The Manoel Theatre management committee has marked the arrival of a new harpsichord, with a performance on it by Ramona Zammit Formosa, one of the few harpsichord musicians in Malta. Guests were welcomed by the Manoel’s chairman, Michael Grech and Marcel Cassar, first executive vice-president and chief financial officer of FIMBank p.l.c.  

“Malta’s national theatre, is a baroque period theatre in the heart of our great baroque capital, and is also ranked as 12th in the Association of Baroque Theatres in Europe. As part of the Manoel’s three-year strategy plan leading to the EU presidency 2017 and the European Capital of Culture 2018, we will be marketing Malta as a cultural destination highlighting the beauty of baroque.

“We are also very proud to confirm that the Manoel will be producing Malta’s first International Baroque Music Festival in January 2013 for both local and international audiences. The Manoel’s Jacques Braux 1998 Harpsichord purchased from Paris was therefore an essential investment for the theatre.

“As Malta’s national theatre, funds are always limited and we depend on a number of corporate partners who finance our projects as part of their corporate social responsibility. In the case of the Manoel’s harpsichord, FIMBank plc has accepted to cover the full cost of acquisition and transportation of this musical instrument to Malta,” Dr Grech said.

Through the Manoel’s educational programme ‘Toi Toi’, a number of specific harpsichord workshops will be organised while the newly launched educational unit will be working with schools as well as music students to continue to enhance the love towards baroque

As part of the inauguration celebrations of the harpsichord, the Manoel Theatre has invited Jerome Correas, who directs the baroque ensemble Les Paladins to perform on 28 October. Beatrice Martin, harpsichordist to Les Arts Florissants, will be performing at the Manoel on 14 February next year.

For more information including the history of the harpsichord log on to www.teatrumanoel.com.mt.