The Artists
Jacob Portelli
Musician: Harp, Baroque Cello, Violin, Organ & Psaltery
Jacob Portelli is the resident harpist of the Archdiocese of Malta and has occupied this position since 2020. He is a founding member and violist of the Cordia string quartet that regularly performs at private and state functions. In 2016, Cordia performed for H. M. Queen Elizabeth II during the 2016 Commonwealth Day celebration at Marlborough House, London. Jacob holds an LRSM in harp and violin, and a Diploma in viola. He plays the baroque violin, baroque cello, and is a member and leader of the continuo section of the Valletta International Baroque Ensemble. Jacob released four studio albums in 2020: ‘Kinnor’, ‘Nevel’, ‘The Christmas Song’ and ‘We Three Kings’. Jacob’s lifelong passion for music has led him to perform in various European cities including Athens, Caltagirone, London, and Torino.
Dorothy Baldacchino
Soprano
Maltese Soprano, Dorothy Baldacchino has a voice with a pure, crystal quality, making her instrument particularly suited for baroque, classical, neoclassical and contemporary classical music. An Associate of the Royal Schools of Music with Distinction in 2018 for her Singing Diploma, Dorothy is currently under the mentorship of Claire Debono, having commenced her studies with Miriam Cauchi and Joan Busby. Dorothy read a BA (Hons) in Theatre Studies at the University of Malta, with Distinction for her dissertation tracing the pedagogical approaches for the actor-singer-musician. She frequently appears in concerts and recitals, mostly specializing in baroque sacred music and in the French art song repertoire.
Dorothy Bezzina
Soprano
Dorothy Bezzina’s vocal flexibility allows her to sing across different genres. She is a regular performer in various annual and commemorative concerts, as well as in private and musico-literary events at some of Malta’s most prestigious venues. Dorothy has worked as artistic director for several locally produced events, with her recent production of The Band’s Visit earning her two nominations for Premju għall-Arti. Apart from her Trinity College Licentiate and Malta School of Music diplomas in Classical Performance, she holds a BA in Maltese and English, a PGDip in Interpreting, a PGCE, an MA in Maltese, an MA in English, and is currently reading for an MA in Marketing.
Hannah Tong
Soprano
Soprano Hannah Tong graduated from the Malta School of Music in 2016. She is the winner of The Gozo Classical Voice Festival and Competition 2023. She has given operatic performances in lead female roles at the Manoel Theatre and concerts both locally and overseas and has participated in masterclasses with internationally renowned operatic artists including Barbara Frittoli and Maija Kovalevska. Hannah is a hospital and clinical pharmacist and is furthering her music studies under the artistic guidance of sopranos Juliette Bisazza and Miriam Cauchi.
Jeremy Grech
Actor
Jeremy Grech is a local artist and tourist guide who has been passionately performing for almost a decade. His passion for storytelling and history has brought him closer to creating new concepts and is grateful to be doing what he loves. His most notable roles in theatre were in Sette (Teatru Malta), The Bards Farewell (ZiguZajg) and Ellie (Teatru Manoel). In the last couple of years, he created Theatourism which is the beautiful marriage of Theatre and Tourism. This venture has led him to create a memorable theatrical tour at Teatru Manoel, the Mosta Rotunda and other localities. Apart from being a theatre practitioner and guide, Jeremy is also a drama tutor with a passion for the italian form of art Commedia dell' Arte. Il-Pirata, as locally nicknamed, has trained professionally with Teatru Manoel under the tutorship of Denise Mulholland, the Drama Centre with several tutors and quite recently with theatre veteran Narcy Calamatta. His main aim as an artist is to make theatre and history more accessible to a wider audience and also pass on his enthusiasm to the audiences that come to his shows!