2019 SEASON

‘Casa Cassar’, Triq il-Vittorja, Valletta VLT 1050

pjazzateatrurjal.mt

contact@pjazzateatrurjal.mt

+356 2247 8100

It is with great pride and pleasure that we welcome you to Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s 2019 artistic season. This booklet will guide you through the main highlights and provide you with useful and practical information on every performance.

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 updates.

In order to ensure that your experience at Pjazza Teatru Rjal is a most enjoyable one we invite you to read through the theatre’s house rules that are available for download on our website as purchasing of tickets or attendance at Pjazza Teatru Rjal implies the acceptance of these regulations.

We thank you for your support and we look forward to welcoming you at Pjazza Teatru Rjal.

WELCOME

Pjazza Teatru Rjal strives to attain cultural excellence by

providing a diverse programme of the highest possible calibre topped up with the exceptional

and unique experience of an open air performance space

within Malta’s capital city. 

Besides having been an important contribution towards Valletta 18’s calendar,

Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s artistic season for 2018 was yet another important milestone in the theatre’s success story featuring important international artistes such as Igudesman & Joo, The Swingles, Jazz musicians Bertil Strandberg and Stjepko Gut, Hungaro-Ukranian violinist Edvin Marton and pianist Balázs Havasi amongst others.

This year’s calendar is no less attractive. It is proof of Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s

commitment towards its mission, that of “attaining cultural excellence by

providing a diverse programme of the

highest possible calibre.” Moreover, our venue offers the exceptional and unique experience of an open air performance space within Malta’s capital city that contribute in no small measure towards making every performance at Pjazza Teatru Rjal – whether it is music or dance, film or musical theatre, educational programmes or television shows – that little bit more special.

My thanks go to the authorities, to my colleagues on the Board of Directors and to all the staff who make the whole calendar of events possible. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank producers and cultural organisations for their full collaboration throughout the season.

Charles Gatt Chairman

Pjazza Teatru Rjal has, by now, firmly established itself as one of Malta’s foremost cultural contributors, not only in the summer months with a varied artistic programme but also during the colder months through its Iljieli fit-Teatru Series. Whilst carrying on from last year’s success, this year’s series will delve into new art forms such as film-making and cartoon art.

The Malta Concert Orchestra continues to be of fundamental importance towards the success of L-Għanja tal-Poplu both in the youth (March) and adult (August) editions of the festival. This year’s orchestral calendar will include annual appointments such as MCO Pop, Suċċessi Maltin, Notte Italiana and A Night at the Musicals, concerts featuring the MCO Big Band as well as a repeat of last year’s extremely successful Christmas “on the move”.

Pjazza Teatru Rjal will also continue its collaborative relation with the Ministry for Education that sees both entitites engaging in a number

of activities that include workshops and educational projects by musicians of the Malta Concert Orchestra, job exposure and job shadowing opportunities for the students as well as curriculum development opportunities.

Allow me to show my appreciation to the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government, Arts Council Malta and PTR Board for their support, to our ever growing audience and to the Management and Staff of Pjazza Teatru Rjal for making it all happen.

Christopher MuscatDirector

1861design by English architect

Edward Middleton Barry

1877theatre reopens following

extensive restoration works

A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW

1873theatre accidentally catches fire

and its interior is extensively damaged1866

inauguration of the Royal Opera House

2013inauguration

of Pjazza Teatru Rjal

2008Renzo Piano commissioned

to design the Valletta City Gate project

2006government announces a

proposal to redevelop the site 

1942theatre destroyed in an aerial attack

during the 2nd World War1895

electricity replaces the use of gas to illuminate the theatre

PJAZZA TEATRU RJAL BOARD

Chairman Charles Gatt

Members Norbert Attard

Jesmond Aquilina

Annabel Brincat Stellini

Joseph Camilleri

Stephanie Fenech

Clifford Galea

Brigitte Gauci Borda

Joseph Piscopo

George Zahra

ORGANISATION

ADMINISTRATION

Director Christopher Muscat

Admin & Operations Officer Dorothy Camilleri

Administrative Assistant Mario Fardell

Technical Executive Charles Aquilina

Tradesman/Stage Crew Francis Camilleri

Associate Conductors Paul Abela

Joe Brown

Orchestra co-ordinator Emanuel Spagnol

L-GĦANJA TAL-POPLU ŻGĦAŻAGĦFriday 15th Marchl19:30hlKulleġġ San Benedittu, KirkopMalta Concert Orchestral 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 Aprill12:00h, 16:00h, 18:00hlPjazza Teatru RjalSunday 14th Aprill12:00hlPjazza 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 POPFriday 26th Aprill20:30hlPjazza Teatru RjalMalta Concert OrchestralJoe 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 JOURNEYFriday 3rd Mayl21:00hlPjazza 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 Friday 17th Mayl20:00hlPjazza Teatru Rjal

Concert Climat is a powerful musical evocation of humanity's struggle with the consequences of climate change. A trilogy of suites for jazz septet, the music was composed by French-American pianist and trombonist Joe Makholm and premiered by the Paris Jazz Repertory Septet during the COP21 Paris climate conference in December 2015. Local jazz group Lieder Project will also be performing in this concert.

Free Entrance

SUĊĊESSI MALTIN Friday 24th Mayl20:30hlPjazza Teatru RjalMalta Concert OrchestralPaul Abela conductor

The Malta Concert Orchestra, under the direction of Paul Abela, will bring back to life some of Malta’s best-loved and evergreen songs performed live by the Greenfields, Mary Spiteri, Mary Rose Mallia and Tony Camilleri (L-Għannej).

