of monuments such as the Auberge de Castille. It is therefore not for nothing that Valletta's architectural heritage is now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also to highlight these precious monuments that the festival was created, so that the music of the great composers and musicians of the Baroque period can be heard in places that are the splendid heritage of that period. Thus, during the festival, the public has the opportunity to enter some of Valletta's most beautiful places, such as the Teatru Manoel, an Italian-style theatre with 623 seats and simply the third oldest theatre in Europe still in operation. Still in the Maltese capital, the concerts provide an opportunity to pass through the doors of splendid churches and cathedrals with remarkable acoustics, such as the Sainte-Augustine church and the Saint-Jean co-cathedral

The festival is also an opportunity to visit other places outside Valletta and offers a walk to the most beautiful Baroque sites. How could we not extend to the Verdala Palace near Mdina, a sublime country residence that takes place in the middle of Buskett's gardens. It is also worth mentioning the palace of San Anton, in Attard, which has the particularity of being surrounded by a garden planted with orange trees. Direction Naxxar to settle in the heart of the Parisio palace, which, if it bears the name of the Sicilian family that acquired it in 1737, obtained all its splendour when it was bought by another noble family: the Scicluna family. It is also clear that baroque music concerts make sense when they take place in places of worship, because of the sound they emanate. This is why the festival also takes spectators to other beautiful churches outside the Maltese capital such as the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in Bormla and the Church of St George in Qormi

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Valletta, the jewel of the Mediterranean

What if the Valletta Baroque Music Festival was an opportunity to discover the capital of Malta, which knows how to use its charm to win over the hearts of its visitors? Before joining the concerts at noon, in the afternoon or in the evening, you should take the time to get lost in the cobbled streets of the 16th century, which is certainly one of the most beautiful capitals in the Mediterranean. The city, built on a rocky spur and which protrudes into the blue shades of the sea, seems to have remained unchanged for centuries and to have preserved all that makes it so beautiful. We then stop in front of the most beautiful monuments, including palaces and inns. It is also necessary to go through the Auberge de Provence, which hosts the National Museum of Archaeology. Then later, join Republic Street to see Casa Rocca Piccola, which is well worth a visit. We then appreciate the atmosphere that emerges from this residence which belongs to one of the great Maltese families. After a concert, we then reach the Waterfront, the preferred place to go out in Valletta. On the quays, there are now a multitude of bars and restaurants that take place to enjoy a drink in the sun and taste Maltese cuisine. To remember the sweet musical notes heard, a walk in the gardens of Upper Barracca is a must. They offer a green walk, with eucalyptus trees, hibiscus pines and pistachio trees. You can also enjoy sublime panoramic views of the Three Cities, Fort Saint-Ange de Birgu, the districts of Senglea and Cospicua, the Grand Port and the sea.

Then, during the day, do not miss taking the boat from the Grand Port to reach the Three Cities, which face Valletta. Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua are today splendid and peaceful popular cities where it is pleasant to walk through the streets and alleys in a 100% Mediterranean atmosphere

The Valletta Baroque Music Festival is a flagship event in the field. The capital of Malta and its surroundings, jewels of this period, appear as a place designed for this important event. A getaway in January is also an opportunity to enjoy a mild and mild winter to explore the city, with temperatures around 16°C during the day. So many reasons to fly for a unique festival, to one of the most beautiful destinations in the Mediterranean