Manoel Theatre

The Manoel Theatre in Valletta, Malta, is a performer since 1732 stage. Malta's National Theatre is one of Europe's oldest theaters. It is considered the third oldest recorded theaters in the world and the oldest in the Commonwealth.

History

The Grand Master Antonio Manoel de Vilhena let the Manoel Theatre in 1731 according to his will " to honor the edification of the people" build. The Trägodie Merope of Maffei, Scipione was listed as the first piece on 9 January 1732.

End of the 19th century the building was used as a dance hall and in the 20th century as a cinema. In the second world war it was used as a shelter. In 1956, the theater was nationalized. After extensive restoration, it took 1960 as Maltese National Theatre to operate again.

It specializes in the classical performing arts, but also jazz, folk and rock concerts are listed.

Architecture

The Manoel Theatre is known for the oval auditorium, which was designed in 1844 in reference to the Venetian Teatro La Fenice. The interior of the baroque building has 623 seats and four tiers of hand-painted wood. The ceiling is gilded with 22 carat.