Mezzo Soprano with the Basel Chamber Orchestra
Wales Premiere
200th Birthday of an Italian Diva- “Genius, Scandal & Death”

For more than two decades, Cecilia Bartoli has undeniably been one of the top-stars in the field of classical music, her beauty of voice and depth of artistry remain unique among mezzos.

In this gala concert &, Wales Premier Cecilia Bartoli leads a tribute to the extraordinary life of Maria Malibran (1808-1836) the 19th century diva and first female superstar in music history whose meteoric career ended abruptly with her untimely death at the age of 28.

There are a number of similarities between Cecilia & Maria which only furthers Cecilia’s fascination with this remarkable woman. Both were taught by their opera-singer parents, both made their debuts in Il barbiere di Siviglia, and both valued risk, excess, spontaneity, charm and imagination over caution, rigour and convention.

Cecilia believes that her "vocality" is similar to Malibran’s - more mezzo-soprano than soprano in colour - and that her style is informed by the same "late classical" performance practices.

Cecilia Bartoli’s album and St David’s Hall Gala Concert follows La Malibran’s unique journey through the musical capitals of the world from London to Milan


In 2007 the Cecilia Bartoli- Music Foundation was formed, a foundation dedicated to
the advancement of music, which includes research, performance, the collection of music, exhibitions and various music projects

One of the projects led by Cecilia & the Music Foundation is the exhibition on wheels “Maria Malibran” , featuring original object, letters, manuscripts, playbills which document the legendary personality, her life, her family, her musical environment and the operatic world of the 19 century. All objects stem from Cecilia Bartoli’s private collection which she has collected over the last 20 years.

This travelling exhibition will run in all cities/venues where Cecilia is performing, it’ll be open to the public & free and placed either outside or near each venue.