Maestro Aurelio Belli dies at 49

The death of Maestro Aurelio Belli, a conductor and music educator who spent decades at the centre of Malta’s band scene, has been announced.

Belli was born in Ħamrun on 25 October 1976 and began learning the euphonium as a child under his grandfather, Louis Olivari. 

Over the years he studied several instruments and music theory under various teachers and conductors, and later took part in international masterclasses in the United Kingdom.

He played in Versatile Brass and Fusion Brass Sextet, taught brass instruments, and served as conductor and musical director of the Duke of Connaught’s Own Band Club. He also held a management role at the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and was involved in productions including the International Song Contest Malta, Rockestra and Mużika Mużika.

Prime Minister Roberta Abela paid tribute on Facebook, describing Belli as “a definition of courage and resilience” who remained positive throughout his illness. “He fought with all his strength against the challenges that came with his sickness,” he wrote, adding that he had been working on the next edition of A Night at the Palace at Girgenti when he died.

In 2020, Belli was diagnosed with cancer. He spoke about his treatment publicly in the years that followed, saying he wanted to raise awareness and offer some comfort to others in the same position.

He conducted at Mużika Mużika as recently as last month, leading the orchestra during Imħabba, sung by his wife Gloriana in memory of her mother Helen Micallef, who died on 5 February, and during Marija l-Maltija, performed by The Travellers and Sarah Bonnici at the classics evening.

Abela extended his condolences to Belli’s family and to the artistic community. “His memory will remain in our hearts,” she said.

Belli is survived by his wife Gloriana and their daughter Alexandra.