2019 SEASON ‘Casa Cassar’, Triq il-Vittorja, VLT 1050 pjazzateatrurjal.mt [email protected] +356 2247 8100 WELCOME It is with great pride and pleasure that we welcome you to Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s 2019 artistic season. Pjazza Teatru Rjal strives to This booklet will guide you through the main highlights and provide you with useful and practical attain cultural excellence by information on every performance. providing a diverse programme Although all information in this booklet is correct at the time of printing, producers reserve the right to make certain changes. We therefore ask you to kindly check Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s website for the latest of the highest possible calibre updates. topped up with the exceptional

In order to ensure that your experience at Pjazza Teatru Rjal is a most enjoyable one we invite you to and unique experience of an read through the theatre’s house rules that are available for download on our website as purchasing of open air performance space tickets or attendance at Pjazza Teatru Rjal implies the acceptance of these regulations. within ’s capital city. We thank you for your support and we look forward to welcoming you at Pjazza Teatru Rjal. Besides having been an important highest possible calibre.” Moreover, our venue offers the exceptional contribution towards Valletta 18’s calendar, and unique experience of an open air performance space within Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s artistic season for 2018 Malta’s capital city that contribute in no small measure towards was yet another important milestone making every performance at Pjazza Teatru Rjal – whether it is in the theatre’s success story featuring music or dance, film or musical theatre, educational programmes or important international artistes such television shows – that little bit more special. as Igudesman & Joo, The Swingles, Jazz musicians Bertil Strandberg and My thanks go to the authorities, to my colleagues on the Board of Stjepko Gut, Hungaro-Ukranian violinist Directors and to all the staff who make the whole calendar of events Edvin Marton and pianist Balázs Havasi possible. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank producers amongst others. and cultural organisations for their full collaboration throughout the season. This year’s calendar is no less attractive. It is proof of Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s Charles Gatt commitment towards its mission, that Chairman of “attaining cultural excellence by providing a diverse programme of the Pjazza Teatru Rjal has, by now, firmly established itself as one of Malta’s of activities that include workshops and foremost cultural contributors, not only in the summer months with a educational projects by musicians of the varied artistic programme but also during the colder months through Malta Concert Orchestra, job exposure its Iljieli fit-Teatru Series. Whilst carrying on from last year’s success, and job shadowing opportunities for this year’s series will delve into new art forms such as film-making the students as well as curriculum and cartoon art. development opportunities.

The Malta Concert Orchestra continues to be of fundamental Allow me to show my appreciation to importance towards the success of L-Għanja tal-Poplu both in the the Ministry for Justice, Culture and youth (March) and adult (August) editions of the festival. This year’s Local Government, Arts Council Malta orchestral calendar will include annual appointments such as MCO and PTR Board for their support, to Pop, Suċċessi Maltin, Notte Italiana and A Night at the Musicals, concerts our ever growing audience and to the featuring the MCO Big Band as well as a repeat of last year’s extremely Management and Staff of Pjazza Teatru successful Christmas “on the move”. Rjal for making it all happen.

Pjazza Teatru Rjal will also continue its collaborative relation with the Christopher Muscat Ministry for Education that sees both entitites engaging in a number Director A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW 1877 theatre reopens following 1873 extensive restoration works theatre accidentally catches fire 1866 and its interior is extensively damaged inauguration 1861 of the Royal Opera House design by English architect Edward Middleton Barry 1942 theatre destroyed in an aerial attack 2008 during the 2nd World War Renzo Piano commissioned 1895 2006 to design the Valletta City electricity replaces the use of gas government announces a Gate project to illuminate the theatre proposal to redevelop the site 2013 inauguration of Pjazza Teatru Rjal ORGANISATION

PJAZZA TEATRU RJAL BOARD ADMINISTRATION

Chairman Charles Gatt Director Christopher Muscat Members Norbert Admin & Operations Officer Dorothy Camilleri

Jesmond Aquilina Administrative Assistant Mario Fardell Annabel Brincat Stellini Technical Executive Charles Aquilina Joseph Camilleri Tradesman/Stage Crew Francis Camilleri Stephanie Fenech Associate Conductors Paul Abela

