Malta is getting ready to celebrate its 61st Independence Day on Saturday, and a discovery of an original programme of celebrations from the very first Independence Day has left us in absolute awe!
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After over two centuries of living under British rule, the Maltese campaigned for independence from England and achieved it on 21st September 1964 - and the celebrations were like nothing you could have seen before!
Back in 1964, the Maltese celebrated their first Independence Day by hosting a symphonic and operatic concert. Monologues, orchestral scores and operatic excerpts were the focus of the event, with the works of iconic opera composers Puccini, Verdi and Rossini being extensively featured.
Interestingly, the event was organised in collaboration with the Italian Government and featured many reputable singers such as Italo-American soprano Marcella Reale and Italian opera singers Orianna Santunione, a lyrical soprano, and Ferrucio Tagliavini, a tenor.
The singers performed both solo and joint renditions of world-famous operas like Madama Butterfly, Il Barbiere di Seviglia, Aida, La Traviata and La Boheme. The full programme of events is captured below.
How will you be spending this year's Independence Day?