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 Music |
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Much of Maltese music today is western in nature and influence, but traditional Maltese music can be heard in many places. The most popular form of traditional Maltese music is called L-g (pronounced laana ). L-g is a form of folk music that is accompanied by guitar. The singing in L-g is done by two or three people debating or arguing a point in sing-song. L-g is a difficult art form and it takes years of practice before one can combine effective lines and melody. Other types of traditional Maltese music is daqqaqa, which is instrumental music that puts emphasis on guitar and percussion.
The Maltese Calypso is the foremost example of Maltese folk music. This is an extraordinarily long song composed of several verses. The song is often played in bars accompanied by guitar, and it is customary to play only one or two verses at one time.
A popular local folk group that is reviving ethnic Maltese musical forms is Etnika. They use traditional instruments such as bag pipes, horns, and percussion instruments. The group reinterprets long-gone Maltese musical forms and adapts them to a modern audience. Lovers of exotic music would do well to look out for Etnika's performances.
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Theater is a colorful, lively, and well-developed part of the local cultural scene. Malta's most prominent theater, The Manoel Theater, makes a most wonderful venue for theater, opera, and classical music performances. The Manoel was opened in 1732, initially hosting French classic stage plays. Today, the theater plays host to a full range of stage performances, from comedy to drama to the cherished old classics. Adjacent to the Manoel, the Sala Isouard also hosts performances. The Manoel Theater hosts annual festivals, such as the Valletta Baroque Festival, the Arts Festival, and the Opera Festival. On Christmas, the Manoel hosts the Christmas Pantomime, which is a fun and delightful event for children and adults alike.
There are also dedicated amateur groups that stage regular performances of Shakespearean works and other masterpieces in other venues, such as the Mediterranean Conference Center or the Old University building in Valletta, or the University of Malta at Tal-Qroqq.
Opera lovers will also find the Manoel Theater to be the most important venue for operatic performances. Outside of the Manoel, the Mediterranean Conference Center as well as various theaters in Gozo also hosts opera.
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