tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82028309511780150292024-02-08T06:40:44.661+01:00The Anna Borg Cardona Music MuseumAnna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-82456511596723755802023-10-09T19:17:00.005+02:002024-01-07T11:49:46.563+01:00TRANSCRIPTIONS & RENDITIONS<p>In this age of press-button express service, we can search, find and listen to any piece of music in a matter of seconds. Can we even begin to imagine what it was like to discover new music in the 19th century? How would one, for example, get to know a full scale work like a symphony by Beethoven? or an opera premiered recently in <i>La Scala</i> in Milan, in <i>La Fenice </i>in Venice, or in any other theatre across Europe? No radios, no televisions, no internet, no recordings to listen to.</p><p>Composers were quick to find an answer - they wrote 'transcriptions' of these large orchestral works for just one instrument. Sometimes the original major works were their own, other times they were by other composers. Most were written for the pianoforte because that was the most popular instrument of the 19th century, but they were also written for other instruments and for voice. To these we must also add piano duets that were very popular. </p><p>The Hungarian composer, Franz Liszt (1811-1886) is famous for his pianoforte transcriptions of Beethoven's 9 Symphonies, Paganini's violin works, and Schubert's songs. In the 21st century you can easily search and find these on You tube right now! Liszt transcriptions were difficult works not within every pianist's capabilities. Other composers wrote easier renditions of the same works in order to reach a wider market. And so it was with other large works - especially orchestral or operatic works - there were transcriptions of varying difficulty and by different composers in order to reach most pianists. </p><p>Music Publishers immediately saw an advantage to this - Single arias or a particularly catchy melody from an opera, were published separately and sold inexpensively in a few pages of sheet music. Some composers chose to write variations on the themes. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCprhA5XQVP0yKitDlYNKLNxStKNRPtsLjUG1jjQGSii_anlCUjpLuzG4G5fRfi9LXKWE8ieRQji9Ru9m94djl-ky76797TZmCZxAejNgBm8TX1za3CCcePf1jNEewPpb6u6AO_cXY3pbTyGrkeke4iUohctZtZmNqhZMOdUbe3Xq2s6eyCcwcFUck0e26" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="215" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCprhA5XQVP0yKitDlYNKLNxStKNRPtsLjUG1jjQGSii_anlCUjpLuzG4G5fRfi9LXKWE8ieRQji9Ru9m94djl-ky76797TZmCZxAejNgBm8TX1za3CCcePf1jNEewPpb6u6AO_cXY3pbTyGrkeke4iUohctZtZmNqhZMOdUbe3Xq2s6eyCcwcFUck0e26" width="206" /></a><i>Simplified single arias from operas sold for 2d at Giovanni Lebrun's music outlet at 82 Strada Teatro, Valletta. ABC, P.1-9</i></div><p></p><p>In Malta in the 1840s, the music shop of Giovanni Lebrun in Strada Teatro (Old Theatre Street) was selling several of these simplified renditions of operatic works, mostly published in Naples. Pianists loved them because they could quietly get to know the arias in the privacy of their own home before attending the Opera. These pieces also became part of the repertoire played in salons of the time. The Maltese composer Dr Paolo Nani (1814-1904), known best of all for his sacred music, also rode the wave of popularity of operatic music and wrote his own renditions of operatic arias for piano. </p><p><i></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN1l2FpaJkNAgfRR1rDB79fcP4apOptzMlge1Tg7Rstdd0NR0IMglyDJ-FXHem05xTUiaQXa4foTKcRJxTsYGS_x1UOeYB13uFjNZJpbt-xKgFjhvcpuJtksYlgG1mtkd1JiEQhAlFiLoRCz1b0SmgdyLKEAQ--0I4zDEUZpO-yTzNH88zZJkij58Y7CxE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="250" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgN1l2FpaJkNAgfRR1rDB79fcP4apOptzMlge1Tg7Rstdd0NR0IMglyDJ-FXHem05xTUiaQXa4foTKcRJxTsYGS_x1UOeYB13uFjNZJpbt-xKgFjhvcpuJtksYlgG1mtkd1JiEQhAlFiLoRCz1b0SmgdyLKEAQ--0I4zDEUZpO-yTzNH88zZJkij58Y7CxE" width="319" /></a></i><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcCsNy58pWXKnug1Ol4poUcFgZ9WEyasTdH5VZvjNeaAh0Zl8N6D5l2Oym7IWrRRaQ0Kqkf0fJanpETtsSDy9hIucCBCoIuKvjnOvYpYEXlvOGNfM1bjdvXecHm0UCDoShvAMJDWPO6ZCmL_yGAd2HJ68HxNQoFSYJf6OT-XnX4bwLh0pvd_pqEjn8K4Dk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="188" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcCsNy58pWXKnug1Ol4poUcFgZ9WEyasTdH5VZvjNeaAh0Zl8N6D5l2Oym7IWrRRaQ0Kqkf0fJanpETtsSDy9hIucCBCoIuKvjnOvYpYEXlvOGNfM1bjdvXecHm0UCDoShvAMJDWPO6ZCmL_yGAd2HJ68HxNQoFSYJf6OT-XnX4bwLh0pvd_pqEjn8K4Dk" width="180" /></a></i></div> <i> Early 19th century renditions of Verdi's </i>Rigoletto <i>through which pianists got to know the opera arias. </i> <i><br /><br /></i><p></p>Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-62647793386240842472023-08-16T17:35:00.003+02:002024-01-07T17:30:40.360+01:00IT-TRADIZZJONIJIET TAGHNA<p>Aħna m'aħna xejn kburin bit-tradizzjonijiet tagħna. U mhux qed ngħid għall-festi. Qatt ma ppruvajna nsalvaw dak li kellna imma tlaqna kollox u ħallejnieh jispiċċa u jtir mar-riħ. </p><p>Nista' nsemmi ħafna affarijiet li nixtieq li l-Maltin ta' qabilna għamlu xi ftit sforz biex isalvawhom - il-ħafna żfin li kellna per eżempju - x'sar minnu? Kien hemm ħafna żifniet differenti ta' kull okkazjoni. Iż-żifniet tal-Karnival, il-Birgu kellu żifniet partikolari tiegħu, il-kuntradanza jew <i>il-Maltija</i> li kienu jsejjħulha żifna 'nazzjonali'... Kollox telaq. F'liema pajjiż ma tarax it-tfal jitgħallmu u jiżfnu ż-żfin tradizzjonali tagħhom? Jew jilbsu l-ilbies tradizzjonali tal-post? ikantaw /jgħannu l-għanjiet ta' pajjiżjhom? Jew idoqqu l-istrumenti tradizzjonali tal-pajjiż? U kburin bihom! KBURIN! Aħna le. </p><p>Kif taħsbu li nistgħu ikollna identita Maltija? Identita TAGHNA? U ma nkunux l-istess bħal kulħadd, b'xejn differenti, xejn speċjali, xejn uniku, xejn interessanti li jiġbed lin-nies. Ma nintgħarrfux bħala Maltin. Qisna biċċa Cikku l-poplu ta' pajjiżi oħra. Għiduli kif jista' jkollna identita 'Maltija'?? </p><p>Għandna marda li neqirdu t-tajjeb tagħna mingħajr ma nqisuh. Biżżejjed tara x'qed nagħmlu fl-irħula tagħna,.... neqirdu l-bini sabih u uniku u l-pajsaġġ ta' madwarna, u nibnu dak il-kruha li tista' ssibu f'kwalunkwe post u ħadd ma jħares lejh darbtejn. Kemm nistgħu inkunu boloħ! U l-istess fit-tradizzjonijiet sbieh tagħna. U, iva, il-barranin jaraw u japprezzaw ħafna iżjed minna! </p><p>Naqta' qalbi minn dal-pajjiż!</p><p><br /></p>Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-79238338068627097382022-12-31T16:54:00.014+01:002023-03-04T17:15:49.605+01:00L-INNU MALTI - wara 100 sena<p> Din is-sena 2022 l-<b>Innu Malti</b> jagħlaq mitt sena mindu meta tkanta l-ewwel darba fit-Teatru Manoel fis- 27 ta' Diċembru 1922. L-Innu huwa poeżija ta' dun Karm Psaila u motiv semplici tal-Prof. Robert Samut. </p><p>Dun Karm jgħid li d-direttur tal-iskejjel tal-Gvern, Dr Albert Laferla, kien talbu jikteb żewġ versi fuq il-motiv ta' Samut biex jitkantaw mit-tfal tal-iskejjel tal-Gvern. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Ara <i>Il-Berqa </i>16 ta' Marzu 1944; Toni Cortis 'Encore għall-Innu Malti' <i>In-Nazzjon Tagħna</i> 1 Gunju 1993; u Oliver Friggieri, <i>L-istorja tal-Innu Malti, </i>Klabb Kotba Maltin, 2014). </span>Dan jidher li kien l-ewwel skop tal-poeżija reliġjuża. Interessanti li mill-Arkivji tal-Għaqda tal-Kittieba tal-Malti, jidher li Dun Karm ma kellu l-ebda ħsieb li dan ikun Innu Nazzjonali, iżda xtaqu jintuża bħala Innu tal-Għaqda tal-Kittieba tal-Malti li twaqqfet fl-1920. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Ara David Agius Muscat, 'Ir-Rabta tal-Għaqda Tal-Kittieba tal-Malti mal-Innu Nazzjonali', <i>Studji Dun Karmjani, </i>ed.<i> </i>Carmel Azzoppardi, Klabb Kotba Maltin, 2011). </span></p><p>L-Innu kien reġa' tkanta t-tieni darba fit-Teatru Manoel għal-'Kuncert Malti' tal-Għaqda tal-Kittieba tal-Malti fit-3 ta' Frar1923. Din id-darba nafu li kantawh il-bniet tal-iskola tal-Gvern, li jidher li kien l-iskop oriġinali tiegħu. Fl-istess serata daqqewh ukoll is-<i>Societa Mandolinistica Melita</i> tal-Birgu. F'din id-data memorabbli tat-3 ta' Frar 1923 diġa nsibuh imniżżel bħala 'Innu Malti'.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJE4bqaAr1zjRy7xTNcFbhTMexA48wbXRhQ7r1tk6HQMppOb5IkINJlzKxQsFnirpldbwPp5HOus4OIrCQkX-6GVX_uHVWKFg0PjqRkgiL-dI_nzQicyxcGEDc6p6GGKETNxCQV8rHuVPwl2JLpe91V1Kokgr2UocoGOrs-cvNh_W5icExIItywaGLLg/s906/3%20Feb%201923%20Innu%20Malti..