Revival of music by Zerafa and Azopardi
Event: Revival of music by Zerafa and Azopardi
Date: Friday 23 October 2026
Time: 19:30 - 20:45
Venue: St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta
Caption: An excerpt from Zerafa's Magnificat (ACM Mus Ms 308), reproduced by kind permission of the Metropolitan Cathedral Archives. Photo: H. Agius Muscat.
Do you enjoy music by Mozart and Haydn? These two great classical composers weren’t the only ones heavily influenced by Italian music of the 18th century. So were Benigno Zerafa and Francesco Azopardi, two Maltese maestri di cappella who studied at conservatories in Naples. Dr Hugo Agius Muscat, until recently a visiting senior lecturer at our University, has transcribed and edited manuscript music by Zerafa and Azopardi found in the Archives of the Metropolitan Cathedral (Mdina).
The music will be performed in a concert titled “Magnificat” at St John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta on 23 October 2026, featuring four vocal soloists, orchestra, organ (played by Prof. E. Conrad) and the sixty-strong St Paul Choral Society. This is a rare opportunity to hear 18th century Maltese music revived and performed, and to gain an insight on the calibre of music that Malta enjoyed more than two centuries ago. What’s more, the concert is being held in aid of a good cause: all ticket revenue will go to Hospice Malta. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear fine Maltese music and support a deserving cause!
Tickets are available online.
