Josep Solé Coll in Concert and the Unveiling of Francesco Laparelli’s Drawings of Valletta titled Grand Ambitions.
On Wednesday, 18th June 2025 at 19:30, St John’s Co-Cathedral will open its doors for an extraordinary evening that intertwines the majesty of sacred music with the brilliance of architectural vision. The event features a distinguished organ concert by Josep Solé Coll, the internationally renowned Spanish organist of the Papal Basilica of St Peter’s at the Vatican. This special performance will mark the official inauguration of the exhibition Grand Ambitions: Francesco Laparelli’s Drawings of Valletta which will remain open for the public until Friday 18th July 2025.
Josep 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.
The evening also commemorates the opening of an exhibition that allows locals to have a closer look at Francesco Laparelli’s Drawings of Valletta, the 16th-century Italian military architect entrusted by Pope Pius V to design the fortified city of Valletta. Grand Ambitions will unveil a curated selection of Laparelli’s original drawings, offering rare insight into the strategic vision and creative genius behind Valletta’s unique urban plan. This exhibition, housed within the Oratory of the Co-Cathedral, invites the public to reflect on Valletta’s rich heritage through the eyes of one of its earliest planners.
St John’s Co-Cathedral has long stood as a beacon of artistic excellence, and this event reaffirms its role as a living monument where history is not only preserved but continually reinterpreted and celebrated. Whether you are a lover of sacred music, a connoisseur of history, or simply looking for a meaningful evening in the heart of Valletta, this is an event not to be missed.
Admission is free, but seating is limited. Kindly RSVP by 16th June to secure your place at this prestigious event by contacting events@stjohnscocathedral.com.
