Ġawhar Misjub: Francesco Schira ( 1809-1883)

The production ‘Ġawhar Misjub – an Operatic Banquet’ includes operatic excerpts by different Maltese composers highlighting Malta’s rich heritage in operatic music. In this article one can learn more about the composer Francesco Schira ( 1809-1883).

Another Maltese born composer that was a resident composer and vocalist in foreign theatres was Francesco Schira. Schira was born in Valletta in 1809 to a musical family and he was the youngest of four brothers. Schira was enrolled at the Milan Conservatory at the tender age of 9 years. He was a wellknown teacher for voice performance at the Royal Academy of Music and a resident conductor of London’s Drury Lane Theatre and Lisbon’s National Theatre San Carlo.  

Apart from being a prominent voice performance teacher, he was also known for his operatic works. His most famous to date are the EarRing, Lia and La Selvaggia. One of his successful romantic operas is Thérèse, the Orphan of Geneve. The opera deals about Thérèse’s unknown past and the jealousy of lovers. The character of Levine sings an aria taken from the same opera She was Once so Demure is written in a romantic style, and quite in an Italianate way. The quartet Oh What A Joy To Hear is sung by Thérèse, the Countess, the Count and Picard deals with the celebration of the engagement of Thérèse and Picard (these are all characters in the quartet). 

‘Ġawhar Misjub – An Operatic Banquet’ will premier on the 27th of May 8 pm at St.Agatha Auditorium , Rabat.

Book your seats now for FREE by following this link or scanning the QR code beneath.