Din l-Art Helwa was amongst the first organisations to launch classic concerts performed in historical surroundings which form part of our rich heritage. For the last 16 years, during the cool late spring evenings, music aficionados have been gathering in the mystic medieval chapel of Santa Marija of Bir Miftuh, in Gudja, to enjoy quality performances of classic music. These are made possible by the patronage of some Embassies and Cultural organizations which, while promoting their musical culture, help raise funds for the local heritage.
Year in year out, Cettina Caruana Curran, wife of Judge Maurice Caruana Curran, Founder President of Din l-Art Helwa, works hard with the assistance of DLH staff and volunteers, for the success of this event.
This year, no less than four embassies through the efforts of their ambassadors and cultural directors, have kindly offered a hand by bringing to Malta artists who will help raise funds for the maintenance of the 17 properties in the care of Din l-Art Helwa.
The first concert is due on Friday 17 May at 8pm and will see an unusual performance by Patrick Bismuth, Baroque Violin and Bruno Procopio, Harpsichord. The programme includes fascinating works by Jean–Féry Rebel, François Couperin, Louis-Gabriel Guillemain, Jean-Marie Leclair and Jean-Philippe Rameau. This concert is being made possible with the support of the Embassy of France and the Alliance Française de Malte – Méditerranée
The second concert is due a week later on Friday, 24 May at 8pm and is sponsored by the Embassy of Germany, in celebration of the anniversary of the birth of Richard Wagner. The Concert by the Lucentum Horn Quartet, comprised of Jose Garcia Gutierrez, Gabriel Garcia Gutierrez, Jose Chanza Soria, and Alberto Garcia Izquierdo will be a unique opportunity to listen to a first class quartet of French horn players. Their eclectic programme includes stimulating works by Richard Wagner, Carl-Maria Von Weber, Anton Bruckner, Bernhard Edouard Muller, Heinz Reichert, Friedrich Constatin Homilius, Nicolai Tscherepnine and Lowell E. Shaw.
Friday 31 May 31 at 8pm will see a special edition concert celebrating the Irish Presidency of the EU and brought to us under the patronage of the Embassy of Ireland’s EU Cultural Programme, Culture Ireland and the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Leading Irish musicians, Hugh Tinney, piano, Fionnuala Hunt, violin and Christopher Marwood, cello will perform sparkling works by Irish composers John Field and Ian Wilson, a marvellous composition by Antonin Dvorak and a fiery tango by Astor Piazzolla. There will also be the participation of a Maltese musician and singer.
The closing concert on Saturday 15 June will host Italy’s contribution to the festival and will have the audience enthralled by the virtuoso Violin Solo Recital by young Paolo Tagliamento, who is only 15-years-old. He will play hauntingly beautiful works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Eugène Ysaye and Niccolò Paganini. This concert is being made possible with the support of the Embassy of Italy, the Istituto Italiano di Cultura, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Societa’ Umanitaria di Milano.
All concerts will be followed by a vin d’honneur and delicious bites which will be served al fresco on the church grounds. This is an occasion to meet music lovers from all over the world, to discuss and talk over the joy that music provides, especially when performed in surroundings such as the Chapel of Bir Miftuh that still enjoy their original rural setting.
Price of €20 per person for each concert includes reception. Block tickets for all 4 concerts and reception are available at €50 per person; Block tickets for two concerts and reception are €30 per person. Funds are in aid of DlH’s Restoration Fund. For reservations please call 21225952 or email: [email protected]