Manoel Theatre
Following centuries of unrest and a myriad of conquerors, the rule of the Military Order of St. John brought about a period of unprecedented stability and development to the Maltese Islands. The newly constructed fortified capital, Valletta, administrative centre and home to the variety of nationalities forming the Order, witnessed a further development as the islands’ cultural and entertainment hub.
Throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries, the demand for operas, pageants, theatrical and dramatic productions boomed as the Maltese embraced what had previously been entertainment reserved solely for the Nobility. Shows put on by amateurs and theatre professionals were then housed at the Knight’s Auberges around the city or in the open.
In 1731, Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena, identifying the need for a central building serving, in his own words, “for the honest recreation of the people” commissioned and funded the construction of the “Public Theatre”.
Completed in 10 months, the original interior of the theatre, constructed entirely out of wood, was modeled around the palermo theatre, being semi-circular with straight sides projecting to the stage. The night of january 9, 1732 witnessed the first curtain call to a presentation of scipione maffei’s classic tragedy, merope. For the next 60 years the theatre specialized almost exclusively in lyric operas and french tragedies, and was run by a senior knight, known as the protettore, having the dual function of both theatre manager and censor.
The passage of the islands into french hands in 1798 meant the appointment of the first maltese commissioner, then acclaimed international composer, nicolo isouard. This proved to be, however, a highly uneventful tenure, as the islands once again faced two years of civil strife, with the population’s sole cause being the liberation from napoleonic rule, culminating with the siege of valletta and the eventual “liberation” by the british in the first days of the 19th century.
Now known as the royal theatre, the building underwent a series of alterations and enlargements, establishing its role as the nation’s entertainment centre; and, over the next 60 years played host to year-round theatrical productions to an ever-increasing audience of locals, tourists and foreign dignitaries.this same prosperity however rendered the theatre’s size inadequate, and following the sale of the building in 1861, crowds were drawn to the newly-finished, much larger opera house. The theatre rapidly fell into total disuse, becoming a doss house for beggars.
However, an 1873 fire that destroyed the opera house brought a new lease of life to the now renamed manoel theatre, in tribute to its founder. Once again however, the reconstruction of the opera house signified the end of the road for the manoel, converted first into a dance hall and eventually a cinema.
During the second world war the building served as a shelter for the homeless, victims of the same carpet bombings that sealed the fate of the opera house, totally destroyed in 1944. Once again, the country’s rebirth following the ravages of war meant the rebirth of the manoel, now acquired by the maltese government.
A decade-long restoration process by local traditional artisans and international experts saw the transformation of the building into a multi-functional theatre. The once lovely decoration of the atrium was restored from behind the grime and paint which had for so long hidden the theatre’s beauty. Inch by inch, the great ceiling with its 22 carat gilding was restored; the dozens of tiny panels and paintings which decorated the tiers of boxes were brought to life again. The grand re-opening ceremony in december 1960, left the audience gasping with delight at this newly rediscovered jewel in malta’s national heritage, and heralded the new beginning of the manoel. Now officially the country’s national theatre, it has, over the years, hosted countless productions by both local talent and international stars, and has been the catalyst for the growth and appreciation of dramatic art in Malta.
St. James Cavalier
Knights Period
After the knight’s victory of the Great Siege of 1565 Grand Master La Vallette decided to stay on the Island and build a new city which was to be called Valletta.
He asked all the European rulers for help, amongst them Pope Pius V who besides financial assistance also sent over Francesco Laparelli, a military engineer of considerable fame. Laparelli was the one responsible for the layout of Valletta as we know it today. St. James is one of two cavaliers designed by Laparelli and built by the Malltese architect Girolamo Cassar.
The original use of St. James was that of a raised platform in order to defend the City and it’s bastions.
British Period
During this Period St. James was converted into an officers’ mess. They later realized they could exploit its position and height to solve one of the major problems around the Maltese Islands, that is, the lack of water. The British dug two wells in the top part of St. James in order to store the water pumped via the Wignacourt Aqueducts.
St. James Today
In the year 2000 St. James Cavalier reopened its doors, this time transformed into a centre for creativity by Maltese architect Prof. Richard England.
One of the cisterns has been changed into a theatre in the round were a number of local and foreign artist perform each week. St. James also hosts a music room as well as a cinema which projects two films a day, including European films. A good number of art exhibitions, by both local and foreign artist, are also held every month. These include painting, sculpture, installations and photographic exhibitions. St. James is also very popular with schools since a variety of programs are being offered to children of all ages, including the very popular Saturday Children’s Club.
St. James Cavalier has finally been given back its dignity after years of neglect and misuse.
