In the mid-19th century, as opera began to gain popularity on the Maltese Islands, it became evident that the historic Manoel Theatre, opened in 1732, could no longer accommodate the growing audiences. The need for a larger and more modern venue became apparent, leading to the decision to construct a new opera house. In 1860, the Governor of Malta, Sir John Gaspard Le Marchand, formally approved the construction of a new theatre to be built at the entrance of Valletta. This project culminated in the Royal Opera House, a structure that would become one of Malta's most cherished cultural landmarks, though its history would later be marked by both triumph and tragedy.
The Royal Opera House was designed in 1861 by the English architect Edward Middleton Barry, who had established his reputation by designing several prominent buildings in London, including Covent Garden and the National Gallery. Barry's design for the Royal Opera House followed the Neo-Classical style, and construction began on a 63-meter by 34-meter site that had previously been occupied by the Casa della Giornata, the residence of the Turcopilier of the Auberge d’Angleterre during the time of the Knights. The new theatre, with a seating capacity of 1,095 and standing room for 200 more, was completed after five years, significantly surpassing the capacity of the Manoel Theatre. The cost of construction amounted to £60,000, a substantial sum for the time, but the result was a building that rivalled some of the finest opera houses in Europe.
The Royal Opera House was officially inaugurated on October 9, 1866, with a performance of Vincenzo Bellini’s opera I Puritani. However, just seven years later, on May 25, 1873, the theatre suffered its first disaster. During a rehearsal of Giuseppe Privitera’s opera La Vergine del Castello, a fire broke out, causing extensive damage to the interior. Though the exterior of the building remained intact, the fire calcified the stonework inside, rendering it unusable. Restoration work began swiftly under the supervision of architect Webster Poulson, with the repairs costing an additional £4,000. After nearly four and a half years of restoration, the theatre reopened on October 11, 1877, with a performance of Giuseppe Verdi’s Aida, marking a triumphant return to Malta's cultural scene.
For decades, the Royal Opera House stood as the premier venue for opera and drama in Malta, attracting audiences from across the social spectrum, including military officers, British royalty, and Maltese enthusiasts. It was here that many aspiring opera singers launched their careers. Among the renowned artists who performed at the Royal Opera House were tenor Giovanni Zenatello, mezzo-soprano Giulietta Simionato, and soprano Bidu Sayão, all of whom went on to achieve international acclaim, particularly at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Maltese singers like tenor Icilio Calleja and baritone Giuseppe Satariano also graced the stage, further enhancing the theatre’s reputation as a hub for both local and international talent. Composers of international repute, including Ottorino Respighi, Mons. Licinio Refice, and Riccardo Zandonai, were also invited to perform in Malta, solidifying the Royal Opera House’s status as a cultural beacon in the Mediterranean.
The Royal Opera House’s reputation as one of the most beautiful and inspiring opera houses in Europe made it a symbol of Maltese cultural aspirations. However, this legacy was cut short by the ravages of World War II. On the evening of April 7, 1942, the theatre suffered its second and most devastating tragedy. During an aerial attack by German Stuka dive-bombers, the Royal Opera House was struck, and much of its interior and side walls were destroyed. The once-grand building was reduced to ruins, with only a few Corinthian columns and sections of its stone base surviving the destruction. The devastation of the theatre symbolised a significant cultural loss for Malta, as the island endured one of the most heavily bombed campaigns of the war.
In the post-war years, several attempts were made to restore the theatre to its former glory. In 1953, six architects submitted designs for the reconstruction of the Royal Opera House, and the project designed by Italian architect Zavellani-Rossi was selected. However, the project was eventually shelved due to political disagreements and concerns over the cost, despite a provision of £280,000 in the national budget for the theatre's reconstruction. Over the following decades, successive governments struggled to prioritise the rebuilding of the opera house, as other reconstruction projects were deemed more urgent in post-war Malta. By the late 1950s, the ruins of the theatre had fallen into disuse, and for many years, the site was used as a parking lot for commuters entering Valletta.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, various proposals to rebuild the Royal Opera House emerged, including plans by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano, who had been contacted to design a new structure on the site. Piano’s plans, which included rehabilitating the entrance to the city and constructing a new building on the opera house site, were approved by the Maltese government in 1990. However, strong opposition from conservative elements of Maltese society led to the abandonment of this project as well. Similar attempts to create a cultural complex or an underground car park in the area also failed, and for decades, the site of the Royal Opera House remained a controversial and unfulfilled promise in Malta’s cultural landscape.
It was not until 2006 that serious discussions about redeveloping the site gained momentum again, and once more, Renzo Piano was approached to provide a new design. This time, Piano proposed constructing a new Parliament building nearby and converting the Royal Opera House site into an open-air theatre. Despite some initial controversy surrounding the plan, the project proceeded, and in 2013, the site was officially inaugurated as Pjazza Teatru Rjal, an open-air performance venue that both commemorates the theatre’s storied past and serves as a symbol of Malta’s cultural resilience.
Today, Pjazza Teatru Rjal stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Maltese people. It honours the legacy of the original Royal Opera House while offering a modern space for artistic expression. Although the original theatre, with its grandeur and beauty, was lost to the destruction of war, its memory lives on through the performances and cultural events that now take place in the open-air venue. The transformation of the site from ruin to a vibrant cultural space reflects Malta's ongoing commitment to preserving its rich artistic heritage while looking towards the future with optimism.
Bibliography:
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Denaro, Victor F. Houses in Kingsway and Old Bakery Street, Valletta. Melita Historica, Journal of the Malta Historical Society, 1959.
Bonnici, Joseph, and Cassar, Michael. The Royal Opera House – Malta. Gutenberg Press, 1990.
Rix, Juliet. Malta and Gozo. Bradt Travel Guides, 2015.
"Valletta's Royal Opera House, from glamour to rubble". The Man Who Went To Malta. 12 December 2011.
"Pjazza Teatru Rjal". Malta Ministry of Culture. Archived April 10, 2019.
Squires, Nick. "Maltese anger at plans to rebuild Valletta". The Daily Telegraph, London, 8 May 2010.
Jien nibqa tal-opinjoni li l-uzu ta tejatru mifhuh taht ir-residenzi, jillimita hafna l-uzu tieghu. Apparti hekk l-uzu ta' tejatri miftuhin f'Malta donnha qatt ma qabdet sew. Hawn hafna amfitejatri li qajla rajna kuncerti fijhom. Wiehed minnhom dak tal-Park Nazzjonali f'Ta' Qali. Fil-kaz tal-Belt Valletta, qabel tinstab soluzzjoni ghas-soundproofing qajla se jintuza matul is-sjuf. Li hi hasra.