Teatru Manoel is dedicating a weekend to three exciting concerts from three of Malta's top bands; the King's Own (1st June) and La Valette (3rd June) which are both resident in Valletta and the Band of the Armed Forces of Malta (2nd June).
The music programme for each of the concert is eclectic and ranges from Rossini and Wagner to Elgar and Morriconi to Andrew Lloyd Webber and Maltese composers.
Each of the bands has an impressive history and following.
The King's Own Band was founded in 1874 by Maestro Guiseppe Borg and a number of enthusiasts of the feast of St Dominic in Valletta and immediately established itself as one of the leading band clubs on the island. Initially, the Band was given the title of "La Nazionale" and thereafter "La Nazionale Vincitrice". In 1885, the Committee requested the permission of Edward, Prince of Wales, to take up his name and the band became known as the "Prince of Wales Own" until 1901, when the Prince was crowned King Edward VII and his Majesty gave the Society his consent to take on the title "The King's Own Band" a name the band still enjoys till this very day.
The Band of the Armed Forces of Malta, which was formerly known as the Royal Malta Artillery Band (RMA Band), was established in the late 19th century (1890), though some historical facts found in the Malta Land Force Journal - January 1975 pg. 21, shows the existence of some form of a military ensemble forming part of the Royal Malta Fencible Regiment performing during the funeral cortege of the Marques of Hastings in December 1826.
Societa' Filarmonica Nazionale la Valette (La Valette Band) was founded by Pawlu Darmanin in 1874, and was originally set up to form a band to participate during the feast of St Paul in Valletta. Maestro Luigi Carabott held the role of the first band conductor, and the band club held its first public performance at the Manoel Theatre in May 1875. The first band march was then held in July of the same year, at the feast of our Lady of Mount Carmel. The band club won the award for International Band in 1927 in Italy. Former Prime Minister George Borg Oliver held the role of president for the club for 30 years, between 1950 and 1980.
The three concerts start at 8pm and take place at Teatru Manoel as follows: Friday 1st June: King's Own Band, Saturday 2nd June: Armed forces Band and Sunday 3rd June: La Valette Band. There is a discounted price for attending all three concerts. Tickets can be bought from www.teatrumanoel.com.mt , [email protected] or tel: 2124 6389.