Clifford Galea Joe Brown Brigitte Gauci Borda Orchestra co-ordinator Emanuel Spagnol

Joseph Piscopo George Zahra L-GĦANJA TAL-POPLU ŻGĦAŻAGĦ

Friday 15th March l 19:30h l Kulleġġ San Benedittu, Kirkop Malta Concert Orchestra l Joe Brown conductor

Festival L-Għanja tal-Poplu, Pjazza Teatru Rjal and Kulleġġ San Benedittu – with the support of the Ministry for Education and Employment, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and L-Akkademja tal-Malti – have teamed up to provide this unique platform to young singers, composers and authors. Youths aged 11 to 16 will perform original songs in Maltese accompanied live by an ensemble of musicians from the Malta Concert Orchestra. NICKELODEON TREASURE HUNT MALTA 2019 STAGE SHOW!

Saturday 13th April l 12:00h, 16:00h, 18:00h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal Sunday 14th April l 12:00h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal

For the first time ever, Nickelodeon is bringing its stage show to Malta. Join your favourite Nickelodeon characters as they take to the stage for a show filled with fun and laughter. MCO POP

Friday 26th April l 20:30h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal Malta Concert Orchestra l Joe Brown conductor

Singers Jackie Pace Delicata, Angela Tirchett, Josef Tabone, Clive Muscat, Ozzy Lino and Jasmine Abela will be joining the Malta Concert Orchestra on stage to perform some of the all time pop music favourites such as Eye in the Sky, Can’t Stop the Feeling, Hey Jude, Uptown Funk and much more. VOYAGER: AN INTROSPECTIVE JOURNEY

Friday 3rd May l 21:00h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal

In 1977 Carl Sagan was invited by NASA to curate a time capsule to be sent into outer space on the Voyager spacecraft to give a snapshot of Earth’s diversity, sounds, feelings and thoughts through 116 images. Fascinated by this intriguing event, ŻfinMalta’s artistic director and choreographer Paolo Mangiola, has teamed up with visual artist Austin Camilleri to an original electro-acoustic score by Veronique Vella with costumes designed by Luke Azzopardi. Voyager propels its audience into a place of introspection and exploration of what it means to be human, reflecting on who we are as actors on a small stage in a vast cosmic arena; a fragile, pale blue dot in the enveloping darkness. Pjazza Teatru Rjal and ŻfinMalta are proud to present this dance work by an exceptional team of local creatives.

JAZZ JAMBOREE SUĊĊESSI MALTIN

Friday 17th May l 20:00h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal Friday 24th May l 20:30h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal Malta Concert Orchestra l Paul Abela conductor

Concert Climat is a powerful musical evocation of humanity's struggle The Malta Concert Orchestra, under the direction of Paul Abela, will with the consequences of climate change. A trilogy of suites for jazz bring back to life some of Malta’s best-loved and evergreen songs septet, the music was composed by French-American pianist and performed live by the Greenfields, Mary Spiteri, Mary Rose Mallia and trombonist Joe Makholm and premiered by the Paris Jazz Repertory Tony Camilleri (L-Għannej). Septet during the COP21 Paris climate conference in December 2015. Local jazz group Lieder Project will also be performing in this concert. Free Entrance SING AND SWING

Friday 6th June l 20:30h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal Massimo Lopez l MCO Big Band l Gabriele Comeglio

Massimo Lopez, crooner and showman like no other, performs a selection of swing classics, in which he will revisit the milestones of some of the all-time greats such as Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Jimmy Van Heusen, Richard Rodgers and others. A series of successes ranging from the 30’s to the 50’s, made famous by great performers like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, and Sammy Davis jr such as “Fly me to the moon”, “My way”, “I’ve got you under my skin” and “Theme from New York, New York” to mention but a few.

Lopez’s love for this style was cultivated for many years before it blossomed thanks to the collaboration with one of the most prestigious Italian jazz and swing formations, the Jazz Company led by Gabriele Comeglio who will also be leading the Big Band of the Malta Concert Orchestra in this spectacular concert. Comeglio’s illustrious career included collaborations with Grammy Award winners such as Bob Mintzer and Dee Dee Bridgewater and with important Italian pop stars such as Fabio Concato, Lucio Dalla, Mina, Ron and Franco Battiato amongst others. A real “one-man show” of songs, sympathy, elegance and comedy.

