Valletta International Baroque Festival 2014

Constructed by the Knights of St John after the Great Siege in 1565, Valletta has become an established city of culture, economy and politics in the world. Embellished at the height of the baroque period, Valletta rose to become a city built for gentlemen by gentlemen.

The Valletta International Baroque festival has been created to celebrate this baroque identity in Valletta. For a fortnight between the 10th and 26th January 2014, Valletta will be full of the familiar sounds from the period of when it was first built.

This forthcoming international festival will be the second edition of the Valletta International Baroque Festival and will not only confirm and enhance Valletta’s prestige but will also promote to Europe that this small historical outpost in the Mediterranean has over the centuries played a vital role in European history.

Centering around the Teatru Manoel, one of the oldest working theatres in Europe which is also the only one in Europe that is also Malta's National Theatre, the Festival will also extend across to St John’s Co-Cathedral, the atmospheric Valletta churches, the magnificent Grandmasters’ Palace and other baroque edifices. 

A majority of the events will be musical however, the programme will also place some focus on opera and theatre.

Hotel Phoenicia is proud to be associated with the Valletta International Baroque Festival for the second year running.

For more information about the festival and bookings and to download a copy of the official programme please click here.

Opera Festival - La Clemenza di Tito

La Clemenza di Tito (The Clemency of Titus) is an opera composed of two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Set in Rome in 79AD this well known operatic performance tells the story about The emperor Tito narrowly escaping the attack of his best friend Sesto as he plotted against him under pressure from his beloved Vitellia.

Part of the Teatru Manoel BOV Performing Arts Festival, on the 20th - 23rd March, a predominantly all-Maltese cast, led by Cliff Zammit Stevens and Nicholas Darmanin, will perform an original production of Mozart's popular opera with the Italian libretto by Caterino Mazzolà. Soloists include David Hansen in the part of Sesto accompanied by The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Damiano Binetti.

Who should attend?

La Clemenza di Tito is a recommended to adults and children aged 6+

Where is it taking place?

La Clemenza di Tito will be held at the Teatru Manoel, Valletta between the 20th - 23rd March. The performance begins at 19:30. Ticket prices vary from €20 - €60. For more information please contact bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt  or call (+356) 21246389

Christmas Gala 2013 in Valletta

In collaboration with the Austrian Embassy in Malta, Prima Ballerina Nina Polakova of the Vienna State Opera and her ballet partner Eno Peci will grace the stage of the MCC.

What to expect?

Nina Polakova and Eno Peci with other Ballet Stars from Prague's National Theatre and International soloists including Barbara Kohoutkova and Martin Dvoark, will be performing various famous pieces. You can expect The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and Giselle. The evening will also include the participation of the YADA Dance Company with their opening act Walzer from The Nutcracker.

Who should attend?

The Christmas Gala Ballet is a unique event in its entirety and can be enjoyed by adults and children alike.

Where is it taking place?

The Christmas Gala Ballet will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta on the 28th December 2013. The performance begins at 20:00. For more information please contact maltaartevents@gmail.com or call +356 21802383, 25595750/1 or 77404040.

Hotel Phoenicia hosts the 2013 Malta Artisan Market

Have you ever been to the Malta Artisan Fair? If not, you're definitely missing out. See what you can be up to while you're in Malta!

What to expect?

The Malta Artisan Fair, often described as Malta’s authentic local market, enjoys a tremendous reputation for offering the opportunity to buy locally produced, high quality, affordable products direct from carefully selected artists, craftspeople and food producers while positioning the fairs in beautiful historic or architecturally interesting locations around the island.

The fair is a feast for the eyes and taste buds. Tables and chairs will be provided so that you can sit and relax while enjoying the taste of local artisan foods. Of course you can shop for beautiful local arts and crafts at your leisure as well as enjoy music played by local artists.

Who should attend?

The Malta Artisan Fair caters for a variety of people. Whether you are a tourist or a local, you can come with your family and friends. Children will also be able to participate with artists themselves in creative activities.

Where is it taking place?

