British Malta in the 19th century was most vibrant with social evenings, theatre, balls, parties and dinners. As salon music gained popularity, there was an increase in music outlets selling sheet music, pianofortes as well as instruments. In this milieu, Maltese composers wrote popular dance music such as waltzes, mazurkas, polkas and galops, and arrangements of operatic arias. They opted to publish their music in Malta at the Brocktorff press by the new method of ‘lithography’ which allowed the printers to decorate their front covers.

The exhibition at Gaulitana 2025 showcases a number of these rare examples of music covers printed locally by the Brocktorff family of artists. Tapping the multi-dimensionality of Gaulitana, this offers a unique opportunity to view these artefacts curated together in one location, hence appreciating further their social context.

Curated by Anna Borg Cardona and Joseph Calleja, the event follows on the exhibition Folk Music in Gozo presented in 2023, as the festival seeks to kindle a deeper understanding of cultural heritage and traditions.

Open for the duration of the month-long cultural bonanza, the launch night is complemented by the performance of solo Maltese works interpreted by local musicians.