SING AND SWINGFriday 6th Junel20:30hlPjazza Teatru RjalMassimo LopezlMCO Big BandlGabriele 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 MALTASaturday 8th Junel21:00hlPjazza 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 beauty pageant 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 FESTIVALFriday 14th – Sunday 23rd Junel21:00hlPjazza 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 CONCERTFriday 28th Junel21:00hlPjazza Teatru RjalMalta Philharmonic OrchestralMalta Youth OrchestralGergely 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 INTERNATIONALARTS FESTIVALSaturday 6th Julyl21:00hlPjazza Teatru RjalMalta Philharmonic OrchestralPavel ŠnajdrlBeibei 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

MARCH15 L-Għanja tal-Poplu Żgħażagħ Kulleġġ San Benedittu, Kirkop25 Iljieli fit-TeatrulCorazón

APRIL3 Piano Recital by Julia Miller (PTR Green Room)8 Iljieli fit-TeatrulShort Films 13-14 Nickelodeon Treasure Hunt Theatre Show26 MCO Pop

MAY3 PTR – ŻfinMalta joint productionlVoyager 6 Iljieli fit-TeatrulIlħna Żagħżugħa17 Jazz Jamboree24 MCO Suċċessi Maltin

JUNE6 Sing & SwinglMassimo Lopez and the MCO big band8 Miss Malta14-23 Valletta Film Festival28 MPO-MYO Annual Concert

JULY6 MPO at the Malta International Arts Festival13 Classic Greats: Comedy GoldlRainer Hersch18 MCO Big Band at the Malta Jazz Festival 201920 Malta Police Band 25th Anniversary Concert26 Forceful Feelings | The Show27 Feel The Magic of MusicalslVictoria, Gozo

AUGUST 9 MCO Notte Italiana24 Tribute to the StarslJoe Cutajar31 L-Għanja tal-Poplu

2019 SEASON

SEPTEMBER18 CCC Moon Festival20 Pjazza Rock ’19lMellieħa

OCTOBER5 Notte Bianca9 Piano recital by Julia Miller19 MCO Sacred music concert21 Iljieli fit-TeatrulShort Films

NOVEMBER11 Iljieli fit-TeatrulSpotlight on Brahms

DECEMBER 7 A Night at the Musicals with the Malta Concert Orchestra9 Iljieli fit-Teatrul Dean Fenech (cartoonist) & Dominic Galea (piano)12 Piano recital by Julia Miller21 MCO Christmas “on the move”24 Winter WonderlandlMalta Police Force Band

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.

CLASSIC GREATS:COMEDY GOLDComedian Meets OrchestraThe Rainer Hersch Orkestra

Saturday 13th Julyl20:30hPjazza 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!

“This is comedy genius” (The Times)

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 AT THE MALTA JAZZ FESTIVAL 2019Thursday 18th Julyl21:00hlPjazza Teatru Rjal

For the second year running, Pjazza Teatru Rjal will collaborate with the Malta Jazz Festival in a special concert featuring the jazz big band of the Malta Concert Orchestra.

maltajazzfestival.org

FORCEFUL FEELINGS THE SHOWFriday 26th Julyl21:00hlPjazza Teatru Rjal

Forceful Feelings was founded in 2006 by a group of male ballet dancers from such prestigious ballet companies as The Royal Swedish Ballet, Bavarian State Ballet, Zurich Ballet and State Ballet Berlin. Having performed in Armenia, Germany, Italy, France and 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 ITALIANAFriday 9th Augustl20:30hlPjazza 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 Augustl20:00hlPjazza 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 MALTIJASaturday 31st Augustl20:00hlPjazza Teatru RjalMalta Concert OrchestralJoe 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 MOONFESTIVAL PERFORMANCEWednesday 18th Septemberl20:00hlPjazza 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

NOTTE BIANCASaturday 5th OctoberlPjazza Teatru Rjal

For one special night every October, Notte Bianca lights up the Valletta cityscape with a spectacular celebration that is open to the public free of charge. This year the Malta Youth Orchestra will be performing a concert of popular classical and operatic music at Pjazza Teatru Rjal.

Free Entrance

PJAZZA ROCK ’19Friday 20th Septemberl20:30hlMisrah il-Parroċċa Mellieħa

Pjazza Rock is Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s own tribute to the great Rock artistes of all times performed live by some of Malta’s leading rock bands. This concert forms part of Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s outreach programme Pjazza fi Pjazza and is being organised in collaboration with the Mellieħa Local Council.

Free entrance

MCO SACRED MUSIC CONCERT Saturday 19th Octoberl19:30hAnnunciation Church (San Duminku), Il-BirguMalta Concert OrchestralEmanuel 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 Decemberl19:30hlCatholic Institute, FlorianaMalta Concert OrchestralPaul 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 Decemberl18:30hPjazza 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 MILLER3rd April, 9th October & 12th Decemberl19:30hlGreen 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-TEATRUThis year’s edition of the Iljieli fit-Teatru series continues to build on the success of the first edition held in 2018. The intimate setting of Pjazza Teatru Rjal’s Green Room provides the perfect setting for these cultural evenings that feature some of Malta’s top artists representing various art forms. The line-up for this year’s series include Corazón who will be performing some of her own compositions and talking about the creative process behind song writing (25th March), MPO principal viola Nadia Debono and MPO resident conductor Michael

Laus performing the Brahms Viola Sonatas (11th November) as well as one of Malta’s leading jazz pianists Dominic Galea who will be sharing the platform with cartoon artist Dean Fenech (9th December). PTR’s ongoing collaboration with the Valletta Film Festival will this year result also in the screening of short films (8th April and 21st October) while on 6th May young musicians and writers, selected from their respective school colleges, will have the opportunity to demonstrate their talents in public.

25 MAR

8 APR

21 OCT

6 MAY

9DEC

11 NOV

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 Presswww.salesianpress.com

www.pjazzateatrurjal.mt