Valletta’s La Valette Band is crossing over to Gozo for a very special event – this time not a traditional band march but a concert of sacred works and funerary music.

Although civic bands are primarily secular, sacred works and music with religious significance have always formed the backbone of their repertoire. It is often in these sacred compositions that composers and conductors have demonstrated their true artistry and secured lasting recognition. In this respect, La Valette Band of Valletta has long been a forerunner.

The evening will be led by principal conductor Dominic Darmanin with special guest participation from critically acclaimed Italian conductor and composer Antonino Oddo and the Aurora-and-Leone’s own Colin Attard, both of whom will be conducting La Valette band in compositions of their own.

Band afficionados will be treated to some memorable repertoire including Darmanin’s Bidora, Crepuscolo, Tifkira lil Ġużi Vella and Ecce Mater Tua and the coveted Alla Memoria di Giorgio Borg Olivier by Emanuel Bugeja. Other works include Stradella’s Pietá Signore, sung by soprano Rosabelle Bianchi, Albinoni’s famous Adagio, Handel’s Sarabande and excerpts from Bernstein’s Ten Commandments, amongst others.