https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39798 2026-04-09T05:54:48Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/40000 Title: Matteo Perez d'Aleccio : pittore ufficiale del grande assedio di Malta [Book Review] Abstract: An interesting publication about the 16th-century artist Matteo Perez d'Aleccio focusing on his life history and on his superb frescoes at the Palace in Valletta, has just been published by the commune of Alezio in Italy with the co-operation of the International Institute for Baroque Studies at the University of Malta. Authored by Lucio Maiorano, the book contains valuable information about the artist's birth in Alezio in 1547, about his activity in Rome (1566-76) and Malta (1576-81) and, finally, about his demise in far-off Lima in Peru. Description: Includes academic information regarding the postgraduate course leading to the award of an M.A. in Baroque Studies at the University of Malta, outlining the list of study units. In addition, a description of a one-year part-time Pre-Tertiary Certificate Course in Baroque Architecture is provided, highlighting the various themes and objectives. 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39995 Title: Giovanni Battista Vertova : diplomacy, warfare and military engineering practice in early seventeenth-century Malta [Book Review] Abstract: Authored by Denis De Lucca, head of Architecture and Director of the International Institute for Baroque Studies at the University of Malta, this excellently researched and beautifully illustrated book, published by Midsea Books Ltd, covers three main themes, all related to the defence of Malta in the early seventeenth century. As implied in the title, the main thrust of this new book concerns the life history of a forgotten brillian military engineer-Count Giovanni Battista Vertova of Bergamo (1592-1647)- who became a Knight of Malta in 1617 and who, through his excellent connexions with other members of his profession in neighbouring Italy, served well the interests of the Order of St John at a crucial point in its history when the Knights were determined to strengthen the fortifications of Valletta and build the outworks of Floriana and Cospicua. 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39994 Title: The theatre-city of the Baroque age Abstract: People living in Baroque times had a great love of dramatic representations in all their forms. This love of theatre extended into all areas, including those that are not usually viewed as theatrical. Theatre permeated every aspect of life. During the period religion was dramatised, Mass was elevated to the form of ritual and processions became elaborate, spectacular events. Theatre became so pervasive that even daily living became an act costume, gesture, etiquette were all ritualised. 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/39992 Title: A plea for the restoration of Baroque and theatrical elements in the liturgy Abstract: Let me begin by making it absolutely clear that I think that the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council was overdue and, on the whole, was an excellent achievement. I am in no way in favour of a return to the liturgy of Pope Pius V, although (as a person born, resident, and intending to die in Valletta, the city which is very indebted to him for its coming into existence) I have reason to be grateful to that Pope. There are, however, some aspects of the liturgy which have been greatly impoverished by Vatican reforms, in consequence, I suspect, of the desire to eliminate from it anything that smacked of the theatrical and the baroque. The positive motivation of this antibaroque and anti-theatrical purge was the greater involvement and participation of the people. Today, thirty years afterwards, it is clear that the opposite result has come about the certain crucially important instances. Description: This paper was delivered at the symposium on Baroque Theatre during the Manoel Baroque Festival in May 2001 (vide pp8-9) 2001-01-01T00:00:00Z