It was the year 1860 when Indri Borg established two local band groups in Malta; one in Zebbug and subsequently another in Rabat tal-Imdina. Today these two bands are formally known as Banda De Rohan and Banda L’Isle Adam respectively. It is found documented in “Gurnal Malti” of 30 March 1865, a local newspaper at that time; “accompanying the statue of Saint Joseph, was a band of a high level conducted by Andrea Borg, although a blind man, one could not distinguish the band from a military one. What could lead to this is the capability of the mentioned Professor…”
Year 2010 is a year of significant historic importance for L’Isle Adam Band of Rabat, being the 150th anniversary since its origin. This band not only deemed itself popular but also well known with local music enthusiasts at that time. Mro Andrea Borg, its founder in 1860 was a maestro from Valletta who got blind at the age of two. His music tutor was Mro Rull and was capable of playing all musical instruments. One also finds that in 1854 numerous youngsters from Rabat and Mdina studied music at Mro Andrea Borg and established themselves as the first Rabat band in 1860, at that time known as The Rabat Band, Mdina Band and also St Joseph Band. Today 150 years later the band is formally known as L’Isle Adam Band. Since the band’s early stages, it participated during the 19 March celebrations of St Joseph feast and the Good Friday Procession of Arch-confraternity of St Joseph from St Mary of Jesus Church. Since then, the band was continuously directed by maestros of a high profile, with a number of them emerging from the band itself, as with the present Mro Joseph Galea. This is evidenced from Robert Mifsud Bonnici quoting: “the band that never came to an end.”
A cultural yet historical exhibition is being inaugurated on Friday 26 February at the band’s club, Palazzo Xara. The band’s history, photo, coat of arms flags, coins and other memorabilia will be exhibited. The exhibition remains open to the public until 7 March. More details are available on www.bandalisleadam.com.
The exhibition will be open on weekdays from 5pm onwards and on weekends from 9.30am to 12.30pm and from 5pm onwards.