An evening of art and beauty at the grandmaster’s palace, Valletta
Maltese composer and pianist Karl Fiorini played his piano sonata in the
Tapestry Hall, while Clare Ghigo sang arias by Frescobaldi, Caccini and Purcell, accompanied on the harp by Anne Marie Camilleri Podesta in the Throne Room.
This was the setting for the RIDT’s Gala Fundraising event in aid of the
conservation of the Great Siege mural by Matteo Perez D’Aleccio. Guests were treated to an evening of art and beauty, during which they had the opportunity to see the progress of this conservation project, and also to meet the conservation team in person. The project is being undertaken by the Department of Conservation and Built Heritage of the University of Malta, headed by Prof. Joann Cassar.
Lead conservator Jennifer Porter gave a detailed presentation about the
methodology being used in the project and about the history of the mural, with particular reference to its previous conservation attempts.
The conservation project has already received generous donations from the Gasan Foundation, the Planning Authority and the Melita Foundations. The RIDT has been tasked to raised the necessary funds to cover the work, to the tune of €300,000, and is appealing for more donations to be able to finalise the project.
Other speakers during the evening included Mr Robert Cassar, curator of the Palace Armoury who spoke about the history of the Grandmaster’s Palace and about the commissioning of the mural. Mr Wilfred Kenely, CEO of the RIDT who thanked the sponsors and the guests for their support, and appealed to the business community to continue supporting research projects in all areas of study at the University of Malta.
Prof. Alfred J. Vella, Rector of the University, also thanked the sponsors and spoke about the need to have a properly funded university that could engage more in research activity
The evening came to an end with a unique reception in the Palace Courtyard, catered for by ‘Taste History’, a Heritage Malta concept, which brings to life centuries old recipes found in the archives of Heritage Malta.
The fundraising event was made possible thanks to the inestimable work of the organizing team, particularly to Dr. Joanna Delia, who together with Sarah-Lee Zammit and Michelle Degiorgio, coordinated all the details of the evening’s programme.