In typical Massimo Lopez fashion, the concert will include funny gags, monologues and the same irresistible, trademark imitations that had led him to great TV success fusing the great Sinatra- Bennet-Davis masterpieces with imitations of politicians past and present, from Antonio Di Pietro and Romano Prodi to Giuseppe Conte as well as some of the great Popes in history. MISS WORLD MALTA

Saturday 8th June l 21:00h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal

Organised by Modelle International, Maltese contestants will vie for the Miss World Malta titles and the right to represent Malta in the biggest and most prestigious world-wide which is viewed by over 2.5 billion tele-viewers. Miss World Malta will consist of two hours of fashion and entertainment and will be televised live on a local TV station. VALLETTA FILM FESTIVAL

Friday 14th – Sunday 23rd June l 21:00h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal

Now in its fifth edition, the Valletta Film Festival is fast establishing itself as one of Europe’s leading festivals of its kind. The festival consists of ten days packed with competitive and non-competitive films, question and answer sessions with special guests, workshops and master classes. vallettafilmfestival.com MPO – MYO SEASON CLOSING CONCERT

Friday 28th June l 21:00h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal Malta Philharmonic Orchestra l Malta Youth Orchestra l Gergely Madaras conductor

In what has become an annual tradition, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and the Malta Youth Orchestra join forces for a spectacular joint concert, which will this year be under the direction of young Hungarian conductor Gergely Madaras. Over 100 musicians will be on stage for an open-air concert which is also the highlight of the MYO’s concert season. maltaorchestra.com

MALTA INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

Saturday 6th July l 21:00h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal Malta Philharmonic Orchestra l Pavel Šnajdr l Beibei Wang

The MPO’s annual appointment with the Malta International Arts Festival will see it perform a symphonic concert under the direction of Czech conductor Pavel Šnajdr. The concert’s highlight will be Tan Dun’s Water Concerto, written for water percussion and orchestra and featuring percussionist Beibei Wang in the lead role. The programme will also include Symphony No. 9 in E-flat Major by Dmitri Shostakovich, Symphonic Metamorphosis by Paul Hindemith and Overture alla Concertante by Joseph Vella. maltaartsfestival.org 2019 SEASON JUNE MARCH 6 Sing & Swing l Massimo Lopez and the MCO big band 15 L-Għanja tal-Poplu Żgħażagħ 8 Miss Malta Kulleġġ San Benedittu, Kirkop 14-23 Valletta Film Festival 25 Iljieli fit-Teatru l Corazón 28 MPO-MYO Annual Concert

JULY APRIL 6 MPO at the Malta International Arts Festival 3 Piano Recital by Julia Miller (PTR Green Room) 13 Classic Greats: Comedy Gold l Rainer Hersch 8 Iljieli fit-Teatru l Short Films 18 MCO Big Band at the Malta Jazz Festival 2019 13-14 Nickelodeon Treasure Hunt Theatre Show 20 Malta Police Band 25th Anniversary Concert 26 MCO Pop 26 Forceful Feelings | The Show 27 Feel The Magic of Musicals l Victoria, MAY 3 PTR – ŻfinMalta joint production l Voyager AUGUST 6 Iljieli fit-Teatru l Ilħna Żagħżugħa 9 MCO Notte Italiana 17 Jazz Jamboree 24 Tribute to the Stars l Joe Cutajar 24 MCO Suċċessi Maltin 31 L-Għanja tal-Poplu DECEMBER SEPTEMBER 7 A Night at the Musicals with the Malta Concert Orchestra 18 CCC Moon Festival 9 Iljieli fit-Teatru l 20 Pjazza Rock ’19 l Mellieħa Dean Fenech (cartoonist) & Dominic Galea (piano) 12 Piano recital by Julia Miller 21 MCO Christmas “on the move” 24 Winter Wonderland l Malta Police Force Band OCTOBER 5 Notte Bianca 9 Piano recital by Julia Miller 19 MCO Sacred music concert 21 Iljieli fit-Teatru l Short Films

