Spanish Classical Guitar Extravaganza

The magnificent church of Our Lady of Victory will once again host the popular weekly lunchtime concert organised by Barocco Foundation in collaboration with Din l-Art Ħelwa. This eclectic guitar concert will feature the virtuoso classical guitarist Bernard Catania and will take place on Tuesday 06 February at 12:30pm.

The interesting programme opens with the intricate and soul-stirring Prelude VI by the Mexican composer Manuel Ponce, followed by a Maltese composition from Gordon Mizzi, Song of the Seas, reflecting the classical elements and modern sensibilities. Bernard will then perform the timeless masterpiece Adagio from Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquim Rodrigo,  followed by  pieces from iconic Spanish composers namely Isaac Albeniz’s dramatic  melody Asturias from ‘Leyanda’and the traditional Spanish folk Danza Espanola No. 5 from ‘Andaluza’ by Enrique Granados.  The intruiging programme proceeds with two pieces by another Spanish composer, Francisco Tarruega,  Recuerdo de la Alhambra capturing the essence of Moorish beauty and the expressive Capriccio Arabe.

This recital concludes with a sublime selection of pieces such as,  El Noy de la Mar and El Testament d’Amelia which are Catalan musical melodies by Miguel Llobet, the rhythmic Allegro from Sonatina in A by Federico Moreno-Torroba together with Joaquín Turina’s traditional dances Garrotin and Soleares and the timeless beauty of Spanish Ballad and Malagueña, both Spanish traditional melodies.

The Church of Our Lady of Victory is a magnificent setting for cultural events, with its painted ceiling by baroque artist Alessio Erardi. It is the first church of Valletta, built by Grand Master de Valette and the Order of St John after their victory in the Great Siege of 1565.  It has been restored by Din l-Art Ħelwa, voluntary National Trust of Malta. 

After the concert, patrons are invited for free to the cellar of the church to watch a short documentary about the building, history, and the restoration of this gem. 

 Spanish Classical Guitar Extravaganza will be held at Our Lady of Victory church, Valletta on Tuesday 06 February 2024 at 12:30pm. Entrance to the concert is at a suggested donation of €10.  One can obtain the tickets prior to the concert from the venue itself or by email: baroccobookings@gmail.com or phone 79680952.