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="906" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJE4bqaAr1zjRy7xTNcFbhTMexA48wbXRhQ7r1tk6HQMppOb5IkINJlzKxQsFnirpldbwPp5HOus4OIrCQkX-6GVX_uHVWKFg0PjqRkgiL-dI_nzQicyxcGEDc6p6GGKETNxCQV8rHuVPwl2JLpe91V1Kokgr2UocoGOrs-cvNh_W5icExIItywaGLLg/s320/3%20Feb%201923%20Innu%20Malti..jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Programm tal-Għaqda tal-Kittieba tal-Malti tat-3 ta' Frar 1923. Għal dan nirringrazzja lill-Arkivji Nazzjonali, Rabat. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6vr33T-sIb_j_zJZHUYl4zWba2JqzgcJmjRKVNCJBWTgTLg6qa5a8tkAijJbyiQ5Kv64d6dz-Y4ZfZiLT2-6n1vE_gvg_WFiRao7jUdhz9ce-Aim4OzM4OtHOcgNnheK7QUdFgAzceNkPYzZ8eKtvU0yQDlDgSAQ4lp42TSdF3a41O-jMEmlMlAmyQ/s907/3%20Feb%201923%20Manoel%20Gh.%20K.%20Malti,%20Innu%20Malti..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="907" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6vr33T-sIb_j_zJZHUYl4zWba2JqzgcJmjRKVNCJBWTgTLg6qa5a8tkAijJbyiQ5Kv64d6dz-Y4ZfZiLT2-6n1vE_gvg_WFiRao7jUdhz9ce-Aim4OzM4OtHOcgNnheK7QUdFgAzceNkPYzZ8eKtvU0yQDlDgSAQ4lp42TSdF3a41O-jMEmlMlAmyQ/s320/3%20Feb%201923%20Manoel%20Gh.%20K.%20Malti,%20Innu%20Malti..jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Nixtieq naqsam magħkom xi verżjonijiet li għandi tal-Innu Malti. </p><p>1. L-ewwel waħda kienet ippublikata minn Ivo Muscat Azzopardi x'aktarx fl-40ijiet. Dun Karm kien stqarr li ma xtaqx li l-Innu jinqaleb bl-ebda lingwa iżda hawnhekk insibu l-versi maqlubin għall-Ingliż minn May Butcher. Din il-melodija hija miktuba fit-ton tal-LA (A Major) u armonizzata b'akkumpanjament li kien żied Mro Paolo Nani, iżda ma tidher l-ebda referenza għalih. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzo4M7TJgYMAsgM5Cak9VjQDCjUY7p90k9E662YCzZgAzcVc8ndbF9e1AMJt-0fOhqNXzU4KqcBsFm_eUwVX3GKfo_QCGIlFMhAIC10U0-S8DG3X6rTVPNAyvD80GXfFYQeUADbujZafFCMdlbCR4otdxSIxcg2LLxzTSVHFFcAQF5SoXy59uxHiFkg/s11208/1.Innu%20Malti.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="11208" data-original-width="9371" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzo4M7TJgYMAsgM5Cak9VjQDCjUY7p90k9E662YCzZgAzcVc8ndbF9e1AMJt-0fOhqNXzU4KqcBsFm_eUwVX3GKfo_QCGIlFMhAIC10U0-S8DG3X6rTVPNAyvD80GXfFYQeUADbujZafFCMdlbCR4otdxSIxcg2LLxzTSVHFFcAQF5SoXy59uxHiFkg/s320/1.Innu%20Malti.JPG" width="268" /></span></a></div><br /><br />2. Maestro Paolo Nani kien żied l-akkumpanjament fl-1938 u għamel orkestrazzjoni sħiħa li izjed tard bdiet tindaqq fil-festi uffiċjali u anki fuq it-televiżjoni. F'din it-tieni verzjoni (hawn taħt) jissemma li l-Innu kien ġie rekonoxxut bħala 'Innu Malti' fit-22 ta' Frar 1941. Il-mużika nsibuha miktuba fit-ton tal-LA (A Major) bl-istess akkumpanjament bħal dik ta' fuq. Din il-verżjoni tidher li riedet tagħmel ċar is-sehem ta' Maestro Paolo Nani li ma kienx jissemma' fl-oħra (1), iżda tgħidilna wkoll kull min ta sehem u eżatt x'għamel. Fuq il-lemin ta' fuq jidhru n-noti ta' Sammut fit-ton tas-SOL (G Major). <br /> Din ingħatatli mis-Sur Mario Nani.<div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> 2.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wOJ0cp7luAp0ZckfrGRCBO0tZ_LfUQIsBxfWZGUW9AVnp672N7ub3JHiVX3fhH6bojtsupBNHncAHRdZa_mLCJHMK2-UsSnslmjvoMdRtH7WgpvIgdkLrh-Q0LVsKYzL9dp3fo_9XrHE0Bo-_5yMjymsr2Vjr9GQ4iKjItLLpJNBzCDrhV9vqOoDSw/s3456/2.Innu%20Malti%20from%20Mario%20Nani.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="2592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wOJ0cp7luAp0ZckfrGRCBO0tZ_LfUQIsBxfWZGUW9AVnp672N7ub3JHiVX3fhH6bojtsupBNHncAHRdZa_mLCJHMK2-UsSnslmjvoMdRtH7WgpvIgdkLrh-Q0LVsKYzL9dp3fo_9XrHE0Bo-_5yMjymsr2Vjr9GQ4iKjItLLpJNBzCDrhV9vqOoDSw/s320/2.Innu%20Malti%20from%20Mario%20Nani.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>3. <b>'</b>Hymn of Malta' miktuba bl-idejn kienet ma gozz mużika stampata u x'aktarx li ġiet minn studenta tal-iskola tal-kunvent tas-Sacred Heart, probabbli mill-40ijiet. Interessanti li l-versi jidhru bl-ingliż biss bil-kliem ta' May Butcher u l-mużika hija l-oriġinali li nkitbet minn Samut fit-ton tas-sol. Fl-iskola tas-sorijiet tas-Sacred Heart (San Giljan) dak iż-żmien ma kienx permess li t-tfal jitkellmu bil-Malti. Kienu obbligati li jitkellmu bl-ingliż biss. Din forsi insibuha stramba illum iżda s-sorijiet kienu kollha ingliżi jew irlandiżi. S'issa ma rnexxilix insib kenux ikantaw l-Innu, u jekk hu hekk kenux ikantawh bl-ingliż jew bil-Malti fl-iskola fl-40ijiet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyYAaMHGw9GMH-4fuXzEPvfKsyr3yL_G-b_Sy31yRTnDNxXXnO6QWtusslsP6BIcGH7rdMvgmwd4L2-LdLh5JMEAt4WDXZf859I3ia-UaIJdnJfLHvdSTiY1gfcR27HwNpBodKu7QjASJINHcaID7A1rQ0giLcjaN0_5S_jhW-m-LIcF_HsiICz_P-g/s3094/3.HYMN%20of%20Malta%20music%20&%20text.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3094" data-original-width="3010" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyYAaMHGw9GMH-4fuXzEPvfKsyr3yL_G-b_Sy31yRTnDNxXXnO6QWtusslsP6BIcGH7rdMvgmwd4L2-LdLh5JMEAt4WDXZf859I3ia-UaIJdnJfLHvdSTiY1gfcR27HwNpBodKu7QjASJINHcaID7A1rQ0giLcjaN0_5S_jhW-m-LIcF_HsiICz_P-g/s320/3.HYMN%20of%20Malta%20music%20&%20text.JPG" width="311" /></a></div><br /><p> Is-sehem tas-socjeta mandolinistika - inkompli darb'oħra</p></div>Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-8595539324579520702022-12-18T15:09:00.005+01:002022-12-24T14:11:08.637+01:00The Christmas Crib & Bambini<div class="separator"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzpWeJCvh40EsRaOb5d7YUEZFF6gxnuqBO8g-kC38UsAQa88lyVlj4TFOVEO6H2UNBF8UIX7gZUYtCY9fReQMnZ_3m0Qi4uX1HBjgU6on7RLXqoBZbE78jve132yUARCOUZdVeEnmQbcsmhyvYsP2g2B8ZNjXim8SISu8wbMILa2ddGdE9RQn-GIUTw/s2569/MDINA%20crib%202021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="2569" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzpWeJCvh40EsRaOb5d7YUEZFF6gxnuqBO8g-kC38UsAQa88lyVlj4TFOVEO6H2UNBF8UIX7gZUYtCY9fReQMnZ_3m0Qi4uX1HBjgU6on7RLXqoBZbE78jve132yUARCOUZdVeEnmQbcsmhyvYsP2g2B8ZNjXim8SISu8wbMILa2ddGdE9RQn-GIUTw/s320/MDINA%20crib%202021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"> <i style="text-align: center;">Mdina Cathedral, 18th century crib </i><span style="text-align: center;">(2021)</span></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><br />What better time than Christmas to share with you some interesting archival information on the Christmas crib in Malta. It is evident that by the 17th century the custom of annually preparing a crib in churches and in confraternity oratories had gained ground. I didn't look at earlier documents, and unfortuanately I have not looked at the Franciscan archives yet. But this is worth sharing all the same.<p></p><p>In the <b>Jesuits' church</b> in Valletta, a crib (<i>presepio</i>) was being put up by the sacristan in the 1640s and 1650s for which there was an annual expense of 2 to 3 <i>scudi. </i>No details are given except that foliage (<i>fogliami</i>) was used. The sacristan, who was a Jesuit brother, is also recorded making the <i>statue </i>or figures we now call<i> pasturi</i>, at a cost of another <i>scudo</i>. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(ACM, Fondo Gesuiti, Giornale 1638-1646)</span></p><p>This crib would have been given pride of place and music by several singers and instrumentalists on Christmas eve, Christmas day as well as on the feast of the Cicumcision of Jesus (1st of January) would have enhanced these important celebrations.</p><p><i>Fil-knisja tal-Ġiżwiti, l-Belt is-sagristan kien qed jitħallas għal presepju li bena kważi kull sena bejn 1640 u 1650ijiet. L-istess sagristan tħallas ukoll għall-'istatwi' jew pasturi li għamel. Kull ma nafu hu li fil-presepju intuża xi tip ta ħaxix.</i></p><p>The <b>Confraternity of Our Lady of Charity</b> in Valletta was erecting what they called <i>prospettive di Natale (</i>1657). These constructions depicting the Nativity were made of wood, cloth, carton, and matt gold paint <span style="font-size: x-small;">(ACC, HMML, 00170, 114V).</span> . The first direct reference to a <i>presepe</i> in their oratory appears in 1686. The confraternity archives give very specific details on the materials purchased for making the crib; turpentine, a pot, and a stone oven (<i>termentina, una pignata, un fucolare</i>). Their crib was also illuminated with oil lamps. </p><p>With this backdrop of cribs and <i>prospettive</i> it became customary over the Christmas period to hold 40 hours of devotion, known as the <i>Quarant'ore,</i> with a number of muiscians providing music for the hours of devotions <span style="font-size: x-small;">(ACC, HMML, KKM_00172, 295R).</span></p><p><span><i>Fil-fratellanza tal-Madonna tal-karita tal-Belt kienu qed jagħmlu 'prospettive' tal-Milied fl-1657. Dawn kienu magħmulin mill-injam, drapp, kartun, u xi zebgħa tad-deheb.L-ewwel darba li jissemma l-presepju fl-Oratorju tagħhom hu fl-1686 u hawn nafu li xtraw it-terpentina, xi kontenitur u l-fuklar biex jagħmlu l-presepju li fl-aħħar kien mixgħul b'ħames lampi taż-żejt. Fl-Oratorju, waqt il-ġranet tal-Milied kienu jagħmlu l-</i>Quarant'ore <i>(40 sigħa ta' devozzjoni) bil mużika.