Malta Philharmonic Orchestra – Teatru tal-Opra Aurora

Meet the Protagonists

LA TRAVIATA | OPERA - 17 OCTOBER 2026

The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra

Malta’s Foremost Musical Institution

For over half a century, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) has stood at the forefront of Malta’s musical history.

The orchestra was founded in April 1968, when musicians from the disbanded Royal Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet Band, formerly based in Malta, formed the Manoel Theatre Orchestra. It remained the resident orchestra of the Manoel Theatre until September 1997, when it became an independent ensemble under the name of the National Orchestra. In 2008, it was elevated to the status of a full symphony orchestra, adopting the name Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, and bringing together Malta’s finest musicians alongside distinguished performers from across Europe and beyond.

Joseph Sammut, the last bandmaster of the Royal Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet, was appointed the MPO’s first Music Director, a role he held until 1992. Since then, the orchestra has been led by Joseph Vella, John Galea, Michael Laus, Brian Schembri and Sergey Smbatyan. The MPO also collaborates extensively with both local and international artists.

As Malta’s only professional orchestra, the MPO presents on average more than one concert per week, encompassing symphonic performances, opera productions in Malta and Gozo, community outreach projects, educational initiatives, and concerts of lighter music.

The orchestra has performed in prestigious venues worldwide, including in the United States, Russia, Dubai, Germany, Austria, China, Belgium, and Italy. In June 2025, it was invited to the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy, where it presented the opera Hadrian.

Moreover, the MPO actively promotes Maltese composers by performing their works both locally and abroad, premiering new pieces, and commissioning original compositions.

Through the Malta Youth Orchestra, which gives regular concerts across the islands, the MPO is also committed to the training and professional development of the next generation of Maltese musicians.