NOVEMBER Although all information in this booklet is correct at the time of printing, the 11 Iljieli fit-Teatru l Spotlight on Brahms producers reserve the right to make certain changes. Please check Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s website and Facebook page for latest updates. “This is comedy genius” (The Times) CLASSIC GREATS: COMEDY GOLD Comedian Meets Orchestra The Rainer Hersch Orkestra

Saturday 13th July l 20:30h Pjazza Teatru Rjal

Direct from London, the hilarious Rainer Hersch and his orchestra provide gripping, interactive musical entertainment that will certainly put a smile on your face and a skip in your step. With music from Tchaikovsky to Titanic you are guaranteed “a laugh every four bars” (Scotsman). It’s an orchestra alright but not as you know it! Rainer Hersch is a British conductor, actor, writer and comedian known for his comical take on classical music. He has toured in more than 30 countries and has broadcast extensively, principally for the BBC. Hersch studied piano with Norma Fisher and conducting at The Conservatoire in London and at the Royal Academy of Music with János Fürst and George Hurst. He has conducted many orchestras around the world including The Philharmonia Orchestra, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. Soloists who have participated in his comedy concerts include Alfred Brendel, Nicola Benedetti, Paul Lewis and Evelyn Glennie. MCO BIG BAND FORCEFUL FEELINGS AT THE MALTA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2019 THE SHOW

Thursday 18th July l 21:00h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal Friday 26th July l 21:00h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal

For the second year running, Pjazza Teatru Rjal will collaborate with Forceful Feelings was founded in 2006 by a group of male ballet the Malta Jazz Festival in a special concert featuring the jazz big band dancers from such prestigious ballet companies as The Royal of the Malta Concert Orchestra. Swedish Ballet, Bavarian State Ballet, Zurich Ballet and State Ballet Berlin. Having performed in Armenia, Germany, Italy, France and maltajazzfestival.org Switzerland, the group is a versatile company whose repertoire varies from classical ballet to works by important modern choreographers such as Mats Ek, Nacho Duato, Heinz Spoerli, Jiri Bubenicek, Johan Inger, Dustin Klein and Arsen Mehrabyan.

NOTTE ITALIANA

Friday 9th August l 20:30h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal

The third edition the Malta Concert Orchestra’s Notte Italiana will, this year, see the participation of Neville Refalo, Roger Tirazona, Alexander Schembri, Laura Bruno, Corazon and Nadia Vella under the direction of MCO Associate Conductor Joe Brown. TRIBUTE TO THE STARS

Saturday 24th August l 20:00h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal

Veteran Maltese singer Joe Cutajar returns to Pjazza Teatru Rjal in a concert that pays tribute to some of the all-time stars such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tom Jones, Matt Monro and Engelbert Humperdinck accompanied by a live band. L-GĦANJA TAL-POPLU FESTIVAL TAL-KANZUNETTA MALTIJA

Saturday 31st August l 20:00h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal Malta Concert Orchestra l Joe Brown & Paul Abela conductors

L-Għanja tal-Poplu is a live music festival devoted to the strengthening and preservation of new original songs written and performed in the Maltese language. Songs competing for the title of L-Għanja tal-Poplu deal with a variety of themes relating to the experiences of the Maltese people – social issues, hopes, dreams, and traditions. The festival awards artists who contribute significantly to the creation of songs in the Maltese language and seeks to engage audiences with these productions. Singers will have the unique opportunity of singing to the accompaniment of the Malta Concert Orchestra under the direction of Paul Abela and Joe Brown. ghanjafest.com CHINESE MOON FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE

Wednesday 18th September l 20:00h l Pjazza Teatru Rjal

The Chinese Moon Festival, also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival, is the second most important traditional Chinese festival (after the Spring Festival) to be celebrated across China. Owing to the symbolic wholeness of a large and luminous full moon during this period, it is widely associated with sentimental connotations of unity with loved ones , enjoying the company of those close by under a bright moonlit sky and transmitting affection through far-reaching moonlight to others afar. Outdoor entertainment and artistic performances are an all time favourite means of celebrating this annual festivity. malta.cccweb.org PJAZZA ROCK ’19 NOTTE BIANCA

