The Friday Evening Concert Series is being launched at the Sagrestia Vault at the Valletta Waterfront. The first one, “The Art of the Clarinet”, to be held on Friday 2 March at 7.30pm, will feature the Denner Clarinet Quartet.
The unique venue, the beautiful 300-year old Sagrestia Vault, is ideal for this genre of concerts and performances. Its size and architecture give a great sense of intimacy to musical performances that has delighted the audiences in the past few months.
The series is being coordinated and managed by Barocco Cultural Events, which since last summer have already organised a series of vocal and soloist recitals. A number of musicians and vocalists will perform in a variety of concerts for string quartets, clarinet quartets, saxophonist, operatic highlights and various other instrumentalists. Complimentary drinks will be offered to the audience.
The Friday Concert Series for March will feature the Almaz Clarinet Quartet on 9 March, Joe Vella on his saxophone accompanied by pianist Juliette Lopez on 16 March, and finally operatic excerpts by soprano Marita Bezzina and tenor Joe Aquilina on 23 March.
The Denner Clarinet Quartet which is to perform on 2 March is today one of the most versatile classical ensembles on the islands. Their repertoire varies from arranged classical masterpieces to commissioned contemporary works.
The quartet started originally as a Clarinet Trio on the initiative of Lino Pirotta and later evolved into a quartet with the introduction of the bass clarinet. In a short period the clarinet quartet established itself on the local music scene, with various concerts around Malta.
The Denner Quartet is made up of Lino Pirotta on the B flat/E flat clarinet, William Debattista on the B flat clarinet, Neville Pace on the B flat/alto clarinet and Christopher M. Camilleri on the bass clarinet.
The one-hour concert will feature Sonata III by Rossini, Quartet Opus 2 by Crusell, Quartet by Carmelo Pace, Caprice for Clarinets and Die Kunst Der Klarinette by Holloway.
The Sagrestia Vault’s entrance is through the chapel at the Valletta Waterfront. Tickets cost Lm5. A special offer is being introduced for music lovers: those who attend the first three concerts are entitled to a free entrance to the fourth concert.
Booking open on [email protected] or on 7968 0952. Tickets are also available at the door prior to concert.