Barocco Foundation – Lunchtime Concert

16 Apr 2024 - 12:30

Heroes and Villains – Characters from Broadway and the Silver Screen

Our Lady of Victory in Valletta will once again host the popular weekly lunchtime concert on Tuesday 16 April 2024 at 12:30pm organised by Barocco Foundation with the collaboration of Din l-Art Helwa.  Well-known baritone Ken Scicluna and extraordinary pianist Milica Lawrence will showcase the heroes and villains of Broadway classics and movies.

The timeless “Send in the Clowns” by Stephen Sondheim opens this captivating programme, followed by Arthur Sullivan’s “The Lost Chord”, a serene piece that takes us to a realm of sublime tranquillity, to be ensued by “The Man of La Mancha”, reminiscent of a fantastic world of chivalry and adventure. The programme unfolds with “Climb Every Mountain” by Rodgers and Hammerstein, an uplifting classic from The Sound of Music with its message of perseverance. This is  followed by the timeless romance of Cole Porter’s “So in Love”, a ballad that captures the bliss of newfound love and the bittersweet longing in “If Ever I Would Leave You” by Frederick Loewe.

The programme includes the evocative melodies of Henry Mancini’s “Slow Hot Wind” and the ethereal beauty of a piano solo by Milica Lawrence, “Memories of Green” by Vangelis. From the beloved musical Fiddler on the Roof, Ken will perform “If I Were a Rich Man” which has an infectious energy and spirited charm to be followed by “Oh What a Beautiful Morning” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical Oklahoma!

As the concert nears its end, the duo will present the poignant ballad “They Call the Wind Maria” from Frederick Loewe’s Paint Your Wagon, the iconic song “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha by Mitch Leigh and the breathtaking majesty of “Stars” from Jean Claude-Michel Schönber’s Les Miserables.

The Church of Our Lady of Victory is a magnificent setting for cultural events, with its painted ceiling by baroque artist Alessio Erardi. It is the first church of Valletta, built by Grand Master de Valette and the Order of St John after their victory in the Great Siege of 1565.  It has been restored by Din l-Art Ħelwa, voluntary National Trust of Malta.

After the concert, patrons are invited for free to the cellar of the church to watch a short documentary about the building, history, and the restoration of this gem.

Heroes and Villains – Characters from Broadway and the Silver Screen: will be held at Our Lady of Victory church, Valletta on Tuesday 16th April 2024 at 12:30pm. Entrance to the concert is at a suggested donation of €10.  One can obtain the tickets prior to the concert from the venue itself or by email: baroccobookings@gmail.com or phone 79680952