</i></span></p><p>The <b>Confraternity of Our Lady of Mount Carmel</b> in Valletta engaged artists and carpenters to create the Christmas atmosphere by erecting <i>prospettive di Natale</i> as well as a crib. This was certainly happening in 1659 and possibly earlier. The crib was clearly a central attraction which was illuminated with <i>cinque lampe d'oglio. </i>This Confraternity also held the <i>Quarant'ore del Santissimo Natale</i> in the oratory, spread out over 3 days. A number of musicians were regularly engaged during these devotions. </p><p> In 1676 we find that the Confraternity paid the substantial sum of 8 <i>scudi,</i> to their artist <i>Gio Baptista il pintore </i>for costructing their Christmas crib (<i>presepio</i>). This was Giovanni Battista Calloriti (1638-1718) who was part of Mattia Preti's <i>bottega </i>and was at the time also doing other works for the confrternity <span style="font-size: x-small;">(ACMC, Accounts book 1667-1689 f.4).</span> </p><p><i>Il-Fratellanza tal-Madonna tal-Karmnu tal-Belt kienu jqabbdu artisti biex jagħmlulhom il 'Prospettive' u l-presepju, kif nafu li kien qed jiġri fl-1659, u forsi anki qabel din id-data. Hawnhekk ukoll kienu jagħmlu l-</i>Quarant'ore <i>bil-mużika u jixgħelu l-presepju b'ħames lampi taż-żejt. Fl-1676 kienu qabbdu lil pittur Giovanni Battista Calloriti, mill-bottega ta' Mattia Preti, biex jagħmlilhom il-presepju.</i> </p><p><b>In Private homes - cribs and <i>bambini </i></b></p><p>At the same time, a search through inventories shows that there were families who owned their own cribs and also had wax figures of the child Jesus under glass domes in their homes. </p><p>In an inventory of 1689 we are told that the late Aloysio Marsan had 3 wax bambini with their glass domes (<i>3 bambini di cera con il loro vetro)</i> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(NAM, MCC, Inv. Heredit. 1673-1691 f.875v)</span></p><p>In another inventory of the late Baldassare Belfiore (1712) we see that he had <i>un bambino grande</i> as well as 4 <i>bambini piccoli con vetro di Venetia</i>. Belfiore furthermore owned a <i>presepio</i> behind thick glass with <i>pastori di S Giuseppe e la Vergine grandi di rilievo</i> (<span style="font-size: x-small;">NAV, Not Jos. Callus, R126 (25), 1712, f.502v)</span></p><p>In 1752, in the inventory of the late Marchese Gio: Pio di Piro we find <i>due piccoli bambini</i> and <i>una cassa di bambini senza vetri. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(</span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;">AdeP, A19)</span></p><p><span><i>Fid-djar Maltin, fl-istess perjodu insibu li kien hemm min kellu bambini tax-xemgha kif ukoll presepji.</i></span></p><p><span><i>Fl-1689 Aloysio Marsan kellu 3 bambini tax-xemgħa taħt il-bozza tal-ħġieġ.</i></span></p><p><span><i>Ieħor, Baldassare Belfiore, fl'1712 kellu bambin kbir u 4 bambini zgħar taħt il-ħġieġ (bozza) ta' Venezia. Dan kellu ukoll presepju bil-pasturi kbar ta' San Guzepp u l-Madonna wara/taħt ħġieġ oħxon.</i></span></p><p><span><i>Fl-1752 il- Markiz Gio. Pio Di Piro kellu 4 bambini zgħar u kaxxa bambini mingħajr il-ħġieġ</i></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64dHS1Jr4iGbUU3sbzVmS9FnrdxxxxaKNUekhuyOkfLLmsjmO3SQPzYayXnPNG9fr8iTKUE4AUKZ3wIUSA-52MGZLIBpB0NC_ekBm_pK-18BrfR4DVXHr_hYiiGYDvIdd0lf1Yk7r6CemRwcD8lnOBPkG2Elq3Kh_joybs5u9XMrS6CyMv2Asq8CF0Q/s2048/IMG-20221218-WA0015.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg64dHS1Jr4iGbUU3sbzVmS9FnrdxxxxaKNUekhuyOkfLLmsjmO3SQPzYayXnPNG9fr8iTKUE4AUKZ3wIUSA-52MGZLIBpB0NC_ekBm_pK-18BrfR4DVXHr_hYiiGYDvIdd0lf1Yk7r6CemRwcD8lnOBPkG2Elq3Kh_joybs5u9XMrS6CyMv2Asq8CF0Q/s320/IMG-20221218-WA0015.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtO3VFaPcLTSbspthuT-6YWaiNLM-vcCNi31OYKib8Z6tWpTBGqwVY7krtAQUeVjpNrNOE1rDzqUtTYnMakxox8WZO5Sy2J2qap8Isw2Dzg9nhEOu-XAsTM0RYx5POKYTTZI6eo8X6WYLbWIKiuF9XlUeD0_5g2Z_GCZzJsYDGyuA5USGd1uhSy4i83w/s2048/IMG-20221218-WA0014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtO3VFaPcLTSbspthuT-6YWaiNLM-vcCNi31OYKib8Z6tWpTBGqwVY7krtAQUeVjpNrNOE1rDzqUtTYnMakxox8WZO5Sy2J2qap8Isw2Dzg9nhEOu-XAsTM0RYx5POKYTTZI6eo8X6WYLbWIKiuF9XlUeD0_5g2Z_GCZzJsYDGyuA5USGd1uhSy4i83w/s320/IMG-20221218-WA0014.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzuuO0q94UC8la2yOYVGPuLcmjhUZCBO35YDvjPDlV_sxAg-qa6EIg5uIPDNBZKBc1D0d0mcqQMbYvmx1LLayFHTQK2NUzSvVLRhsaQkacwu1pHgeqiSsYL3Ph_nrEgu-SEfXH6loQTykywVaun6XvLEdZpPBij85KI0q-TbJXISeQOCKxKw4HvJZ-A/s2048/IMG-20221218-WA0012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzuuO0q94UC8la2yOYVGPuLcmjhUZCBO35YDvjPDlV_sxAg-qa6EIg5uIPDNBZKBc1D0d0mcqQMbYvmx1LLayFHTQK2NUzSvVLRhsaQkacwu1pHgeqiSsYL3Ph_nrEgu-SEfXH6loQTykywVaun6XvLEdZpPBij85KI0q-TbJXISeQOCKxKw4HvJZ-A/s320/IMG-20221218-WA0012.jpg" width="240" /></a> <i>Bambini.</i> Private Collection</div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p></p>Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-16237733373666083762022-09-16T17:02:00.002+02:002022-09-20T15:18:56.384+02:00The Queen in Malta - 1954<p>This is an appropriate time to recall a particular concert in honour of the Queen on her visit to Malta in 1954.</p><p>The Societa' Filarmonica Nazionale <i><b>La Valette</b> </i>put up a special programme to<i> </i>welcome Queen Elizabeth II. The concert dated 3rd May 1954, under the baton of Maestro Giuseppe Camilleri, took place in Piazza Regina, Valletta at 7.00pm. On the front cover of the programme is a photo of the young Queen. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuihc8Wbq4r-web2ncgkeFDz8_Ybn9iVk20-pFpuvbnVDQVWEhnQWSIDWdHc_jYidcRS5IHvcCpGulJSZpr4rIbUFocj9bT_mTfx10dxJoncVhGu8zsAqwV8ujSJg4axSMYpJ4YQnHroOa_FVjz7bCNIgb1dXU_xC0u4IDn1kfiqlm4e5VUXvwv8D3Q/s4000/QUEEN.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2914" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuihc8Wbq4r-web2ncgkeFDz8_Ybn9iVk20-pFpuvbnVDQVWEhnQWSIDWdHc_jYidcRS5IHvcCpGulJSZpr4rIbUFocj9bT_mTfx10dxJoncVhGu8zsAqwV8ujSJg4axSMYpJ4YQnHroOa_FVjz7bCNIgb1dXU_xC0u4IDn1kfiqlm4e5VUXvwv8D3Q/s320/QUEEN.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><br /><p>The choice of pieces played is very interesting. After <i>God save the Queen,</i> the first piece was that by <b>Alessandro Vessella</b> (1860-1929), a Rhapsody entitled <i>Britannia. </i>Alessandro Vessella, an Italian born in Campania, was a well respected composer, director and teacher. He taught composition for bands in the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, and was author of educational works such as <i>Studi di Strumentazione per Banda</i>. He directed several Bands and travelled with them not only all over Italy, but also to Germany (1894) and England (1903). </p><p>A note in the programme says that <i>Britannia '</i>was dedcated to H.M. King Edward VII and performed for the first time in England in the Hall of St George, Windsor Castle, in the presence of the Royal Family on the 15th of June 1903, by the Municipal Band of Rome under the baton of the composer'. </p><p>In 1922 Vessella was in Malta organising and directing the <i>La Valette</i> Band between 16 May and 20 June (See <i>Treccani</i> sv Alessandro Vessella). This choice of the Rhapsody <i>Britannia</i> therefore was not only one dedicated to a British monarch but also recalls the presence of Vessella as leader of the <i>La Valette</i> Band. The Band was clearly proud of him as Mro Vincenzo Ciappara, a later bandmaster, also thought fit to write a March in memory of Vessella.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfETIukOsH5UGk2uLQR82v9cGUlWRQD1fyYzmikKwGP-uh12CgRwH_uGhP3Wy5ijdOWWlthn0z5SZ1Eexw0LcS7ygYA8fQcM5drwIkpZOPgjsQ2z0ayrI1Xcx6D6s_XN0H2khYxnOPSf_wcLglY15MocSUD_X5-DC15kxDYBip58pySUF0m-Cx87Burw/s3914/1663338490909.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3914" data-original-width="2693" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfETIukOsH5UGk2uLQR82v9cGUlWRQD1fyYzmikKwGP-uh12CgRwH_uGhP3Wy5ijdOWWlthn0z5SZ1Eexw0LcS7ygYA8fQcM5drwIkpZOPgjsQ2z0ayrI1Xcx6D6s_XN0H2khYxnOPSf_wcLglY15MocSUD_X5-DC15kxDYBip58pySUF0m-Cx87Burw/s320/1663338490909.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Another noteworthy piece presented on this occasion is that by Maestro <b>Giuseppe Camilleri </b>(1903-1976), who was at the time director of the Banda <i>La Valette.