Caravaggio the Musical - The Rise and Fall of a Tormented Genius is an original new musical which tells the tempestuous story of the Renaissance artist Michelangelo Merisi aka Caravaggio who achieved fame and notoriety for his chiaroscuro masterpieces and volatile personality. One of the most famous artists of all time, Caravaggio is best known for his painting The Beheading of St. John, housed at St. John's Co-Cathedral in the heart of Valletta - a world-renowned treasure.

Born in 1571, Caravaggio's own colourful life matches the high drama and contrasts found in his paintings. Caravaggio The Musical is aptly subtitled The Rise and Fall of a Tormented Genius. While highlighting the artist's unparalleled and unquestionable talent, the musical also reveals a darker side: his constant involvement in brawls and brushes with the law which tainted his artistic successes, forcing him to forever flee from the ravages left behind in every city he dwelled in.

Caravaggio will be played by West End based actor Cameron Walker-Pow who moved to our island for a few weeks specifically for this production. The cast includes some of Malta's most recognisable voices such as Roger Tirazona, Lawrence Gray and Neville Refalo, with other local talents like Talitha Dimech, Kateriana Fenech, Ryan Grech, Louis Cassar and Bettina Zammit completing the list. The spectacular performance of lights, dance and music has an incredible set designed by Romualdo Moretti and costumes by Giulia Orsi.

Composed by Paul Abela, with Book and Lyrics by Joe Julian Farrugia, and Directed by Malcolm Galea, the Musical features a mix of experienced local and international talent. Caravaggio The Musical promises a spectacle that's as exciting as the life of its protagonist.

Plot Line

In the year 1592, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio sets forth for Rome with his palette, sword, and a headful of dreams and demons. His skill as a painter secures him the patronage of Cardinal Del Monte, while his passionate personality earns him allies and enemies alike. Success follows success and before long, his name is synonymous with altarpieces of the greatest quality. However tensions run high when his foes scheme against him and he takes the bait. A duel leads to a death, and by 1606 Caravaggio is on the run with a bounty on his head.

After a brief and paranoid stay in Naples, Michele decides to leave Italy altogether and sails South for Malta in 1607. He's determined to start afresh and the Grandmaster of the Knights of St John offers him protection and a new life in return for paintings with which to embellish the churches in their new city. However Caravaggio's tempestuous nature remains unchanged, and after the past repeats itself with different protagonists, Michele is once again forced to fly for his life within that same year.

Fleeing to Sicily and Naples, his hopes lie on having his first death sentence pardoned so he may return to Rome. However he knows that no matter where he runs and how often he starts afresh, he will never be able to escape his real enemy.

CAST:

MICHELE (Caravaggio) - Cameron Walker-Pow

LENA / TIBERIA - Talitha Dimech

BAGLIONE / RODOMONTE - Roger Tirazona

DEL MONTE / WIGNACOURT - Lawrence Gray

CHIARO - Kateriana Fenech

SCURO - Neville Refalo

FILLIDE / CARULINA - Bettina Zammit

RANUCCIO - Louis Andrew Cassar

MINNITI - Ryan Grech

 

DANCERS:

The YADA Dance Company