Critic's choice
Valletta Baroque Festival : from 9th to 25th January 2025
Since its launch in 2013, the Valletta Baroque Festival has treated audiences to a unique event featuring some of the best soloists and ensembles in the baroque music scene.
Spanning over three weeks, the festival offers a quintessential 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 Teatru Manoel to name a few. These venues are authentic Baroque spaces adorned with lavish decor, sculptures and paintings that are typical of this period.
Organised by Festivals Malta every January, under the artistic direction of Kenneth Zammit Tabona, the festival highlights the enormous versatility of the baroque idiom 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 each and every one of us Maltese treasure.
Тhe Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and Camille Thomas Pay Tribute to Legendary Charles Aznavour with a special album "Aznavouriana"
In May 2024, the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, led by Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Sergey Smbatyan, collaborated with Franco-Belgian cellist Camille Thomas to release Aznavouriana—a tribute album celebrating the legendary French-Armenian singer and songwriter Charles Aznavour on the occasion of his 100th anniversary. Released by Deutsche Grammophon, this album features exquisite interpretations of Aznavour’s beloved songs, including classics like “La Bohème,” “She,” and “Emmenez-moi,” all beautifully arranged for cello and orchestra. These symphonic arrangements present a fresh perspective on Aznavour’s iconic music, transforming his cherished melodies through classical interpretation.
The idea for the album originated after a performance in Yerevan, where Smbatyan invited Thomas to perform an Aznavour piece as an encore. The audience's overwhelmingly positive response led to the proposal of a collaborative album dedicated to Aznavour’s music. This partnership reflects Aznavour's embrace of both his French and Armenian heritage, uniting an Armenian orchestra with a French cellist to celebrate their shared legacy.
Camille Thomas shared her deep connection to Aznavour’s music, stating, “I’ve been listening to Aznavour’s music since I was born—it has been flowing in my veins forever. It was wonderful to see that same music flow into the hands of Armenian musicians and to feel the shared heritage between us.”
Aznavouriana comprises 15 tracks that breathe new life into Aznavour’s legendary music, spanning 51 albums in 42 languages. The orchestral arrangements, combined with Thomas’s emotional performance, illuminate the timeless quality of his work, capturing the emotional depth that made Aznavour a global icon. The album also features a special duet with Italian-French singer Carla Bruni.
“This album offers a unique approach to Aznavour’s legacy,” remarked Smbatyan. “For the orchestra and for me personally, it’s a privilege to perform the music of this French-Armenian legend alongside our dear friend, Camille Thomas. It is also an honor for us to have Aznavouriana released by Deutsche Grammophon.”
Made possible by the generous support of Acba Bank and the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund, Aznavouriana is available on all major streaming platforms. A portion of the album's profits will support refugees from Artsakh through the Aznavour Foundation.