</i> He composed a piece for the occasion - <i>Invocation </i>dedicted specifically to H.M. Queen Elizabeth II. This included a chorus sung by the girls from the Royal Naval School of Tal-Handaq, girls from the Government Seondary school of Valletta, and members of the Hamrun Parish Choir. Guseppe Camilleri was bandmaster of <i>La Valette</i> between 1937 and 1968.</p><p>The poem 'Invocation' was written by poet and author <b>George Zammit </b>(1908-1990). Giuseppe Camilleri and George Zammit collaborated in other works, among which a three act opera <i>Monna Bianca </i>(1936) for which George Zammit wrote the libretto in Italian. (see Joseph Vella Bondin, <i>The Great Maltese Composers</i> pp.668-670)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfkAzlOflr4coyRKkN_1SNEMoyeQZvHzC5eVvnDdI2zyI4XtQAb2TLsGS2sPVJ4G0IIfdydcv59pWZuvPVJZI-a--S2Ulk4buvQoeWrt-DKqHP8fF_rZsS0QYtvH_SH4P7nitWYWnp1Btlovr27Lg6OM2pt5GcL0EzXKKiO2TMio80oeHeYDBHsHEYw/s4000/1663161530049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfkAzlOflr4coyRKkN_1SNEMoyeQZvHzC5eVvnDdI2zyI4XtQAb2TLsGS2sPVJ4G0IIfdydcv59pWZuvPVJZI-a--S2Ulk4buvQoeWrt-DKqHP8fF_rZsS0QYtvH_SH4P7nitWYWnp1Btlovr27Lg6OM2pt5GcL0EzXKKiO2TMio80oeHeYDBHsHEYw/s320/1663161530049.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Puccini, Verdi, Wagner.... But notice also the insertion of the 'Papal Hymn' before the 'Innu Malti' - a not so sublte reminder of Malta's catholicism!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-46538097948935883142022-05-05T23:10:00.001+02:002022-05-06T08:04:43.209+02:00CUQLAJTA <p>From my own collection, this is yet another of the many instruments used in Malta instead of bells during Holy Week. Here we have a ratchet with two cog wheels inside a largish wooden resonating box. When manually turning the external handle the two cogs scrape against each other. This instrument is very likely to have once had another purpose but was later being used in a chapel as a <i>ċuqlajta. </i></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccixb2YXFlVM500fQn4P87Jt15jO6Z0vE48pvR6Bt_9biBywrJQMUxvQ1sbz8Rx79kHY0Agqm4GHVIqPKvTVZF8dt2Q2y-9JmBHKULYeVptjN9-mThJSvAu43I2R1jgdik-qAY8-qwdyJn_EVUN19j1fdGB-T6hf2XKvQGU8--iACtE8XLukG-6Kwvg/s4573/Ratchet%20download.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4044" data-original-width="4573" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccixb2YXFlVM500fQn4P87Jt15jO6Z0vE48pvR6Bt_9biBywrJQMUxvQ1sbz8Rx79kHY0Agqm4GHVIqPKvTVZF8dt2Q2y-9JmBHKULYeVptjN9-mThJSvAu43I2R1jgdik-qAY8-qwdyJn_EVUN19j1fdGB-T6hf2XKvQGU8--iACtE8XLukG-6Kwvg/s320/Ratchet%20download.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzTEYU0vEe-oRsUEjdbmKESpNRsaLoCVGar4-neGqjiDFr67OuFtQzhmPqWR2G2rpD96oHm5MoqMdHKKpKO5A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A smaller ratchet inside a resonating box is to be found in the Naxxar parish. This however, has a faceted cylinder with protruding teeth. It likewise has an external handle that rotates the cylinder. Birkirkara parish also has a similar small boxed ratchet with an external handle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Since I saw these several years ago, I just hope that the ratchets are still well preserved in the parishes I mention!</div></div><div><br /></div>Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-46538428685048066792021-10-28T23:15:00.004+02:002021-11-08T21:35:29.473+01:00<p> <b>CARMEN - Georges BIZET</b></p><p><i>Carmen, </i>Bizet's four-act Opera,<i> </i>was based on the novel by Prosper Merimee (1803-1870) with a French libretto by Henri Meilhac (1831-1897) and Ludovic Halevy (1834-1908). It was premiered on <b>3 March 1875</b> at the Opera Comique in Paris and first performed in the Real Teatro in Malta on <b>14 March 1881.</b> </p><p>Bizet scored the main role of his opera for mezzo-soprano. Interestingly it was first performed in Malta by Ida Cristino who was a soprano. Not surprisingly, the opera was in Italian translation rather than in French. Apart from this being an Italian cast, few people in the audience would have understood French and all were familiar with the Italian language. </p><p>The two libretti printed in Malta, both undated, probably date from the 1880s. One is in English, the other in Italian. This catered for the British audience, as well as the Maltese who for the most part prided themselves on their Italian culture. </p><p>Maltese synopsis, translations of operas, and even plays based on the subject also began to appear with the production of each opera. The Maltese people of different strata of society thereby also became familiar with opera.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLDhXd-WRivJQ_LyxyExjJ-xMA3kfql6FfeWEY-O3G_unA5otJnhfkG_mV89TSirosTRr54AeoyonzVrGRWfyf8IucynnWvYts2tV3wiVwDTjL6NcyuVqIiz-0G8YRsCB45zoaszq_hRA/s2048/CARMEN+watermarked.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1437" data-original-width="2048" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLDhXd-WRivJQ_LyxyExjJ-xMA3kfql6FfeWEY-O3G_unA5otJnhfkG_mV89TSirosTRr54AeoyonzVrGRWfyf8IucynnWvYts2tV3wiVwDTjL6NcyuVqIiz-0G8YRsCB45zoaszq_hRA/w400-h281/CARMEN+watermarked.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I wish to add a link to a project and publication that traces the performances of <i>Carmen</i> around the world and explores the ways each was adapted to cater for its own audience. Makes interesting reading! </p><p><a href="https://carmenabroad.org/">Carmen Abroad – The when and where of Carmen performances, 1875-1945</a></p><p>Curators: Clair Rowden, Richard Langham Smith.</p><p>You can also listen in to a discussion on the subject from the University of Southampton, on the 'Music at Southampton' Facebook page:</p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MusicAtSouthampton/videos/406229687523592">Facebook</a></p><p><br /></p><p>See Alfred G. Miceli, <i>L-Istorja tal-Opra f'Malta (1866-2000), </i>pp.66-67 </p>Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-90361020754285717302021-06-29T18:48:00.001+02:002021-07-28T18:30:29.129+02:00<p> MUSIC IN MALTA from Prehistory to Vinyl - FPM EXHIBITION 2019</p><p>Years of work went into this Exhibition but it only lasted for a short two months. The instruments - some very special, others unusual or unexpected - were exhibited under one roof in the Mdina Cathedral Museum. They came together from different collections, both public and private. The large number coming from private collections are not likely to be seen together again. I have no doubt that Malta would do well to have its own Music Museum. This is dream that I hope will become a reality!</p><p><a href="https://www.patrimonju.org/exhibitions/music-in-malta">FPM | Exhibitions | Music in Malta FROM PREHISTORY TO VINYL (patrimonju.org)</a></p><p><a href="https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/tracing-the-history-of-music-in-malta.707425">Tracing the history of music in Malta (timesofmalta.com)</a></p><p><br /></p>Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-77228361231457265832021-04-28T00:02:00.002+02:002023-03-29T22:42:41.005+02:00<p> The ORPHEUM THEATRE in Gzira</p><p>Designed in 1932, the ORPHEUM THEATRE was originally a cinema as well as a theatre. Dramatic and operatic performances were put up featuring some of the most famous figures of the time. Following the bombing of the Royal Opera House in WW2, this theatre gained importance.</p><p>On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November <b>1949 </b>there were two evenings of Recitals with the Orchestra Valente opening each half of the programme. On these memorable evenings <b>TITO GOBBI</b>'s name was given prominence. He sang Handel's 'Lascia ch'io pianga' from <i>Rinaldo</i>, Mozart's 'Non piu andrai' from <i>Nozze di Figaro,</i> Rossini's 'Largo al Factotum' from <i>Il Barbiere</i>, as well as Tchaikovsky, Tosti, Verdi and Giordano. However, on the same evenings, the Maltese tenor <b>ORESTE KIRKOP</b> was also singing Verdi's 'La donna e mobile' from <i>Rigoletto, </i> 'Che gelida manina' from <i>La Boheme </i>as well as De Curtis and Giordano. Together Tito Gobbi and Oreste Kirkop sang a duet from Act IV of Puccini's <i>La Boheme</i><i>. </i> The soprano <b>ALICE TONNA</b> also had her moment with Tito Gobbi, singing the duet from Act II of Verdi's <i>La Traviata. </i>What an evening it must have been for those who attended!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJutmfcRJQ4DNVfQuKlry0Ab8c7G_E9-H4a1LrJD6TgNZPcLCKw0UROOjlZQPg5uiWgkElziIS1wtjrRsPc6PgDRGxVePbCTwajGbhZFJ0Rh9neMizOuGGKgY1P0eu_N1J7uQQEpFePLf/s2048/Orpheum+1949.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1458" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJutmfcRJQ4DNVfQuKlry0Ab8c7G_E9-H4a1LrJD6TgNZPcLCKw0UROOjlZQPg5uiWgkElziIS1wtjrRsPc6PgDRGxVePbCTwajGbhZFJ0Rh9neMizOuGGKgY1P0eu_N1J7uQQEpFePLf/s320/Orpheum+1949.png" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-25325247137157522222020-06-29T17:25:00.010+02:002022-06-21T22:42:18.288+02:00L-IMNARJA<b>L-IMNARJA</b> - Feast of Saints Peter and Paul - 29th June<br />
