Isabella Barbaro-Sant dei Marchesi di San Giorgio

Isabella started learning the pianoforte at the age of four with Sr. Emma Caruana, and continued her advanced studies with Sr. Beniamina Portelli LRSM.  She passed all the Associated Board grade examinations with Distinction, and won Board Prizes (awarded for highest marks) on several occasions.  In 1985 she was awarded the diploma of Associate of the Trinity College of London (ATCL) in piano performing, and a year later she went on to obtain the diploma of Licentiate (LTCL).  In 1988, she was awarded the diploma of Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music (LRSM) in piano performing.  During this time, Isabella also furthered her studies in theory of music to an advanced level with Ms Anna Scicluna Bisazza. 

Isabella had her concert debut in 1988 at the President’s debutantes’ concert, playing works by Chopin and Beethoven.  Following this, she went to Germany, where she furthered her piano studies at the Hochschule in Hannover and in Regensburg.  In 1989, she gave her first solo concert abroad, in Regensburg, as part of Malta Week activities.

In 1984, Isabella took up pipe organ as a second instrument, studying with Mro. Rev. Albert Borg, passing the Associated Board exams in organ up to Grade 6.  She also attended the Institute for Patristic Studies, studying sacred music and Gregorian chant.  She is presently furthering her pipe organ studies with Dr Hugo Agius Muscat LRSM.

Isabella’s musical interests have been very diverse, and have included playing in the St Monica Piano Accordion Band under the direction of Mro. Victor Zammit, studying the guitar, and also singing in choirs.  She has also been a teacher of students with special needs and was a pioneer in the use of music therapy techniques.

In 2001, she participated actively in the preparation of the children’s choir that sang on the occasion of the Beatification Ceremony held in May.  Following this, she took up Mro. Lino Attard’s invitation to support the musical activities of the Cantores Sancti Juliani.

[26 May 2002]