The Valletta Cultural Agency has launched its Cultural Programme for 2023, boasting highlights such as the Opera Tosca, a programme of artistic installations in South Street, exhibitions, concerts as well as film screenings and theatre productions.
New productions and collaborations see the participation of several artists, cultural organisations and the business comunity, which form part of Valletta’s artistic, social and economic fabric.
The programme features Puccini’s Tosca taking place in partnership with Teatru Manoel which sees the participation of Kor Malta and the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. This new production is designed, directed and featuring world class artist José Cura in the main part as Cavaradossi.
Another stellar production – Mary Spiteri: My Life – celebrates one of the island’s iconic singers, her life and career by means of a repertoire of songs and interviews.
The Cultural Programme features several other collaborations on a grand scale which need little introduction including the Valletta Green Festival, Cinema City and Opera in the City – The Three Tenors. Following last year’s success, the Valletta Local Food Festival returns for a weekend of the finest local cuisine in the ambience of the Valletta Design Cluster.
Holy Week will see a traditional installation featuring hundreds of firebowls in St George’s Square and a production by well-known theatre personalities Joseph Galea and Carlos Farrugia – Fit-3:00PM which, while going beyond the traditional, links aspects of Maltese ritual and Holy Week cult practices.
The Agency is also working on an exhibition featuring Darren Tanti’s works – one of Malta’s most thought-provoking artists who focuses on the hyperreality and the integration of the digital into explorative painting techniques.
The Strada Stretta curated programme continues with the film screening series of classic films – Tnejn Għat-Talkies and The Spirit of ’73 – a performance of popular classics of the iconic seventies when disco, funk, soul, R&B, smooth jazz, jazz fusion and rock music were popular.
Theatre lovers and literature buffs may also enjoy the comical drama Arti, originally written in English by Yasmina Reza, translated and directed by Albert Marshall with the participation of Sean Buhagiar, Ray Calleja and Mikhail Basmadijan.
Valleta Cultural Agency Chairman Jason Micallef said, “We invite you to join us once again, and to enjoy all that our Capital City has to offer, so that together we can make these events a success. Seasonally, this programme does not leave anything out – from Holy Week, Spring, Summer and Christmas – we will offer something for everyone at all times.”
Valletta Cultural Agency CEO Catherine Tabone explained, “More than ever, Valletta has become a beautiful cultural mosaic – a point of convergence for high-quality artistic events. We remain committed to continue building upon the successes of the past four years while embracing the exciting possibilities which the future offers.”
World class artist José Cura sent a video message where he spoke about his involvement with the Agency.
For more information about the Valletta Cultural Agency’s events visit the VCA events section and the Valletta Cultural Agency Facebook page.
