The Manoel Theatre will host three bands this weekend.
The King’s Own Band of Valletta will play on Friday, the Band of the Armed Forces of Malta will take to the stage on Saturday, while La Valette Band, also of Valletta, will perform on Sunday.
The music programme for each of these concerts ranges from Rossini and Wagner to Elgar and Morricone to Lloyd Webber and Maltese composers.
The King’s Own Band was founded in 1874 by maestro Giuseppe Borg and a number of enthusiasts of the feast of St Dominic in Valletta and immediately established itself as one of the leading band clubs on the island. Initially, the band was given the title of La Nazionale and, thereafter, La Nazionale Vincitrice.
In 1885, the club committee requested the permission of Edward, Prince of Wales, to take up his name and the band became known as the Prince of Wales Own until 1901, when the Prince was crowned King Edward VII and he gave the society his consent to take on the title the King’s Own Band.
The AFM Band, which was formerly known as the Royal Malta Artillery Band (RMA Band), was established in the late 19th century (1890), though some historical facts found in Malta Land Force Journal (January 1975), shows the existence of some form of a military ensemble forming part of the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment performing during the funeral of the Marques of Hastings in December 1826.
The Società Filarmonica Nazionale la Valette (La Valette Band) was founded by Pawlu Darmanin in 1874 and was originally set up to participate in the feast of St Paul in Valletta. Maestro Luigi Carabott held the role of the first band conductor and the band club held its first public performance at the Manoel Theatre in May 1875. The first band march was then held in July of the same year, at the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The band club won the award for International Band in 1927 in Italy. Former Prime Minister George Borg Oliver held the role of president of the club for 30 years, between 1950 and 1980.
The three concerts are being held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Manoel Theatre in Valletta at 8pm. There is a discounted price for those attending the three concerts. Proceeds from the AFM Band concert will go towards the Puttinu Cares Foundation. For more details about the programme and tickets, visit www.teatrumanoel.com.mt. One can also send an e-mail to bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt or call the booking office on 2124 6389.
King's Own Band
The AFM Band. Photo: Justin Gatt