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This year COVID has deprived us of all public gatherings, including the celebration of the feast I always look forward to so much - L-IMNARJA. This is a distortion of the word 'Illuminaria' because the Mdina cathedral and surroundings were traditionally illuminated with an impressive number of candles and <i>fjakkoli </i>on the eve of the feast.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJs6mwoB-CknoOMKKhzRmnE9h1v6ynHGSIErpFDzHRMs26WbT-QPMFJp7uALqOcELA7tPJYP8VxdaKzzPtcOTLr8Gf2HFw5_Y32CQLnw02eFWGr4NeUe2jsFpAeHfWmbRi4vszlKM_LcwV/s320/download.png" /> <span style="text-align: center;"><i>Postcard - Verdala Palace and Boschetto, Apel.</i></span><br />
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This celebration usually started on the 28th of June, when people gathered in the gardens of Buskett, the little forestation created by the Grandmasters of the Order of St John. There they sang the night away, feasting on rabbit and drinking wine. This is one of the occasions when folk singing known as <i>għana</i> can still be heard to the accompaniment of guitars.</div>
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As from 1857, through the initiative of Governor William Reid, the festivity also came to be associated with an exhibition of animals and agricultural products, for which prizes were awarded for the best exhibits. The <i>Societa Agricola, </i>established in 1844 with the intention of encouraging the farming communities, organised this event and continues to do so. </div>
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The following morning a Mass in the Mdina Cathedral celebrated the feast of Saints Peter and Paul followed by a procession. </div>
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Rari li tissemma l-kitba ta' Dun Ġużepp Farrugia fuq id-drawwiet tal-Maltin. Fl-1909, Dun Gużepp kiteb fuq il-festi tagħna u d-drawwiet marbutin magħhom fil-<i>Mogħdija taz-Zmien</i> nru 85, serje ta' kotba li kien jippublika Alfonsu Maria Galea. Għalhekk għażilt li nieħu żewġ siltiet fuq il-festa tal-Imnarja minn din il-kitba intitolata <i>Id-Drauujiet tal Maltin </i>ta' Dun Ġużepp. L-ortografija hija dik li kienet tintuża fl-1909 li dak iz-zmien kienet għadha ma kenitx 'standard'.</div>
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Wara l-Purċissjoni:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeBiBhyphenhyphenXbJccwMHDr26Ih8ulqB17mKlWSbIuKSZMkvk-AegYbDLFLCnyKqwIbJSr8-xn8w_D8b4Tx9X5vILbpkRc5Tr5INLIdrPg3u2S812FRA7KjHnD5TsnWsT3yvFagKuDIZq2iLxUT/s3403/IMG_9104.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2583" data-original-width="3403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVeBiBhyphenhyphenXbJccwMHDr26Ih8ulqB17mKlWSbIuKSZMkvk-AegYbDLFLCnyKqwIbJSr8-xn8w_D8b4Tx9X5vILbpkRc5Tr5INLIdrPg3u2S812FRA7KjHnD5TsnWsT3yvFagKuDIZq2iLxUT/s320/IMG_9104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>U biex nisimgħu ftit għana spirtu pront mill-aqwa - Karmnu Xuereb <i>In-Namru</i> jgħanni ma' Fredu Abela <i>l-Bamboċċu</i> u Toni Fenech <i>ta' Scalambja, </i>kif kienu jħobbu jagħmlu l-għannejja fl-Imnarja.</div><div><br /></div><div>And here is one of my favourite għannejja - Karmnu Xuereb <i>In-Namru,</i> together with Fredu Abela <i>il-Bamboccu,</i> and Toni Fenech <i>ta' Scalambja</i>, providing improvised entertainment as <i>għannejja</i> would have done in Mnarja.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSBPvh1lTxA&list=RDKSBPvh1lTxA&start_radio=1">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSBPvh1lTxA&list=RDKSBPvh1lTxA&start_radio=1</a><br />
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Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-24786095444514558442020-06-27T15:30:00.001+02:002020-06-27T15:30:49.646+02:00Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-72372904170561265232020-05-02T19:00:00.001+02:002020-05-02T23:06:26.187+02:00Pas de Quatre - Faust Up To Date <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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YG. 2/18 - <b>Pas de Quatre </b>- <br />
<i>The enormously successful dance </i><br />
<i>From the Opera Burlesque</i><br />
<b>Faust Up To Date</b><br />
[Wilhelm] Meyer Lutz<br />
[1829-1903]<br />
Piano solo<br />
E. Ascherberg & Co.,<br />
46 Berners Street, Oxford Street,<br />
London<br />
s.d. [1888]<br />
4pp<br />
4/-<br />
lithographed<br />
E A & Co 364<br />
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This sheet music with a very attractive cover was sold locally at the outlet MUSIC DEPOT, 40 Strada Mezzodi, Valletta. This was the piano solo arrangement of the dance music in the Opera Burlesque 'Faust Up To Date' by the German composer <b>Wilhelm Meyer Lutz </b>who early in life moved to London. The dance was apparently an 'enormous success'. So much so that the young ladies who danced it are also mentioned by name on the sheet music cover. Riding the wave of this music's popularity and that of its dancers, the composer made arrangements of it for Full Orchestra, Septet, Military Band and also Brass Band. Composers often exploited the popularity of their own music by producing different arrangements thereby making it accessible to a far wider public.<br />
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The Burlesque Opera 'Faust Up To Date' was written as a spoof of Gounod's Faust, and was first performed at the Gaiety Theatre in London on 30 October 1888.<br />
<br />Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-72462589571979249292020-04-15T14:43:00.001+02:002020-06-26T21:49:57.601+02:00FEAST OF ST GREGORY<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"><b>The feast of St Gregory</b> was not always celebrated as we know it today on the first Wednesday after Easter. It originally took place annually
with a long procession on 12 March, in which litanies of the saints and hymns
were sung (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mikiel Fsadni <i>Id-Dumnikani fir-Rabat, </i>1974 p.258)</span>. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;"> It
took the form of a votive pilgrimage</span><span lang="MT" style="line-height: 150%;"> that according to Prof Stanley Fiorini may have originated as far back as the Black Death of 1360 which also visited Malta, as we know from documents in the Vatican. (<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Stanley
Fiorini, “The South East of Malta and its Defence up to 1614” in <i>The Turkish Raid of 1614</i> , ed. Ruben
Abela (Malta: Wirt iż-Żejtun no. 68, 2014), 86.</span> </span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="MT" style="line-height: 150%;">The procession </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 150%;">commenced in Mdina with the participation of all the
dignitaries, clergy and confraternities and slowly made its way across the
island towards Żejtun in the south, with other clergy, confraternities and
faithful joining in along the way .</span> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">This occasion is registered every year in
the Mdina cathedral documents of the seventeenth century with the
comment ‘this year the usual procession of Pope St Gregory to Żejtun took
place’ or simply ‘the usual votive procession.’</span><span lang="EN-GB"> The cathedral records also show that a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">spinetta</i> or a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">regaletto</i> was
carried and played through at least a part of the procession as far as the
chapel of the Annunciation. Surviving anonymous St Gregory processional music from 1719 includes motets for SAT voices accompanied by 2 violins and organ <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(ACM, Ms 151A, Ms 579).</span> <span style="color: #000120; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;">Stringed instruments<u> </u></span></span><span lang="EN-GB">are very likely to have already been in use in
