Venite Adoremus

Join us for an enchanting special lunchtime concert filled with the spirit of the festive season at Our Lady of Victory church in Valletta!  This concert which will take you to a world of joy and festivity, is being held on Tuesday 19 December 2023 at 12:30pm. The lunchtime concerts are organised by Barocco Foundation, in collaboration with Din l-Art Ħelwa.

Inspiring soprano Charlene Portelli, accompanied by established pianist and harpist Dame Lydia Buttigieg on the piano, will open this concert with the timeless beauty of Caccini’s Ave Maria. This will be followed by The Virgin’s Slumber Song by Mag Reger, an enchanting aria that celebrates the peaceful moments of the season, and Gesu Bambino by Pietro A Yon, which is an uplifting festive classic.  Dame Lydia Buttigieg will play two piano solos, namely Mary did You Know by Lowry Greene which will invite us to the profound moments of the holiday season and Blake’s Walking in the Air. 

This enthralling programme proceeds with Do You Hear by Regney and Shayne followed by G. Verdi’s grand La Vergine degli Angeli from his opera ‘La Forza del Destino’ and the comforting notes of Silent Night by Franz X Gruber.  This special concert will conclude with On Hark the Heral Sing by Mendelssohn and the divine melody of Ave Maria by Bach/Gounod followed by a Christmas classic  O Holy Night by Adolphe-Charles Adam.

The Church of Our Lady of Victory, with its painted ceiling by baroque artist Alessio Erardi, is the first church of Valletta and a magnificent setting for the cultural events. It was 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. 

Venite Adoremus: will be held at Our Lady of Victory church, Valletta on Tuesday 19 December 2023 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.