MAVC produced the Aria “Non e ver chi sia contento” from Opera Artasersere by Maltese composer Girolamo Abos (1715-1760)

On the 27th May 2023, Mikiel Anton Vassalli College presented the project Ġawhar Misjub, literally meaning Discovered Gems, which focuses on the operatic music of late Maltese composers.

This live performance shows the Aria “Non e ver che sia contento” from the opera Artaserse by late Maltese Composer Girolamo Abos (1715-1760).

Girolamo Abos was born in Valletta in 1715 to French parents who set up permanent residence in Malta. Due to Malta’s political connection with Italy, Girolamo went to Naples to further his studies. He went to The Conservatorio di Sant Onofrio and in 1742 he premiered his first opera Le due Zingarelle. Apart from numerous comic operas such as La Moglie Gelosa, Il Geloso and La Serva Padrona, Abos was also interested in opera seria. Artaserse (1746) is Girolamo Abos’s first opera seria and he used Metastasio’s libretti for most of his opere serie. Abos became a popular composer; his most celebrated work was Tito Manilo which ran not only in Italy but even in other European Theatres. Apart from operas, Abos also wrote liturgical works, such as Dixit Dominus, Magnificat and Stabat Matèr and instrumental works.

The main objectives of such multi-disciplinary arts performance produced by Mikiel Anton Vassalli College, is to serve as an artistic educational environment where students of the visual and performing arts can take part in the actual live productions alongside professionals in the sector – thus bridging the studies/education with the performing arts industry.