earlier processions of St Gregory since these instrumentalists were in regular employment with the cathedral and their instruments were easy to carry</span><span lang="EN-GB">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also associated with this feast, after the procession, is the folk merrymaking down by the seaside in nearby Marsaxlokk. This is where folk singing known as<i> għana</i> and guitar playing was always very popular.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">This year the much-loved procession could not take place in its usual form owing to Covid 19 restrictions of gatherings. This is therefore the drastically-reduced procession led by the Archbishop that did take place through the empty roads, as seen in Zejtun (photos courtesy Not. J.H. Saydon 15.4.2020). A forlorn scene never witnessed within our lifetime. Litanies invoking the Saints were recited with particular reference to petitioning the Lord to save us from this present crisis.</span></span><br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-42673938003141502032020-03-03T18:10:00.002+01:002021-01-04T12:36:49.136+01:00Illum sibt intervista li għamilt snin ilu fuq <b>Għanjiet Antiki Maltin.</b> Jidhirli li kienu studenti tal-Malti li kienu qed jagħmlu l-intervista. Nirringrazzjom mill ġdid. Nitkellem fuq Saint Priest, Gustave Parthey, G.P Badger u l-isqalli Favara.<br />
Ipprovajt intellagħha imma ma rnexxilix.<br />
Izda f'dan l-artiklu nitkellem fuq l-istess suġġett.<br />
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<strong>‘Tliet għanjiet antiki Maltin’</strong> [Three old quatrains]<strong> </strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">L-Imnara</i> no. 27 (2003) 72-75.</div>
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https://www.academia.edu/10315595/Tliet_Ghanjiet_Antiki_Maltin</div>
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<br />Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-90730266268879619252019-05-22T12:01:00.001+02:002019-05-22T13:39:29.556+02:00Maltese Recordings<b>Early Maltese Recordings 1930-32</b><br />
The three great names associated with Malta's early recordings were:<br />
1. Fortunato Habib (Polyphon label)<br />
2. Antonio D'Amato (HMV, Zonophone)<br />
3. P. Carabott (Odeon, Pathe)<br />
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These first recordings on shellac records captured the various facets of Malta's music scene in the early 1930s. D'Amato re-released several of his own early recordings again in the 1960s on Vinyl records (45s) and then also on cassette tapes.<br />
The <i>Ghanja bejn tnejn,</i> for example, was first recorded in Milan on shellac records by the renowned <b>Manuel Cilia <i>ta' Zabbett</i> </b>and <b>Karmnu Cardona <i>it-tapp</i>,</b> but was re-released in 1964 on a 45rpm blue label.<br />
Several ballads of Manuel Cilia were also re-released on 45s and cassettes - such as Arturo u Maria, Genoveffa, Toni Bajada, Lucia ta' Lammermur….<br />
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It may come as a surprise that the young <b>Carmelo Pace, </b>aged 24, was also among the first to record in the 1930s. However, these were not what we came to associate with Pace's works and I believe they are not included in his extensive catalogue of works (<i>Carmelo Pace - A Maltese composer</i>, Marcel De Gabriele and Georgette Caffari, 1991). At this early stage Pace was composing light music, dance music and songs for singers such as the baritone <b>Watty Cachia</b> and tenor <b>A. Castelletti,</b> together with the <i><b>Carabott Orchestra</b></i> under the baton of <b>Mro Cirillo</b>. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Among these is 'Carnival', 'Nghannu lil kwiekeb', 'Rivali ta Imhabba' and 'Stedina ghas-sfin'. </span><br />
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At this point, the young composer was in close contact with the <i>ghannejja </i>and guitarists<i> </i>who were recording at the same time. This must surely have had a strong impact on Pace who was composing his <i>Maltesina</i> in 1931. This was followed by other works with a Maltese flavour. The well loved <i>L-Imnarja </i>composed in 1960 was recorded on a 45 record, Maltadisk, in 1968 together with <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">the flip side 'Fejn it-tieqa tal-fanal', composed in 1963</span>. The record sleeve beautifully captures <i>ghannejja </i>and guitarists in action surrounded by attentive listeners.<br />
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<br />Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-6188142340211871472019-05-19T20:50:00.001+02:002019-05-22T12:02:47.472+02:00HORNPIPE/QRAJNAThis has been a very busy time for me curating the FPM exhibition 'Music in Malta from Prehistory to Vinyl.' You are still in time to visit up until the 16th June 2019, so don't miss it!<br />
The exhibition looks at the Mediterranean islands of Malta and Gozo situated right at the crossroads of all the movement, trade and cultural exchanges taking place from earliest of times and throughout their history. The Islands were absorbing influences from north and south, east and west, from the different cultures and religions surrounding and dominating them.<br />
Here is just one of Malta's folk instruments - the hornpipe - that shows influences/similarities with North Africa.<br />
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LEFT - Maltese <b><i>Qrajna</i></b> or <i><b>Saqqafa b'wahda</b></i><br />
Arundo donax (<i>qasab</i>) down-cut single reed (<i>bedbut)</i><br />
Arundo donax pipe (<i>qima</i>) with 5 fingerholes<br />
serrated bull horn (<i>qarn</i>)<br />
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RIGHT - Tunisian <i><b>Zukra/Maqrouna</b></i><br />
Arundo donax down-cut single reed<br />
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Arundo donax pipe with 5 fingerholes </div>
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horn<br />
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F'dan l-instrument maghruf hawn Malta bhala '<b>Qrajna</b>' jew 'Saqqafa b'wahda' naraw l-importanza li tinghata lill-qarn. F'xi bnadi tal-Afrika ta' Fuq insibu l-istess emfasi fuq il-qarn, fejn l-istrument jissejjah '<b>Maqrouna</b>'. Il-partijiet tal-qasab donnhom mizjudin mal-qarn u mhux il-kuntrarju.<br />
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Il-qarn jitqies protettiv, mhux hawn Malta biss, imma f'hafna inhawi. Hawn Malta nafu kemm missirijietna kienu jemmnu fil-protezzjoni mill-ghajn. Il-qarn - jew par qrun - kellhom is-setgha li jwarrbu jew ixejjnu kull hazen u periklu. Dan il-hsieb konness mal-qarn johodna lura sew fiz-zmien. Insibuh, per ezempju, fil-kult ta' Cybele fil-Grecja u n-naha tat-Turkija fiz-zmien ta' qabel Kristu.<br />
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Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-60702816883554449632018-12-24T16:10:00.001+01:002018-12-24T23:30:14.104+01:00Maltese Bagpiper playing Iz-Zaqq<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXze_uPUZlqLcI5szNRik0-WAo1g5CqCza8KGc-WrMs82V1P7cpWxVeri0QeVYmiy3jlXLLNIy6XzGEeZLibLNHTjVuhbQVHee0o_XrS7qeVWur1aj1F0mypldpwQfIaPE9O5NVZxmkVp-/s1600/piper+1.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXze_uPUZlqLcI5szNRik0-WAo1g5CqCza8KGc-WrMs82V1P7cpWxVeri0QeVYmiy3jlXLLNIy6XzGEeZLibLNHTjVuhbQVHee0o_XrS7qeVWur1aj1F0mypldpwQfIaPE9O5NVZxmkVp-/s320/piper+1.png" width="224" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcyvbnNwb98LtGzcnQNCyqP3PTD2sOyZaiD9PvIFCkSGw-Ranm7zPZTpw7Bl0JvOcHKS8K1KL_6hRynKaBcMu8974JOkBsQz5gch_OYMrCvENe_UnNw9AZxm6tvTjJfCaUC7PLV-fZxPS/s1600/Piper+2.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcyvbnNwb98LtGzcnQNCyqP3PTD2sOyZaiD9PvIFCkSGw-Ranm7zPZTpw7Bl0JvOcHKS8K1KL_6hRynKaBcMu8974JOkBsQz5gch_OYMrCvENe_UnNw9AZxm6tvTjJfCaUC7PLV-fZxPS/s320/Piper+2.png" width="207" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3jnHxQLHupOcDaua-cut1phYuvUQq95jzHUKUxfqPnvZqQNPRkb-UjCYID1fs3qronfI_HATd3kL1x2KKGnLVl4xLvoYPBJGna47myJBx0nxePL7F6dys2RAB4-hmI8508RMIjAL4D5I/s1600/piper+3.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3jnHxQLHupOcDaua-cut1phYuvUQq95jzHUKUxfqPnvZqQNPRkb-UjCYID1fs3qronfI_HATd3kL1x2KKGnLVl4xLvoYPBJGna47myJBx0nxePL7F6dys2RAB4-hmI8508RMIjAL4D5I/s320/piper+3.png" width="153" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;">The Maltese Bagpipe</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;">, known as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">i</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;">ż</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;">-</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;">ż</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;">aqq,</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">is
traditionally associated with Christmas time when pipers often accompanied by a tambourine player, roamed the streets
