Valletta Resounds: The Caravaggio Experience marks 100th performance at St John’s Co-Cathedral

Valletta Resounds: The Caravaggio Experience celebrated its 100th performance on Friday, 3 October 2025, at the Oratory of St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta.

Produced by Udjenza under the artistic direction of Toni Attard, the production first premiered in 2023 and has since welcomed over 9,000 audience members, most of them international visitors.

This unique cultural event brings together music, theatre, and art, set against the dramatic backdrop of Caravaggio’s masterpiece, The Beheading of St John the Baptist. The 5-star visitor experience has been hailed by audiences as “very moving,” “beautiful and captivating,” and “a gem of a performance.”

The story is narrated by the character of Fra Bartolomeo, performed by Jeremy Grech and understudied by Myron Ellul, who guides audiences through the turbulent life of Caravaggio and the history of the Knights of Malta.

Under the musical direction of Jacob Portelli, the performance weaves classical repertoire performed on Baroque harp, cello, psaltery, and the original Co-Cathedral organ which was recently restored. Throughout its run, the production has presented some of Malta’s leading sopranos, including Dorothy Bezzina, Dorothy Baldacchino, Hannah Tong, and Gabrielle Portelli.

For those seeking an enhanced experience, the production also offers a VIP pre-performance tour in collaboration with VIP Tours Malta, granting visitors rare, crowd-free access to the main nave of the Co-Cathedral before the show.

Chief Executive Officer of St John’s Co-Cathedral, Tonio Mallia stated that viewing the Co-Cathedral not only as a cathedral and museum, but also as an alternative cultural experience for visitors, marks the next phase in the landmark’s development. “It is particularly fascinating,” he noted, “because these performances are not simply stories retold, but immersive experiences that incorporate the distinctive features of the Oratory, including its restored organ, transporting audiences back to the time of the Knights of the Order.”

Opening the Co-Cathedral’s doors for such performances after visiting hours represents a remarkable collaboration that bridges heritage and contemporary culture. Beyond its daytime role as a sacred and historical site, St John’s transforms at night into a living stage that amplifies Malta’s artistic identity to local and international audiences. Hosting a performance within the Oratory, offers audiences a rare opportunity to engage with history through sound, light, and storytelling in the very space that inspired it.

Toni Attard, Artistic Director of Udjenza, said: “Thanks to our collaboration with St John’s Co-Cathedral and the support of Visit Malta, we have created an unforgettable, high-quality cultural experience that builds on Malta’s unique and rich heritage, in one of Valletta’s most beautiful and intimate settings, for both local and international audiences.”

What makes this milestone even more significant is that a regular long run of 100 performances is rare in Malta, marking a breakthrough model that strengthens the sustainability of the performing arts sector while setting a new benchmark for cultural productions on the island.

To meet growing demand, additional performance dates have been released until December 2025 and further dates for 2026 are expected to be announced soon.

For further information and tickets visit www.vallettaresounds.com