Teatru ta' l-Opra Aurora - Gozo
Full-scale opera in Gozo knows its origin to the zealous committee of the Socjetà Filarmonika Leone AD 1863 who together with many volunteers in 1971 undertook the heavy task of building the Teatru ta' l-Opra Aurora. Notwithstanding the various problems and difficulties during the five years of its construction, it was officially inuagurated on the 9th October 1976. This opera house took its name after the Aurora Theatre in Archpriest Cassar Street, Victoria that was also a property of the Socjetà Filarmonika Leone. This theatre, having been inaugurated on the 28th April 1963, was the only theatre owned by a philharmonic society at the time. It showed films on a regular basis and provided Gozitans with theatrical, variety shows and other forms of entertainment.
The Leone Committee's aim culminated in January 1977, just three months after the official inauguration of the Teatru ta' l-Opra Aurora when Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly was staged. It was the best opera ever to be performed in Gozo and it was also to transform culture-oriented activities in the Maltese Islands. In particular it revived opera in Malta, till then lying dormant for a rather long time. This was followed by a string of other highly successful opera productions, under the baton of various renowned conductors such as the Italians Alberto Leone and Giovanni Veneri, the Maltese Joseph Sammut and the Gozitans Joseph Vella and Colin Attard, the current resident conductor of the theatre.
Well known singers featured at the Teatru ta' l-Opra Aurora, among them: Eva Marton, Raina Kabaivanska, Milena dal Piva, Rita Lantieri, Maria Pia Jonata and Paola Romanò (sopranos), Gloria Scalchi, Sylvie Brunet and Katia Angeloni (mezzo-soprano), Nicola Martinucci, Salvatora Fisichella, Gianfranco Cecchele, Benito Maresca, Luciano Saldari, Vincenzo Bello and (tenors), Giuseppe Scandola, Franco Giovane, Marzio Giossi and Luigi de Corato (baritones) and Mario Luperi and Ivan Tomasev (basses).
The Teatru ta' l-Opra Aurora has not only hosted operas but also a variety of other productions. Worth a mention are the Ballet de Paris which was the first ever ballet group of its kind to perform in Gozo, the international Carousel and numerous Russian and Chinese acrobatic groups, besides a series of light entertainment shows. The latter have witnessed the participation of a number of international personalities, such as Stefania Rotolo, Pupo, Bary Mason and Katrina, Paolo Vallesi and Marco Masini.
With the larges indoor seating capacity of 1,400, a spacious orchestra pit, an envied stage, perfect acoustics and the beautiful and original decoration designed by the late well-known Maltese artistic Prof. Chev. Envin Cremona, this is by far the most attractive opera house in the Maltese Islands as well as the only theatre with specific architectural requirements to host lyric operas. The Teatru ta' l-Opra Aurora is ran by volunteers against personal sacrifices yet with professional results.
Regular news and updates about the theatre's events appear on www.leone.org.mt
Astra Theatre - Gozo
The Astra Theatre has for the past thirty-two years presented to all local theatre lovers with a wide vista of culturally oriented activities never dreamt of on the Island of Gozo.
Just six months after its official inauguration, on the 20 January 1968, the international Carousel was held. This was to be the first of in a series of light entertainment by foreign personalities which culminated with Raffaella Carra, the Goggi Sisters, Al Bano and Romina Power, The Platters, Bobby Solo, Osibisa and the Montparnasse Ballet Troupe.
Local talent was extensively used and encouraged during all these years. The Astra Dramatic Company managed to revive the best loved form of theatre entertainement in Gozo: the Operetta. Thanks to it, the Gozitan Public enjoyed the Merry Widow, Principessa della Czardas, The Gondoliers, the Great Waltz, Geisha and many others. After a break of over two decades, another operetta; Geisha was performed again at the theatre in January 2000.
Astra Theatre patrons were also introduced to such literary giants such as Henrik Ibsen, Goldoni, Feydeau, Moliere and Brandon Thomas. Visiting companies also featured prominently on the Astra stage and practically all major theatrical companies in Malta were billed there some time or other.
In 1978, the Astra Theatre ventured in the greatest form of stage production; the opera. Rigoletto was first on the list. This was successfully followed by Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Aida, Lucia di Lammermoor, L’Elisir D’Amore, Norma, La Traviata, La Forza Del Destino, Nabucco, Turandot, Il Trovatore, Macbeth, and finally Rigoletto and Aida again in 1998 and 1999.
A host of other stage productions dot the Astra theatre’s calendar of events, but what has been mentioned amply reflects the enormous cultural contribution the Astra Theatre has given to the Gozitan and Maltese society.