playing pastoral melodies. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;">T</span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;">he <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>ż</i></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><i>aqq </i><span lang="EN-GB" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "quot"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">is a rare instrument of its kind. The </span></span>bag with
fur on the outside includes all four legs and tail. The double pipe chanter (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">saqqafa</i>) is inserted into the neck of
the animal skin and terminates in a bull horn. The bag is usually made of goa
skin or that of a prematurely aborted calf. Previously dogskin was also used
and occasionally even a large cat. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">This large
clay figure was originally made for a Christmas crib and traditionally the
bagpiper is seen playing to the Child Jesus. Though several of these bagpiper figures
were made over the years, not many are found holding a Maltese zaqq. This late 19<sup>th</sup>
century figure in biblical clothing is in motion holding a Maltese version of
the bagpipe held beneath the right arm, with all four legs pointing upwards. He
is<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>blowing into the blowpipe (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">l-imserka</i>) which was usually made of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Arundo donax</i> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">qasab</i>) as also was the chanter. Fingerholes,<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>which are not visible here, were 5 on the
left and 1 on the right. The horn bell has unfortunately broken off. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Clay Figure –
26.5cm high</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">, </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>11 cm wide</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">on a square wooden base </span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "calibri";"></span>Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-70962832795985657182018-10-09T15:05:00.002+02:002018-10-10T14:43:34.120+02:00TOSCA Giacomo Puccini's opera TOSCA was based on a French melodramatic play <i>La Tosca </i>by Victorien SARDOU (1887). Puccini's libretto was by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. The opera was premiered in the Teatro Costanzi (later Teatro Reale dell' Opera) in Rome in 1900. Only three years later it was first performed in Malta, in March 1903.<br />
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That same year a Maltese version of Sardou's work by Guglielmo ARENA was published by Ganni Muscat (48 Strada Mercanti, Valletta) and was dedicated to the Theatre Impresario, Michel Ang Borg. This made the story of <i>Tosca</i> available to the general Maltese public that could not read Italian or French. The stories of operatic works were therefore filtering down to those who would not normally be financially able to attend the theatre. Some of these, such as Lucia di Lammermoor and Pia de Tolomei were then also created in sung folk versions, in what is known as <i>ghana tal-fatt.</i><br />
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Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-3092761914907214062018-09-25T16:21:00.001+02:002018-09-25T16:41:45.909+02:00Square footed drumSQUARE FOOTED DRUM<br />
LN.001<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">20cm x 20cm and 18cm high.</span><br />
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This month is 100 years from the birth of NELSON MANDELA, South African anti-apartheid activist (1918-2013). For this reason I thought I would post this instrument which is so much connected with him.<br />
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Made in Accompong Town in West Jamaica, this square drum celebrates Mandela's freedom in February 1990 after 27 years of imprisonment. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">In 1994 Mandela became the first black South African to be democratically elected President. </span><br />
'GUMBA MANDELA IS FREE AGAIN' is incised into one of its sides, and his ideals of 'LOVE AND UNITY' on another. The name 'George Hoggins' pricked into the wooden frame is presumably the maker of this instrument.<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoqf7cB_syvhQPNTGmoURfBhWRVQUDA7-_u0jbP0t6BoCP2joFl_qFGYOQti29KUAr3LOf4kMWFU8pyqGWNxyAPRRyHjyOYejZ81pM-jy5bLCkLbNpW8-NxSWeFdIFcfhszP33zLKbq58/s1600/footed+drum.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRoqf7cB_syvhQPNTGmoURfBhWRVQUDA7-_u0jbP0t6BoCP2joFl_qFGYOQti29KUAr3LOf4kMWFU8pyqGWNxyAPRRyHjyOYejZ81pM-jy5bLCkLbNpW8-NxSWeFdIFcfhszP33zLKbq58/s320/footed+drum.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExfvGpkYlTC_tWHNoMbYVWZDYyJqXZqmV2Pxr9FrqU1uVvJCdum6RM1hmR6hZVvyIHvBYbAJR8AuQgR4Oa0IPBwKfZwDady2dOhn25B8TFutJ2o9P32vIaHF6Gw9JZONphLzxbAwEW_KZ/s1600/gumba+mandela.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1419" data-original-width="1600" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExfvGpkYlTC_tWHNoMbYVWZDYyJqXZqmV2Pxr9FrqU1uVvJCdum6RM1hmR6hZVvyIHvBYbAJR8AuQgR4Oa0IPBwKfZwDady2dOhn25B8TFutJ2o9P32vIaHF6Gw9JZONphLzxbAwEW_KZ/s320/gumba+mandela.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-11418141672521176522018-09-04T14:18:00.000+02:002018-09-11T13:11:28.653+02:00GOURD SHAKER <a href="https://abcmusicmuseum.blogspot.com/2018/09/hand-carved-gourd-shaker.html">gourd shaker</a><br />
A hand-carved gourd shaker with seeds still inside. Lots of time and patience must have gone into this beautiful carving with such an intricate ink-stained design. A true labour of love. The incised Greek writing on it reads:<br />
ERGON (the work of)<br />
CHRISTODOUROU LAIOUTARI<br />
PANAGIA (Island of Thasos)<br />
and the date 15-6-70.<br />
Thanks due to AMIS member, Prof. Stephen Cottrell, for deciphering this.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYFABZXV2hXRKdvoSyBUtbb4LLRcqiAsySfzUjo1GTbumMi_i-F4HBAFibw7j2vELUun4NnSH50X3h6so7XXPcRNqMAsskbUoRUkbEa_OEkRJmermWYkljGgvZo_HXcHqRIxp86ZRF4s5/s1600/untitled+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFYFABZXV2hXRKdvoSyBUtbb4LLRcqiAsySfzUjo1GTbumMi_i-F4HBAFibw7j2vELUun4NnSH50X3h6so7XXPcRNqMAsskbUoRUkbEa_OEkRJmermWYkljGgvZo_HXcHqRIxp86ZRF4s5/s320/untitled+1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-70377830632520057372018-06-10T21:17:00.005+02:002018-06-10T21:45:26.175+02:00MIM, MALTA section, Phoenix, Arizona<b>Musical Instrument Museum (MIM),</b><br />
<b>Malta Section,</b><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8202830951178015029" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8202830951178015029" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8202830951178015029" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8202830951178015029" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8202830951178015029" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8202830951178015029" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b>Phoenix, Arizona</b><br />
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The MIM's ambition was to have a Museum that displayed instruments from all over the world. I was approached to provide the instruments, information and videos of the Malta exhibits. I am very proud to say that our little island is therefore included in the Museum which first opened in 2009. Here is a selection of photographs taken by my brother Mark and his wife Ellen. Below you will also find a link to just some of the amazing instruments in the Museum. Thanks Mark and Ellen!<br />
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video by Mark Zammit Maempel:<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/C-YTmBKFKMw" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: normal;">https://youtu.be/C-YTmBKFKMw</a></div>
Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-13331351556378066552018-04-27T23:13:00.003+02:002020-04-16T16:59:06.758+02:00NORMA - LibrettoNorma - Vincenzo Bellini<br />
