Manoel Theatre Artistic Director elected to European Early Music Network

Kenneth Zammit Tabona was recently elected to the Board of Directors of REMA Reseau Europeen de Musique Ancienne or the European Early Music Network. REMA is an EU sponsored entity which was founded in Ambronay in 2000. It celebrated its 15th year in Ambronay on 18 April, and Zammit Tabona was elected on its Board by virtue of his being Artistic Director of the Valletta International Baroque Festival; now approaching its fourth edition.  

REMA now has over 20 member countries and is very active in promoting early music in Europe which is why it is linked up with famous festivals like Ambronay and Chaise Dieu plus many prestigious festivals throughout Europe including Sans Soucis in Potsdam and the Monteverdi Festival in Cremona not to mention the constant promotion of emerging ensembles like the Ghislieri Choir and Consort based in Pavia.

“As a general rule it takes at least five years to establish a festival on an international level,” said Zammit Tabona who added that the success of the Valletta International Baroque Festival astounded him by its instantaneous hit. 

“The festival goes from strength to strength presenting an ever growing international audience with top flight artists like Sigiswald Kjukjen, Leonardo Garcia Alarcon and Herve Niquet not to mention great ensembles like the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, the European Union Baroque Orchestra and the King’s Consort to mention just a very few that have delighted us with their artistry each January since 2013.”

“Involvement with a dynamic organisation like REMA further underlines the international flavour of our festival, which takes place within the ramparts of our capital city and makes use of its top architectural and artistic sites as venues for a splendid serious of baroque concerts, Zammit Tabona said, adding that “this success would not be possible without the experienced and efficient backing and organisation of the Manoel Theatre and its staff both administrative and hands on.

This is why the queen of Mediterranean baroque theatres, the Manoel Theatre, is ideally placed to organise a festival of this magnitude and calibre; a 1731 theatre being the perfect setting for baroque music. It is without a doubt Valletta and our rich heritage that makes this festival a unique experience.”

Zammit Tabona is also Artistic Director of the Manoel Theatre, a board member of PERSPECTIV; the Association of Historic Theatres of Europe and the founder president of the Friends of the National Museum of Fine Arts, now MUZA.