Voices in Bloom

The first lunchtime concert of 2026 will take place on Tuesday 6 January at the historic Our Lady of Victory Church in Valletta. These popular weekly lunchtime concerts are organised by Barocco Foundation in collaboration with Din l-Art Ħelwa and continue to offer audiences an opportunity to enjoy high-quality live music in one of Malta’s most treasured sacred spaces.

This opening concert of the year will feature two exciting young vocal talents, emerging soprano Mariah Costa and promising soprano Gabrielle Portelli, accompanied by the versatile pianist Ramona Zammit Formosa. Together they present a varied and expressive programme that spans Maltese song, German lieder, French mélodie and some of the most beloved operatic repertoire.

The concert opens with the evocative Maltese song Mejju ġie bil-ward u ż-żahar by Vella Gregory, setting a lyrical and atmospheric tone. Mariah Costa follows with Bellini’s La Ricordanza, a delicate bel canto reflection filled with longing and elegance, while Gabrielle Portelli offers the radiant charm of Kunneke’s Strahlender Mond.

The programme continues with Humperdinck’s serene Evening Prayer, before moving into operatic brilliance with the sparkling Jewel Song from Gounod’s Faust, sung by Mariah Costa, and Verdi’s iconic aria Gualtier Malde… Caro nome from Rigoletto, performed by Gabrielle Portelli. A highlight of the concert is the celebrated Flower Duet, showcasing the two sopranos together in rich vocal harmony.

Mariah Costa then returns with Tchaikovsky’s introspective Why?, followed by Gabrielle Portelli’s tender interpretation of Liszt’s O quand je dors. The expressive Italian song Nebbie by Respighi allows Mariah Costa to explore deeper emotional colours, while Gabrielle Portelli concludes her solo selections with the exuberant Frühlingsstimmen by Johann Strauss II. The concert closes on a light-hearted and entertaining note with Rossini’s much-loved Cat Duet, bringing together both singers in playful musical dialogue.

Voices in Bloom: will be held at Our Lady of Victory church, Valletta on Tuesday 06 January at 12:30pm. Entrance to the concert is at a suggested donation of €13.  One can obtain the tickets prior to the concert from the venue itself or by email: baroccobookings@gmail.com/baroccomalta@gmail.com or phone 79680952.