About

Harpist · Violinist · Violist · Cellist · Lirone Player · Musical Director

 

Jacob Portelli is a Maltese multi-instrumentalist whose musical career encompasses solo performance, chamber music, orchestral work, musical direction and historically informed performance practice. He holds an LRSM in Harp and Violin, as well as a Diploma in Viola, and performs an extensive repertoire spanning early music and the Baroque period through to Romantic and contemporary works.

Since 2020, Jacob has served as Resident Harpist of the Archdiocese of Malta, performing regularly at major liturgical celebrations, national occasions and significant ecclesiastical events. His engagements include prestigious State Dinners, national gala events and official functions presided over by the President of Malta and the Prime Minister, at venues including Verdala Palace, San Anton Palace and the Grand Master's Palace. He has also performed for several Presidents of the Republic of Malta.

Jacob is a founding member and violist of the Cordia String Quartet, an ensemble regularly engaged for concerts, private functions and official occasions. The quartet has performed internationally in Athens, Caltagirone, London and Torino. In 2016, the ensemble was invited to perform for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during the Commonwealth Day celebrations at Marlborough House, London.

His international engagements have also included participation in a special Commonwealth event at Westminster Abbey, featuring British singer-songwriter Calum Scott, performing in one of the United Kingdom's most iconic historic venues.

 

 

Jacob is the Musical Director of Valletta Resounds and Mdina Resounds: Echoes of the Silent City, immersive music-and-theatre productions by Udjenza which bring Malta's history to life through live music, theatrical storytelling and historically significant settings. Through these productions, he leads the musical interpretation of repertoire ranging from Gregorian chant and sacred music to Baroque and Classical compositions, integrating period instruments, vocal music and historical narrative. His work combines historically informed musical interpretation with the distinctive architectural and ecclesiastical heritage of Valletta and Mdina.

A passionate advocate of early music, Jacob is an active performer on historical instruments. He performs on Baroque violin and Baroque cello, specialising in historically informed interpretations of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century repertoire. His instrumental practice also encompasses the lirone, alongside the harp, violin, viola and cello.

In 2020, Jacob released four studio albums: Kinnor, Nevel, The Christmas Song and We Three Kings, showcasing his versatility across sacred music, seasonal repertoire and concert performance.

Alongside his work as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral player and musical director, Jacob continues to pursue an active performing career, combining expertise across multiple instruments with a commitment to musical excellence, historically informed interpretation and the presentation of music in both traditional concert venues and historically significant spaces.