St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta is this week opening its doors for an extraordinary evening intertwining the majesty of sacred music with the brilliance of architectural vision.
Josep Solé Coll, the internationally renowned Spanish organist of the papal basilica of St Peter’s at the Vatican, will present an organ concert at the cathedral on Wednesday, June 18, at 7.30pm. The special performance will mark the official inauguration of the exhibition Grand Ambitions: Francesco Laparelli’s Drawings of Valletta.
Solé Coll is celebrated across Europe and beyond for his expressive command of the organ and his deep musicality. As the chief organist at one of the most revered religious sites in the world, his artistry brings with it the solemnity and grandeur of the Vatican. His performance at St John’s Co-Cathedral promises to be a rare and spiritually resonant experience, made even more powerful by the setting, one of Malta’s most iconic and historic landmarks.
Meanwhile, the exhibition, being held within the Oratory of the Co-Cathedral, will allow locals to have a closer look at Laparelli’s drawings of Valletta.
Laparelli is the 16th-century Italian military architect entrusted by Pope Pius V to design the fortified city. Grand Ambitions will unveil a curated selection of his original drawings, offering rare insight into the strategic vision and creative genius behind Valletta’s unique urban plan. It runs until July 18.
Admission is free, but seating is limited. Kindly RSVP by June 16 by e-mailing events@stjohnscocathedral.com.
