Songs of Love, Night and Serenity

Barocco Foundation, in collaboration with Din l-Art Ħelwa, is pleased to present a captivating lunchtime concert on Tuesday 20th May 2025 at 12:30pm, held in the serene and historic setting of Our Lady of Victory Church in Valletta. This concert features soprano Alexandra Camilleri Gambin and tenor Jester Rosales, joined by pianist Elaine Mercieca, whose artistry will bring warmth and colour to this richly varied programme.

The recital opens with two elegant arias by Joseph Haydn—Saper vorrei se m’ami and O Tuneful Voice—pieces that showcase both vocal agility and heartfelt expression. The programme continues with O del mio dolce ardor by Christoph Willibald Gluck, a timeless aria of longing and romantic yearning, followed by Ah, Love But a Day by American composer Amy Beach, which explores the fleeting nature of love.

The concert then moves into the depths of 19th-century German Lieder, beginning with Schubert’s serene and introspective Nacht und Träume, and Schumann’s In der Nacht, a piece infused with nocturnal mystery and emotional tension. Italian composer Ottorino Respighi’s Nebbie offers a moment of haunting stillness.

From the French repertoire, the programme includes the prayerful beauty of Fauré’s En Prière, as well as L’heure exquise by Poldowski, a delicate setting of Verlaine’s poetry that reflects the quiet joy of a perfect moment.

Adding a touch of cultural diversity, Jester Rosales performs Kundiman ng Langit by Filipino composer Espino, a tender and passionate piece rooted in the traditional song form of the Philippines. The recital concludes with Passion Spent, a rarely performed gem from Tchaikovsky’s Op. 46 No. 5, full of rich harmonies and emotional depth, bringing the programme to a moving and contemplative close.

Besides enjoying the fascinating music, the Church of Our Lady of Victory itself is worth a visit. Seeping with history and rich in architecture and artistic works, mainly due to it being the first church of Valletta and its painted baroque ceiling by Alessio Erardi, Our Lady of Victory is one of Malta’s richest treasures.  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 audio-visual show about the building, history and the restoration of this gem.

Songs of Love, Night and Serenity: wil be held at Our Lady of Victory church, Valletta on Tuesday 20 May 2025 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.