Villa Corinthia came alive last Sunday with the sound of music as the inaugural concert in Corinthia Palace’s year-long Palace Concerts series opened in striking fashion.

An ensemble of accomplished musicians and singers led the audience on a deeply emotional journey that befitted the Easter season. Set within the Villa’s elegant surroundings, the programme offered beautiful renditions of the most beloved choral and instrumental works ever written as the evening moved gently from introspection to beauty and celebration.

The concert unfolded in two distinct parts: the first reflecting on human fragility, compassion and sorrow; the second opening into light, gratitude and joy. Across an uplifting 80-minute programme, featuring works by Jenkins, Mozart, Bach, Elgar and Fauré, the performance balanced emotional depth with joyous expression.

Guests were then welcomed to a reception of refined small plates prepared by chef Francesco Mazzei, accompanied by wine and prosecco.

The opening performance followed the formal launch of the Palace Concerts series, held last week at Villa Corinthia, where invited guests were treated to an intimate preview through a series of live musical excerpts. The event brought together leading Maltese musicians alongside emerging talent, offering a clear sense of the programme’s direction.

Set within the elegant interiors of the Villa, the launch brought together leading Maltese musicians and emerging talent, offering a glimpse of what audiences can expect from the year-long initiative. Among the standout moments was a performance by 10-year-old pianist Gabrijel Cassar-Cordina, whose poise and musicality drew particular attention and underlined the programme’s commitment to nurturing young talent alongside established artists like Gillian Zammit, Cliff Zammit Stevens and Matthew Fenech.

Guests also got to sample a selection of delightful bites and dishes by the Francesco Mazzei kitchen, which will feature throughout the concert series events.

Speaking at the launch, Alexandra Pisani, General Manager at Corinthia Palace, described the initiative as an expression of something long felt within Corinthia Palace, saying there is natural affinity with art, music and culture — something that has always lived quietly within the hotel’s atmosphere — and said the programme simply gives it form.

She emphasised that art is not an addition to hospitality, but an essential part of it: something ever-present, evolving and reflective of identity.

Through Palace Concerts, she said, the hotel becomes a vessel for that expression, where sound and creativity gently inhabit the space, shaping how it is experienced. At its most meaningful, hospitality should go beyond offering a room or service, she added — it should touch something internal, creating a sense of connection, emotion and resonance.

 

 

 

Corinthia director Alfred Camilleri, a classical music buff who painstakingly put together the concert programme, said the initiative is the first privately funded, year-long music series of its kind in Malta.

Bringing together 91 artists, the concert series is designed to be both distinctive and accessible, with each concert offering a unique interpretation of “beautiful, elegant music.” He highlighted the importance of providing a platform not only for recognised performers but also for emerging talent.

The programme will span a wide range of performances throughout the year, including chamber music, solo recitals and themed concerts. Highlights include a six-cello performance ahead of Mother’s Day in May, guitar classics in June, a piano recital by Francis Camilleri in July, and a series of summer concerts set in the hotel’s gardens. Later performances will feature works by Beethoven and Mozart, a clarinet concerto, and a Christmas concert inspired by the Corinthia Chairman’s wife, Maria Pisani.

Most concerts will be held within Villa Corinthia, with select events moving outdoors during the summer months. Across all settings, the emphasis remains on creating an atmosphere where music enhances the experience of the space.

As well as being a luxury hotel, Corinthia Palace is being transformed into a venue where music, culture and hospitality intersect. Indeed, a home for beautiful music.

For more information, click on: https://www.corinthia.com/en-gb/palace/palace-concerts/