Government has established the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) as an agency in accordance with the Public Administration Act, instead of the company from which it was operating.

Through a legal notice which was published today in the Government Gazette, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra has now been established as an agency, with all the rights and obligations that agencies have which are established under the said law, a government statement read.

Minister for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici said that through this change, government is continuing to show its commitment towards excellence in music and culture. He said that the main objective is to continue improving the quality of the National Orchestra.

Bonnici said that the existence of the MPO is an essential part of the local culture and reflects a culturally rich and vibrant community. He added that now, the MPO will have an agency structure to be able to function in a better way.

Chairman of the MPO Alfred Camilleri said that the National Orchestra represents musical excellence in the country and has the duty to enrich the cultural ecology of Malta.

He said that the legal framework will better reflect the MPO’s mission, while it will be collaborating more frequently with local entities and festivals.

CEO of the MPO Sigmund Mifsud said that as an agency, the orchestra can continue to increase artistic development by investing more in initiatives such as the MPO Academy, the MPO Internship Programme, and the Malta Youth Orchestra, as well as in educational projects such as the Music Investigators.

He said that they will continue to work to expose local talent internationally as well as in the local cultural sector.

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1968 as the Manoel Theater Orchestra. In 1997, the orchestra, under the name of the National Orchestra of Malta, became an independent orchestra which began operating in the form of a company.

In 2008 the Orchestra expanded to a full-size symphony orchestra and was renamed the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. It will now be operating with an agency structure.