The 2013 Malta Artisan Fair will take place at Hotel Phoenicia in Valletta, specifically in the extravagant Grand Ballroom.

When is it happening?

The event will take place on the 14th and 15th of December 2013, between 10am and 5pm.

Special Winter Offer. 30% discount on the daily rate for stays during November to February. See terms and conditions. This is a Limited Time Offer - BOOK NOW

One of Malta's fastest-growing biennial events

Something not to be missed if you are in Malta at the end of October, thirty six choirs from all over the world, including Malta, will be coming together to perform at The Malta International Choir Competition Festival taking place for the fifth time within easy walking distance of the Phoenicia.
Almost all the venues are in Valletta or Floriana, on the hotel's doorstep. The festival, a fast-growing biennial event, is a feast of the beauty of music as it brings people from all walks of life together to share a unique musical experience. The festival is open to all those who love music, singers and audience alike.
We caught up with one of the organisers, Martin Morana, to hear about how preparations are unfolding for this year's event. Read what Martin had to say..

Baroque Beauty - Phoenicia Sponsors the Valletta Baroque Festival for the second year running.

In the last few years, Valletta, Malta’s capital city, has thrown off its reputation as a musty, dusty destination where there is little to do but go to museums. Today vibrant Valletta offers concerts, films, open-air exhibitions, quality dining, international brand stores, refined cultural exhibits and more. Those living here - both Maltese and locals - are eager to welcome new faces. One of the new faces last year was Malta's very first International Baroque Festival and for the second successive year Phoenicia are sponsoring this January 2014 festival that includes twenty-three great performances, three Toi Toi sessions and a Baroque Costume Ball in just over two weeks.

Phoenicia caught up with Festival Artistic Director Kenneth Zammit Tabona for an inside glimpse. Read full article..

Free Bike Parking For Joseph Calleja concert 1st August

Those attending the concert on a bicycle will be able to park at the Phoenicia for free, some 100 metres from the concert venue and within very easy walking distance, deposit their bicycle and helmet so that the bicycle will remain in the safe keeping of the hotel until the cyclist collects their two-wheeler after the concert. The decision to give free support to cyclists is the Phoenicia's latest attempt to encourage locals as well as international visitors to reduce traffic congestion and to make attendance at the Joseph Calleja concert possible for those who would prefer to use non-carbon emitting transport.
To book your bicycle at the Phoenicia's depository call Justine Storace on 22911021 or email: sales@phoeniciamalta.com 

 Eurovision singer Gianluca Bezzina on his bicycle at Phoenicia Hotel, just across from the concert venue where he will be performing with Joseph Calleja and Zucchero on August 1, helping to promote cyclists to attend the concert on two wheels and make use of the free bicycle depository at Phoenicia for the event.

Here is a little recap on the Monday jazz event in the Phoenicia Hotel. Hope you enjoy the read:'The Flight of the Phoenix'. 



From Ogilvy Malta

Jazz Paintings by Jeni Caruana

A Brush with Jazz - An exhibition by Jeni at Hotel Phoenicia
15th to th 24th July 2013

To coincide with the Malta Jazz Festival and the Jazz on the fringe 2013, Jeni Caruana will be exhibiting a selection of her works at the Palm Court Lounge at the Phoenicia Hotel.
 

With her new exhibition at Phoenicia, Jeni Caruana shows how her work as a pioneer impressionist painter of Malta’s jazz scene has created an international iconography to wide acclaim that has deepened audience enjoyment in Malta’s premier jazz festival. Jeni’s Jazz Cocktails highlight her auricular brush with Malta’s jazz performers in scintillating chromatic intensity with a range of painting forms including representation, collage, advanced graphic techniques and abstract impressionism. All Jeni’s jazz paintings are created live at the events and not working from photos or sketches. The works are therefore immediate impressions created on the spot, which is what lends the paintings a unique and distinctive character. The exhibition runs to July 24 at Phoenicia’s Palm Court.

Jazz at Phoenicia Hotel

Al fresco Jazz on The Fringe at Phoenicia, Monday 15 July. Free Entrance. More info http://bit.ly/10xJhp2