19/05/2026
**Melitensia Book of the Month – May 2026**
The Malta Royal Opera House: Power, Culture, and the Stage written by Vicki Ann Cremona; published by Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti and Kite Group.
This publication, divided into two volumes and accompanied by illustrations, is considered a definitive study of the Malta Royal Opera House. Built in 1866, the theatre reflected the cultural, economic, social, political, and linguistic context of its era. In this work, Cremona examines various facets of the Royal Opera House, including the building itself – its spaces, functions, décor, and stage machinery – as well as the damage caused by the fire, its subsequent reconstruction, management, audience, and commercial activities. The detailed descriptions and inventories presented by Cremona provide rich insight not only into this particular theatre, but also into contemporary opera houses around the world, particularly European ones during one of their most influential periods.
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**Il-Ktieb tax-Xahar fil-Melitensia – Mejju 2026**
The Malta Royal Opera House: Power, Culture, and the Stage miktub minn Vicki Ann Cremona; stampat minn Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti u Kite Group.
Din il-pubblikazzjoni, maqsuma bejn żewġ volumi u akkumpanjata mill-illustrazzjonijiet, hija kkunsidrata bħala studju definittiv dwar it-Teatru Rjal. Mibni fl-1866, dan it-teatru kien jirrifletti l-kuntest kulturali, ekonomiku, soċjali, politiku, u lingwistiku tal-era tiegħu. F’dan ix-xogħol, Cremona tistħarreġ diversi aspetti tat-Teatru Rjal, li jinkludu l-binja nnifisha – l-ispazji, il-funzjonijiet, id-dekor, u l-makkinarju tal-palk – kif ukoll il-ħsarat ikkawżati min-nirien, ir-rikostruzzjoni sussegwenti, it-tmexxija, l-udjenza, u l-attivitajiet kummerċjali. Id-deskrizzjonijiet dettaljati u l-inventarji li tippreżenta Cremona joffru ħarsa rikka mhux biss fuq dan it-teatru partikulari, iżda wkoll fuq teatri kontemporanji oħra madwar id-dinja, partikolarment dawk Ewropej fiż-żmien l-iżjed influwenti tagħhom.
