With Valletta as European Capital of Culture 2018, Malta’s events calendar continues to be packed throughout March.

Mozart’s Don Giovanni

5th-9th March – Teatru Manoel, Valletta

In 2018, Teatru Manoel’s famed annual major opera will be Mozart’s ‘Don Giovanni’ in honour of the European Capital of Culture year. Directed by Jack Furness and featuring the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, this iconic masterpiece is the second of three operas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Lorenzo Da Ponte that are being produced by Malta’s national theatre.

The Mediterranean Dimension Project: MED Combo Valletta 2: A concert of ethnic music

6th March – Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta

The Mediterranean Dimension Project continues with a concert of ethnic music at Spazju Kreattiv, as part of the Intercultural Music Residency taking place from 27th February to 6th March. The ensemble which features prominent Mediterranean artists is led by Syrian composer Hassan Taha.

Dynamics of Mediterranean Artistic Interaction in the Late Medieval and Renaissance Periods

9th March – Valletta University Campus, Valletta

Endorsed by the Valletta 2018 Foundation, this unique conference will bring together distinguished local and international art historians who specialise in Medieval and Renaissance aspects of Mediterranean art and culture. With Malta’s position in the heart of the Mediterranean, the island’s rich history and inherited stylistic influences will be explored as part of the conference, where each academic will present their original research on the subject.

Ida Kelarova’s Jazz Famelija

10th March – Don Bosco Oratory Theatre, Victoria, Gozo

Featuring the best of Czech and Slovak musicians, Romani harmonies and Latin-American rhythms collaborate to the sound of a jazz band in this performance led by legendary singer Ida Kelarova. The repertoire will also include new songs composed by the lead singer, guitarist and bandleader, Desiderius Dužda. The locally-based Organic Choir will open for the show, and Kelarova will also present a short workshop following the performance based around her ‘Everyone Can Sing’ concept.

 Bright Club Meets Theatre

10th March – Royal British Legion Bar, Valletta

The teams behind ‘Get Your Act Together’ and ‘Science in the City, Malta’ are joining forces to present the first ever collaboration in ‘Bright Club Meets Theatre’. Incorporating a unique mixture of science and theatre, the event will feature prominent local actors and their mentors who will share theatre readings and lead an audience-inclusive debate, before science-related stand-up comedy and a science-themed party.

Ħolqa Festival

12th-16th March – Junior College, Msida

Hosted by the University of Malta Junior College and involving the participation of other European schools, the Ħolqa festival features dramatic performances that aim to bring young people from across the globe together through theatre. Supported also by the Premju tal-President għall-Kreattività, the project hopes to create a cultural space for teenagers from different socio-economic backgrounds and countries to come together and share ideas through their artistic expression.

A Female Musical Blast

16th March – St Theresa College, Secondary School, Mrieħel

Endorsed by the Valletta 2018 Foundation, the Year 11 (Form 5) Graduation Ceremony will also contain a show combining visual and performance arts. Each student has created a postcard inspired by the cultural sights of Valletta, promoting the history, architecture and art in the capital, and these postcards will then serve as introduction to eight dance acts at the ceremony, all relating to international female artists.

Hush

17th-19th March – Teatru Manoel, Valletta

Teatru Manoel Youth Theatre (TMYT) perform ‘Hush’, an original musical written and directed by Denise Mulholland, with music and lyrics by Luke Saydon. Dealing with the themes of loss, fear, and lost confidence, ‘Hush’ takes you to a magical world in which little Gus Nightingale must re-discover his true voice and save the world from the villainous Maestro.

Russian Masters

17th March – Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Greek conductor Michalis Economou, opens this concert which explores Russian classical composers Mikhail Glinka, Prokofiev and Shostakovich. Building on Russian musical traditions, the pieces reflect each composer’s unique style and influences.

Unity in Music Diversity

25th March – Sky Club, Paceville

This DJ music festival hosts diverse genres, with multiple DJs playing sets in a single venue to inspire the audience to explore the different styles through movement or dance. Supported by the Valletta 2018 Foundation, the festival also showcases diverse technologies relating to different music genres, while providing a platform for new talent.

For more info, be sure to visit the official Valletta 2018 website!