Twelve years ago, in the heart of Valletta – a city celebrated for its iconic Baroque splendour—Kenneth Zammit Tabona, Artistic Director of the Valletta Baroque Festival, launched this remarkable cultural event.

On the eve of this year’s festival, Very Valletta sat down with Zammit Tabona to explore the highlights of this year’s edition, his personal journey, artistic legacy, and the timeless magic of this annual celebration

A Life Steeped in Art and Culture

From his earliest years, Kenneth Zammit Tabona exhibited a flair for the arts. “As a toddler, I was already playing with crayons and coloured pencils,” he recalled. His passion blossomed despite societal norms that rarely supported artistic careers in Malta during his early youth. “Art initially remained a cherished hobby until destiny intervened”, he recounted.

Meeting Nicholas de Piro, an affable influential figure in Malta’s cultural landscape, proved transformative. De Piro invited Zammit Tabona to illustrate Lost Letters, a collection of fictitious historical letters published in 1986. This unexpected opportunity propelled him into the art world, leading to exhibitions that garnered wide acclaim.

Parallel to his burgeoning art career, Zammit Tabona pursued a long tenure at Barclays Bank (later Mid-Med), where his creativity shone in the communications and public relations department. Organising artistic sponsorships, publishing historical studies, and producing celebrated calendars featuring Maltese artists allowed his cultural pursuits to merge with his professional career.

Theatrical Roots and a Passion for Baroque

Zammit Tabona told Petra that his connection with Baroque music can be traced back to his upbringing in a family passionate about opera. His father and grandmother shared animated discussions about legendary opera performances, imprinting the magic of music deeply within him.

This musical affinity crystallised when he joined the board of the Manoel Theatre in 1989. Under the mentorship of opera expert Alfredo Spiteri Mallia, who for many years was on the theatre’s management committee, he learned the intricate process of staging operatic productions. His directorial debut with Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito, complete with hand-designed costumes and sets inspired by Piranesi’s engravings of Rome’s most famous landmarks, was a tribute to Mallia’s enduring influence.

Creating the Valletta Baroque Festival

In 2011, driven by a lifelong vision, Zammit Tabona founded the Valletta Baroque Festival, transforming Malta’s Baroque heritage into a world-class cultural celebration. Securing crucial support from Malta’s Ministry of Finance, he launched the inaugural edition in January 2013, turning a traditionally slow tourism month into a vibrant cultural highlight.

The festival’s venues themselves narrate Malta’s Baroque story. Among Zammit Tabona’s favourites is the Jesuits’ Church in Valletta, a place filled with personal and historical resonance. “I’ve always felt at home there,” he shared emotionally, reminiscing about childhood visits with his mother.

A Legacy of Artistic Excellence

Under Zammit Tabona’s leadership, the festival has flourished and expanded beyond the fortified walls of the capital to other impressive venues across the Islands. Its success also inspired the creation of two musical offshoots: the Valletta Baroque Ensemble and the Abos Project and Consort, fostering Maltese talent in Baroque music.

Organised by Festivals Malta every January, under his artistic direction, the festival highlights the enormous versatility of the baroque expression and its mass appeal. Above all the festival’s strength lies in the wonderful baroque settings that one finds in Valletta and the Maltese archipelago; a precious legacy that every Maltese treasures.

When asked by Petra about this year’s festival being held between the 9-25th January, Zammit Tabona said that this edition promises captivating performances, including a dance interpretation of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, a tribute concert for harpsichord virtuoso William Christie at Teatru Manoel, and an immersive staging of Alessandro Scarlatti’s La Giuditta at St John’s Co-Cathedral among various other highlights.

The Spirit of Innovation

While honouring Baroque traditions, Zammit Tabona continuously seeks innovation. “I’m not a purist,” he said. His programme includes imaginative reinterpretations, such as a jazz-inspired Bach concert and contemporary commissions echoing Baroque themes.

The Baroque festival is a journey of artistic exploration, bringing diverse people together through the shared language and love of Baroque music. Zammit Tabona’s passion for inclusivity and artistic innovation ensures that the Valletta Baroque Festival remains a vital and evolving celebration of Malta’s rich heritage. This year will be no exception.

As the Valletta Baroque Festival continues to captivate audiences worldwide, Kenneth Zammit Tabona’s passion and vision remain its beating heart- a legacy woven from artistry, heritage, and an enduring love for Malta’s Baroque soul.

You can experience this year’s edition of the Valletta Baroque Festival for three weeks between the 9-25th January. With over 30 performances the festival offers a classic experience of all that is Baroque as it takes place in exquisite venues such as St John’s Co-Cathedral, The Verdala Palace, Palazzo Parisio, and Manoel Theatre to name a few. Contact us for more information on the festival and for bookings to the various performances.