“As part of our strategy to further promote culture and arts, Teatru Manoel has put a lot of effort into putting baroque at the foreground of the island’s cultural activity with the Valletta International Baroque Festival and performances throughout the year, not only in Valletta but also around the island,” said Owen Bonnici,  Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government.

These instruments include an 1888 Broadwood piano, which has undergone restoration funded by the Friends of the Manoel. The straight strung piano showcases the different registers of the instrument with clarity. The Friends of the Manoel were represented by Carmen Gatt Baldacchino with two of Mr Debono’s heirs: Marie Cabourdin and Paul Debono in attendance.

Two Viola da Gambas were also acquired. This is a bowed string instrument which is played similarly to a cello and made its first appearance in Europe in the late 15th century, before becoming one of the most widely-used instruments in the Renaissance and Baroque period, says the press release. 

Furthermore, the baroque cello, which is typically larger than a standard cello characterised by a lower sound was also collected, along with two clavichords, a rectangular stringed keyboard instrument largely used in the Late Middle Ages, all the way through the Renaissance, Baroque and Classical Eras.

The Broadwood piano will be the first of the instruments to feature in a Teatru Manoel Concert on Wednesday 13th November at 20:00, with a Mozart Concert by Ensemble DeNote. The concert is supported by the Friends of the Manoel and held in memory of the George Debono.

The post Teatru Manoel acquires baroque instruments first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

“Poetry as you have never heard it before at the Salesians Theatre!  Folly, Fantasy and Feeling is a live performance of music and poetry presented by Nicholas de Piro and Lucy Paterson and featuring Alex Manché on the piano,” the event description says.

The non-profit organisation’s main concern is the fabric of St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, which the NGO believes is in “dire need of restoration”. The organisation is raising funds to restore this historic building.

Tickets for the event are available for sale at the official website of Teatru Manoel. Donors can support the NGO’s call on their official website.

The post Folly, Fantasy and Feeling in Teatru Salesjan on 27 February first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.