Coming Over

What To Do

For those interested in something more sedate, the Malta Cultural Institute hosts concerts, ballets and choir recitals on a regular basis.

The baroque 18th century theatre, The Manoel, in aptly named Old Theatre Street, Valletta, makes a wonderful venue for the performing arts. The Manoel Theatre is one of the oldest in Europe (and definitely the oldest theatre still in use). Built in 1731, and one of the oldest working theatres in Europe, it has been fully restored to its earlier splendour. It is a wonderful setting in its own right. The theatre runs guided tours of the auditorium, back stage and the theatre museum.

The Manoel opened in 1732 to a season of French classics. Today, it offers a full calendar ranging from comedy to classics, in both English and Maltese, and by both local and international actors and performers. The Sala Isouard, an adjacent palace now part of the Theatre, also hosts events.

The Mediterranean conference centre has a thriving musical calendar of its own.

The Manoel, and other venues in Valletta, are the scene of several annual festivals: the Valletta Baroque Festival; the Arts Festival; and Opera Festival. Theatre performances are held in other venues, such as the Old University building in Valletta and the University of Malta at Tal-Qroqq.

Dedicated amateur groups stage excellent performances. Highlights of the year include the open-air Shakespeare performed in the baroque gardens of San Anton Palace in July.

The Islands have several venues for opera: the Manoel Theatre and Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta; as well as theatres in Victoria, Gozo. In the past Malta had a dedicated opera building in Valletta. The opera building was destroyed in World War II. But the site where it once stood is to be developed into a national arts centre, more versatile for performing arts than its predecessor.