These concerts are organised by the Research Trust of the University of Malta (RIDT), The trust was established by the Government of Malta in 2011 as an integral component of Malta’s established policy to bolster investment in research and development on a national level. It is intended to attract funds from private and
corporate bodies to be used to maximise and exploit the research milieu at th
e University of Malta, and to foster the commercial exploitation of research. The RIDT would like to thank you for your donation and wishes you an enjoyable concert. THE VENUE
The Madonna tal-Pilar Church was built in the 1670s as the church of the Aragonese knights and is in fact adjacent to the Auberge d'Aragon. The cornerstone was laid by Grandmaster Nicolas Cotoner and its construction was financed mainly by the Balì of Majorca Raimondo de Soler and Felice Inniges de
Ayerba, the Bali of Caspe'. The latter was buried in the same church in front of the high altar. The church was extensively damaged by the earthquake of 1693. It was thus remodelled on the plans of Romano Carapecchia and completed in 1718, funded by Grandmaster Ramon Perellos y Roccaful. The titular painting, depicting Our Lady appearing to St James, is by Stefano Erardi.
