The MPO becomes a Government Agency
The Government of Malta has established the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) as an agency in accordance with the Public Administration Act, replacing the company from which it was operating.
Through a legal notice which was published today in the Government Gazette, the MPO has now been established as an agency, with all the rights and obligations that agencies have which are established under the said law, a government statement read.
Minister for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government Owen Bonnici said that through this change, government is continuing to show its commitment towards excellence in music and culture. He said that the main objective is to continue improving the quality of Malta’s foremost musical institution.
Bonnici said that the existence of the MPO is an essential part of the local culture and reflects a culturally rich and vibrant community. He added that now, the MPO will have an agency structure to be able to function in a better way.
MPO Chairman Alfred Camilleri noted that the orchestra represents musical excellence in the country and has the duty to enrich the cultural ecology of Malta.
He said that this legal framework will better reflect the MPO’s mission, as it collaborates more frequently with local entities and festivals.
MPO CEO Sigmund Mifsud remarked that as an agency, the orchestra can continue to nurture artistic development by investing further in initiatives such as the MPO Academy, the MPO Internship Programme, and the Malta Youth Orchestra, as well as in educational projects such as L-Investigaturi tal-Mużika.
The orchestra shall continue working to promote talent locally and on an international platform.
The MPO was founded in 1968 as the Manoel Theatre Orchestra. In 1997, the orchestra, under the name of the National Orchestra of Malta, became an independent orchestra which began operating in the form of a company. In 2008 the orchestra expanded to a full-size symphony orchestra and renamed the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.
