A Musician’s Experience At Casa Ellul Boutique Hotel In Malta

Having played in many of the world’s concert halls, I had become a little blase to traveling for work, but us musicians can’t really say no to a gig. And we certainly can’t say no when staying a luxury boutique hotel in Malta is part of the package!

Valletta becoming the Capital of Culture in 2018 means that more and more international musicians are being invited – as if a dress rehearsal – to play at one of the islands’ many performance spaces.

The Manoel Theatre has an illustrious history and apparently is Europe’s oldest theatre in terms of continuous use.

It’s like a chocolate box, pretty and quaint and not at all spoiled by the modern acoustic materials and technology. This is the kind of theatre where patrons still dress up; because it ‘requires’ you to.

I was a little taken aback to have a hot tub on my terrace and so played a bit of violin, because I could. I heard applause when I finished so I don’t think I disturbed my neighbours! That skyline and the ambience of the hotel really made the weekend even more special. I almost couldn’t wait for the show to be over so i could return to my suite.

Post performance (which we got a standing ovation for by the way) we had supper in the same street as the theatre and hotel, and were able to have drinks on our terrace to wind down after an exhilarating evening.

The treatment received at the Casa Ellul really revived my spirit and renewed my vigour.

The Manoel Theatre is in for a treat with all the upcoming musical evenings scheduled for the next season if my experience is anything to go by.