An Evening at Manoel Theatre: De Valette Chamber Orchestra in Concert

A Grand Surprise 

Back in June I was going through exams and had little more on my mind. After getting my Biology exam over and done with on a certain Friday, I felt as if an climax had been reached...I then found myself spending the evening at Manoel Theatre!

This was extremely unexpected, my uncle called last minute with an extra ticket and asked if I'd like to see the DeValette Chamber Orchestra. Of course! With about 20 minutes to spare, the house was ransacked for an outfit fit for the occasion. I went for black boots, a black skirt and a wine top with plenty of ruffles - my favourite! It was actually the first time wearing it since I had bought it a year ago, as my usual day-to-day outfits are rather plain and tomboyish.

So I went with my uncle and aunt. As per usual in Malta we found a major road closure and had to re-route the remaining part of the journey entirely. We were extremely lucky with parking (parking is a BIT issue anywhere in Malta) and found an empty spot right below the St.Paul's Cathedral, which is just a block away from the Theatre. Once in the streets of Valletta it did take a while to find the actual place itself - at night things tend to look differently, but with the help of Google Maps we found ourselves right at the entrance. It was 8pm on the dot, and the function was about to begin.

What about the concert?

Concert programme booklet of the De Valette Chamber Orchestra
at Teatru Manoel, Valletta, Malta (2026),
featuring Carmine Lauri and Hansjörg Schellenberger.

Several news outlets have been covering news on the De Valette Chamber Orchestra.

https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/arts/music/142338/de_valette_chamber_orchestra_concludes_first_season_at_teatru_manoel

In the article listed above MaltaToday covered the Final Concert and also provided a list of the pieces which were played. These were Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major, K. 16 followed by his Oboe Concerto in C major, K. 314. The conductor Hansjorg Schellenberger played this oboe solo beautifully and I still marvel at such exceptional breath control. Next was Johann Sebastian Bach's concerto for Violin and Oboe in C minor.

Took this pic at intermission.
Actually forgot to take more.

I admit that, having been presented such an opportunity last minute, I hadn't sufficient time to research the programme and familiarise myself with the works beforehand. 

Consequently, I just enjoyed the music, and lost track of which piece was being performed.  However, I suspect that the final two works after the intermission may have been presented in reverse order, with Kreisler’s Concerto being performed first. 

Whatever order they were played, these were Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201 and Fritz Kreisler's Violin Concerto in C major “In the style of Vivaldi”.

Thoughts

I loved every single minute of the concert. The music was so well played - I can only imagine the hours of practice that went behind preparing this, and each note was literally - music to my ears. (Excuse the pun). After there was a little reception for the musician's close circle. We stayed till about 11pm before making our way back home. Quite an experience!

Even the bathroom was on a league of its own

Non-related

Poster advertising the Manoel Theatre Grand Tour in Valletta, Malta.