Ever since Maestro Vella`s demise, Family Vella has been exploring ways and means to further promote the major works of Malta’s leading contemporary composer.

This resulted in a fruitful collaboration with Festivals Malta, focused on three of Maestro Joseph Vella`s more elaborate compositions.

Family Vella is pleased to share the news that two major Vella works will be performed during the Three Palaces Early Opera & Music Festival  (https://www.festivals.mt/ttp), which is a 10-day festival organised by Festivals Malta that takes place during the first two weeks of November.

The Festival is an appropriate setting for such works, given that it aims to enhance the audience experience through intimate performances in the grandeur of some of Malta’s finest venues.

Both works have strong patriotic overtones. ‘Rewwixta’, Opus 54 is an oratorio depicting the revolt by the Maltese against the French, during their two-year reign. This masterpiece was last performed 30 years ago in 1992, and will be revived again by Festivals Malta on the 4th November 2022, at the St Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Mdina. 

The oratorio ‘Il-Belt Rebbieħa’, Opus 50, is on the other hand dedicated to the city of Birgu (Vittoriosa), and praises the Maltese population that courageously fought in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565. It was premiered in 1990 and has not been performed since. ‘Il-Belt Rebbieha’ will be the Festival`s closing event, performed on the 12th November 2022 at St. Lawrence Parish Church, Birgu.

‘Il-Belt Rebbieha` and `Rewwixta’ are each circa one hour long and both are penned by another giant within the Maltese cultural field, Professor Oliver Friġġieri, and thereafter set to music by Maestro Vella.

Tickets for the events may be purchased via the Festivals web page.

The collaboration between the Vella Family and Festivals Malta will also include an emotional launching in 2024 of Mro. Vella`s unfinished opera ‘Valeriana’. This highly anticipated, premier performance will be a touching tribute to Maestro Vella, being a posthumous realisation of his desire to compose an extensive opera to complement his wide range of works. More details will be provided at a later stage.

Family Vella would like to thank Festivals Malta and all professionals involved for their constant support.