Friday 20th September l 20:30h l Misrah il-Parroċċa Mellieħa Saturday 5th October l Pjazza Teatru Rjal

Pjazza Rock is Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s own tribute to the great Rock artistes For one special night every October, Notte Bianca lights up the of all times performed live by some of Malta’s leading rock bands. This Valletta cityscape with a spectacular celebration that is open to the concert forms part of Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s outreach programme Pjazza public free of charge. This year the Malta Youth Orchestra will be fi Pjazza and is being organised in collaboration with the Mellieħa performing a concert of popular classical and operatic music at Pjazza Local Council. Teatru Rjal.

Free entrance Free Entrance MCO SACRED MUSIC CONCERT

Saturday 19th October l 19:30h Annunciation Church (San Duminku), Il- Malta Concert Orchestra l Emanuel Spagnol conductor

Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s community outreach programme will see the Malta Concert Orchestra performing a concert of sacred music at the Annunciation Church in the historic city of Vittoriosa (Il-Birgu).

Free Entrance A NIGHT AT THE MUSICALS

Saturday 7th December l 19:30h l Catholic Institute, Floriana Malta Concert Orchestra l Paul Abela conductor

Whether it is the high-budget productions of Broadway or the West End or a small amateur production in a school or smaller regional theatres, musicals continue to attract audiences from all walks of life and have, over the years, produced some of the most immediately recognisable tunes ever. This concert will revive some of those immortal musical numbers interpreted live by the Malta Concert Orchestra under the direction of Paul Abela. MCO CHRISTMAS “ON THE MOVE”

Saturday 21st December

The Malta Concert Orchestra will be concluding its 2019 season with a special Christmas performance that sees the orchestra meeting its audience “on the move” at main Valletta landmarks. WINTER WONDERLAND

Tuesday 24th December l 18:30h Pjazza Teatru Rjal

Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s annual Christmas Eve appointment will once again see the Band of the Malta Police Force in the popular Winter Wonderland concert under the direction of Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cassar. A SERIES OF PIANO RECITALS BY JULIA MILLER

3rd April, 9th October & 12th December l 19:30h l Green Room

Malta-based Polish pianist Julia Miller’s “warmth of playing, versatility and sophisticated subtlety” are qualities that critics have constantly lauded. After graduating with a Masters degree from her hometown of Lodz, Miller has travelled extensively giving concerts on luxury cruiseliners and teaching piano in Ireland before moving to Malta in 2012. In this series of three piano recitals, Miller will be taking us on a musical journey featuring some of her favourite composers ranging from compatriot composers Chopin, Lutosławski, Szymanowski and Paderewski to Scriabin, Ravel and Granados.

More info, full programmes and tickets: pjazzateatrurjal.mt ILJIELI FIT-TEATRU

This year’s edition of the Iljieli fit-Teatru series continues to build on Laus performing the Brahms Viola Sonatas (11th November) as well as the success of the first edition held in 2018. The intimate setting of one of Malta’s leading jazz pianists Dominic Galea who will be sharing Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s Green Room provides the perfect setting for these the platform with cartoon artist Dean Fenech (9th December). PTR’s cultural evenings that feature some of Malta’s top artists representing ongoing collaboration with the Valletta Film Festival will this year various art forms. The line-up for this year’s series include Corazón result also in the screening of short films (8th April and 21st October) who will be performing some of her own compositions and talking while on 6th May young musicians and writers, selected from their about the creative process behind song writing (25th March), MPO respective school colleges, will have the opportunity to demonstrate principal viola Nadia Debono and MPO resident conductor Michael their talents in public.

25 8 6 21 11 9 MAR APR MAY OCT NOV DEC

TICKETING INFORMATION & ON-LINE BOOKINGS

WWW.PJAZZATEATRURJAL.MT Although all information in this booklet is correct at the time of printing, the producers reserve the right to make certain changes. Please check Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s website and Facebook page for latest updates.

Design & Print: Salesian Press www.salesianpress.com www.pjazzateatrurjal.mt