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Bellini's opera NORMA was first produced at La Scala in Milan on 26th December <b>1831</b>. The first production in Malta was only three years later on the 15 November of <b>1834</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcCqHpR-wGDxHZvysDaw3D2zKRAxuahyphenhyphenHpDXjup_jFRXXf7f3qCc78aOQd8NllF5xXeUMUtuFFwk99xjClPm682NWKwfj3HUrbCh3fbzrPkDucY95t7at7GP9LiEVWAK0XGptqIAEQc1j/s1600/NORMA.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1186" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYcCqHpR-wGDxHZvysDaw3D2zKRAxuahyphenhyphenHpDXjup_jFRXXf7f3qCc78aOQd8NllF5xXeUMUtuFFwk99xjClPm682NWKwfj3HUrbCh3fbzrPkDucY95t7at7GP9LiEVWAK0XGptqIAEQc1j/s320/NORMA.png" width="237" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAYBA8Rn2Dc4dhdiGazsMgwKcAA5roSwqjco1snRyJDS-fWMa7b0b_iCpeN0Ln592vjepihU5ecHUbDo5uv_vV8qkg2fAdCx59AgLV5hQfClM_O9D2yzmot5-rrwD31LC1n-1f8GGkFML/s1600/Norma+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1004" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAYBA8Rn2Dc4dhdiGazsMgwKcAA5roSwqjco1snRyJDS-fWMa7b0b_iCpeN0Ln592vjepihU5ecHUbDo5uv_vV8qkg2fAdCx59AgLV5hQfClM_O9D2yzmot5-rrwD31LC1n-1f8GGkFML/s320/Norma+2.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">Though this libretto is undated, the same wrapper with its Ancient Egyptian motifs was probably first </span><span style="text-align: center;">used for the AIDA in the 1877-1878 season which saw the re opening of the Theatre Royal after it burnt down in 1873 (See Paul Xuereb, <i>The Maltese Opera Libretto</i> (MUP 2004): xix) </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Printed in Malta at 133 Strada Forni, this was the C. Busuttil printing house. Paul Xuereb notes that the same wrapper was reissued for the performance of AIDA in 1897-98. However, here we also find it used for Bellini's Norma.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">It has 61 pages of parallel Italian and English text. On the back cover is the cast list: POLLIONE - Sig. Luigi Longobardo, OROVESO - Sig. Giovanni Balisardi, NORMA - Sigra Ersilia Ancarani, ADALGISA - Signa Annita Torretta, CLOTILDE - Signa Candida de Franco, FLAVIO - Sig. Egidio Bacci. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Conductor of the Orchestra - Sig. ARTURO BOVI.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><span style="text-align: center;">I am providing a link to one of the most amazing voices ever, Maria Callas. Here she is singing the inimitable Casta Diva from Bellini's Norma.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-9IvuEkreI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-9IvuEkreI</a></span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-66692344512200574652017-02-17T14:51:00.000+01:002017-07-20T13:51:17.348+02:00Malta Carnival Programme, 1964What class! It was Emvin Cremona who designed this striking, brightly-coloured Programme for the Malta Carnival in 1964. Immediately evoking the fantasy of Carnival, a masked Arlecchino holding a long-necked lute is seated far up above the Malta rooftops, well detached from reality.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQLDC3DRjTuOmhHYAV7B3bBLdPrH1t2GmPz_IlznFRf-3PPlIkA3wtVbVnz0btIvfTw187s74c3JTSD2JljhZUaERLp2Cp-iNNYPx65O6hE9sFL6nvQzA1tUy5fkkjx-6K2XajjinBCwZ/s1600/Unknown.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQLDC3DRjTuOmhHYAV7B3bBLdPrH1t2GmPz_IlznFRf-3PPlIkA3wtVbVnz0btIvfTw187s74c3JTSD2JljhZUaERLp2Cp-iNNYPx65O6hE9sFL6nvQzA1tUy5fkkjx-6K2XajjinBCwZ/s320/Unknown.png" width="231" /></a></div>
Carnival that year was inaugurated on Saturday 8th February with the traditional 'Parata', a mock battle which took place every year, only in Carnival. 'The Parata' was performed in the afternoon in the Palace Square Enclosure to the accompaniment of Spiro's Orchestra. This dance had been taking place for hundreds of years. In 1791, the Count of Saint-Priest gave one of the most vivid descriptions of it in his <i>Malte par un Voyageur Francais.</i><br />
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The <b>Parata</b>, previously referred to as '<i><b>il Battito</b></i>' is well recorded in the eighteenth century in our Notarial Archives. In 1774, a party of men signed a contract whereby the participants bound themselves to turn up for all rehearsals, to obey their instructor and to perform the 'battito della parata' during the Carnival period wherever necessary. One musician was also present for the contract. He had the responsibility of providing his own group of musicians and ensuring that they abide by the same strict rules.<br />
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For more details see Anna Borg Cardona, "The Carnival <i>Battitu</i> or <i>Parata</i> in the Eighteenth Century"<i>Treasures of Malta </i>No 62, (FPM, Easter 2015) 21-26.<br />
<br />Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-13116574365943349342016-06-11T17:26:00.001+02:002018-10-20T22:02:48.243+02:00Tito Gobbi - Il Barbiere di Siviglia - Largo al Factotum<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r981BmXzhPY" width="459"></iframe><br />
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Here is a historical recording of Tito Gobbi singing the famous <i>Largo al Factotum </i>from the<i> Barbiere</i> <i>di Siviglia</i> in 1946.<i></i><br />
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r981BmXzhPY<br />
<br />Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8202830951178015029.post-60965606210454088122016-06-11T16:04:00.000+02:002020-04-16T17:08:41.193+02:00IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA at the Royal Opera House<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniOFr3XRWVMLzaM5HcXsqnNIkAgPc15Ywn7YNbNf3tPqbj89SV4sBl_b7T3znTxlDiq9O5oXceTY0s14hbuvqYQT0nofcP8F9kJdhXLRwAqx08TgpeeZjuzecJb0jI4a8w31j02iKl622/s1600/IMG_4494.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniOFr3XRWVMLzaM5HcXsqnNIkAgPc15Ywn7YNbNf3tPqbj89SV4sBl_b7T3znTxlDiq9O5oXceTY0s14hbuvqYQT0nofcP8F9kJdhXLRwAqx08TgpeeZjuzecJb0jI4a8w31j02iKl622/s320/IMG_4494.JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhkKMTzp4VCnaY2V7g0PCoD9KUyNEZ8hV021Kp6NR_XZivOMphttIPvX2VqtxSqeT6d5T545GtMZc53oKrO87IPD_0fj-RqrOrilVO6o8lL8cal5n5ftYI3VeefnvNMrE_1ri-fybk4Na/s1600/IMG_4495.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhkKMTzp4VCnaY2V7g0PCoD9KUyNEZ8hV021Kp6NR_XZivOMphttIPvX2VqtxSqeT6d5T545GtMZc53oKrO87IPD_0fj-RqrOrilVO6o8lL8cal5n5ftYI3VeefnvNMrE_1ri-fybk4Na/s320/IMG_4495.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JIkgFBkY2AHduVoo9x275S8gewO8bGETfKHQECVAQGICpkkSBYRsaUxi1o5TEwDTB1I0WXLhlFPyt_6hbdjiNwGojcH81SWVVYCJDpnThmFxBXDz8dRzPcSTrqMTcG8Oc4OCrT38RcAR/s1600/IMG_4497.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5JIkgFBkY2AHduVoo9x275S8gewO8bGETfKHQECVAQGICpkkSBYRsaUxi1o5TEwDTB1I0WXLhlFPyt_6hbdjiNwGojcH81SWVVYCJDpnThmFxBXDz8dRzPcSTrqMTcG8Oc4OCrT38RcAR/s320/IMG_4497.JPG" width="224" /></a><br />
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In the Opera season of <b>1933-34</b>, the Royal Opera House in Valletta was in its heyday. One of the operas put up that year was the ever-popular <b>Barbiere di Siviglia</b>. Its first performance in Malta was in 1820, only four years after its premier in Rome in 1816. This year, 2016, we are celebrating 200 years since Gioacchino Rossini gifted us with this work. Malta loved it - and it was put up in almost every season.<br />
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In the 1933-34 season, the cast was Italian, with Figaro's role performed by Domenico Malatesta. Looking at the back of the programme, we find that costumes, scenery, furniture and wigs were a combined effort between Malta's Opera House and Milan, whilst printing of posters, programmes, circulars and tickets were all taking place in Malta.<br />
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The same small silver and dark blue programme was used, with a different insertion in the centre that included change of opera and cast. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQ4FHWdkhI20i9wrhsHderGgp8LJ9d3SAp-d9oWIpu0zBQub5tsOA7R71RnivFG5QUqS5u6P_B6KKea__O26IClD8_YJ0FziQ90NSWvDU3KKB17bywjVxzS73JpDTys9sTQmZvQ33NCvm/s1600/IMG_4488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQ4FHWdkhI20i9wrhsHderGgp8LJ9d3SAp-d9oWIpu0zBQub5tsOA7R71RnivFG5QUqS5u6P_B6KKea__O26IClD8_YJ0FziQ90NSWvDU3KKB17bywjVxzS73JpDTys9sTQmZvQ33NCvm/s320/IMG_4488.JPG" width="217" /></a></div>
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I am providing a link to a historical recording of Tito Gobbi singing the most famous <i>Largo al Factotum </i>in 1946. In November 1949 he was singing the same<i> Largo al Factotum</i> in Malta in the Orpheum Theatre.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r981BmXzhPY">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r981BmXzhPY</a><br />
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<br />Anna Borg Cardonahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05500369951574830204noreply@blogger.com