From Malta to Boston, Leipzig to Seville, baroque and early music kicks off 2026 in many different forms: liturgy, concerts, recitals, heritage and surprises. A look back in pictures at a week rich in events, performers and iconic venues. 
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Valletta Baroque at St John’s Co-Cathedral
In Malta, the Valletta Baroque festival opened its 14th edition in the impressive setting of St John’s Co-Cathedral, with Bonaventura Rubino’s (1600–1668) Messa de Morti a 5 concertata. The work was performed by the Capella Musicale della Chiesa di Santa Maria di Campitella in Rome, with the Cantoria ensemble, conducted by Vincenzo Di Betta. This mass is of particular importance to Malta: composed around 1653, the only known printed copy of the now lost manuscript score is kept in the musical archives of Mdina Cathedral.
With the Capella Musicale della Chiesa di Santa Maria di Campitella, the ensemble Cantoria and Vincenzo Di Betta.
Accademia del Piacere in Seville
In Seville, Fahmi Alqhai and the Accademia del Piacere played to a full house at the Espacio Turina with a programme devoted to the Cancionero de la Sablonara. This compilation brings together secular polyphonic songs from Spain and Portugal from the first half of the 17th century.
With Fahmi Alqhai and the Accademia del Piacere.
The Sixteen at St Albans Cathedral (United Kingdom)
At St Albans Cathedral, The Sixteen choir brought together eight singers under the direction of Eamonn Dougan for a programme of choral music dedicated to Palestrina, Josquin, Carissimi and Victoria, among others. The concert took place in a striking setting: three monumental sculptures of whales were suspended in the nave and illuminated during the evening. This installation by artist Tessa Campbell Fraser remains on display during the cathedral’s regular opening hours.
With the choir The Sixteen and Eamonn Dougan.
Jakub Józef Orliński in Gstaad (Switzerland)
Countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński and pianist Michał Biel kicked off 2026 at the New Year Music Festival in Gstaad, at the church in Rougemont. Their programme, Love and Fairies, featured works by Bach, Handel, Purcell and Karłowicz.
With Jakub Józef Orliński and Michał Biel.
Bach at Leipzig’s Thomaskirche
In a snowy landscape, Leipzig’s Thomanerchor choir performed Johann Sebastian Bach’s cantata Liebster Jesu, mein Verlangen BWV 32 with the Gewandhaus Orchestra, featuring Gerlinde Sämann (soprano) and Daniel Ochoa (bass) as soloists. This concert marked the first motet of the new year. Under the direction of cantor Andreas Reize, works by Heinrich Schütz, Erhard Mauersberger, Johann Sebastian Bach and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy were also on the programme, with the participation of St. Thomas organist Johannes Lang.
With Gerlinde Sämann, Daniel Ochoa, Johannes Lang, the Thomanerchor, the Orchestre du Gewandhaus and Andreas Reize.
Handel… and ABBA with Boston Baroque
At Harvard’s Sanders Theatre in Boston, Marc Minkowski made his debut with Boston Baroque, offering a sparkling New Year’s programme combining Mozart’s Symphony No. 1, Handel’s complete Water Music and, to conclude, a classical arrangement of ABBA’s Gimme Gimme Gimme.
With Boston Baroque and Marc Minkowski.
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