Royal Opera House [Valletta, MT]
Royal Opera House (La Valletta)
Ópera real de La Valeta
Royal Opera House
Theatre building in Valletta, Malta
operagebouw in Valletta, Malta
Built 1862-1866 by Edward Middleton Barry. 1095 seats. Opened 9 Oct 1866 with Vincenzo Bellini's opera I Puritani. Destroyed by a fire on 25 May 1873. Rebuilt 1873-1877. Re-opened 11 Oct 1877 with Verdi's Aida. Destroyed by bombs on 7 Apr 1942. Several post-war plans to rebuild the theatre were unsuccessful. 2008-2013 rebuilt by Renzo Piano as an open-air theatre named Pjazza Teatru Rjal.
Burnt at 10 p.m. during a dress rehearsal, at which 200 people were present. Caused by the ignition of some scenery on the stage. No one killed, but many injured. Neighbouring powder magazine not damaged.