It’s curtains up as the Manoel Theatre announces its 2012-2013 season, packed with Maltese and international productions that span every genre of the performing arts, to provide an eclectic culture calendar .
The season starts with Notte Bianca on Saturday, offering visitors to the capital four free 30-minute productions (one play, one jazz session with Mike del Ferro and two short operas by Salieri and Mozart respectively). Del Ferro will also hold a jazz jam session the following day.
Akasha, a contemporary dance show choreographed by Mavin Khoo, is being performed on October 2 and 3. This will be followed by the annual orchestral premiere on October 11, a full-orchestra concert that has become a highlight on the theatre’s calendar. This year, the EU Baroque Orchestra will perform Corelli’s Legacy.
The rest of the music programme, under the guidance of theatre music director Brian Schembri, includes a wide range of musical genres, from both local and foreign musicians.
The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a varied repertoire in six concerts; there are recitals by various local musicians, including violinist Marcelline Agius on December 6 and soprano Gillian Zammit on May 7.
Three band concerts include one by the Big Band Brothers (October 6 and 7), the Gżira band club on November 4 and the Mnozil Brass Band from Vienna on May 3.
International performers include Istanbul Sazendeleri performing Ottoman Court Music on October 23, the Ardeo Quartet from France on November 13, classical guitarist Carlos Bonell from the UK on March 26 and Spanish flamenco dancer Maria Del Mar on May 25 and 26.
The new season also features three major festivals, starting with Teatru Unplugged, bringing a mix of diverse musical acts between December 7 and 9.
The first Valletta Baroque International Festival, to be held between January 9 and 26, includes 20 events that range from concerts and recitals to drama and ballet in a number of Baroque venues in Valletta.
Finally, April will see the International Spring Festival (April 4 to 7), consisting of a series of free concerts by local and foreign performers.
Opera will feature a double bill of Cavalleria Rusticana and I Pagliacci, to be held between March 14 and 17. Although the cast includes local and foreign performers, for the first time this will be a predominantly Maltese production, with directors Denise Mulholland and Nanette Brimmer together with set designer Pierre Portelli.
Other staple events will also make a comeback, such as the Spotlight concerts at Sala Isouard by Brian Schembri, which will continue to provide a platform for young, up-and-coming local and foreign talent.
The Toi Toi Education Programme, run by Rosetta De Battista, also enters a second season. This programme includes events and concerts devised specifically for babies to two-year-olds, three- to five-year-olds and six- toeight-year-olds as well as a youth theatre group.
The aim is to introduce children to the joy of music and performance from as early an age as possible. This programme also includes pre-show talks and one-off workshops with visiting artists.
The season’s drama programme, managed by the theatre’s drama consultant Simone Spiteri, includes five plays:two in English and three inMaltese, two of which arenewly-commissioned plays.
There will also be a directors’ programme (seminars, forums and master classes for budding directors) as well as a seriesof interviews with leadingpractitioners from the Maltese theatre scene.
“The theatre’s mission is to entertain, inform and educate, enriching the cultural life of the audience,” said Manoel Theatre CEO Ray Attard.
“We want to provide a platform for artists to excel in their talents and are committed to the presentation of quality productions and the creation of new audiences for music and drama genres.”
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