1920s-1940s Malta : the fascist musical sphere of influence over the Maltese archipelago

Abstract

The idea for this research topic mainly originated through my hobbies and was further developed while studying. History is a subject which will never cease to fascinate me, especially when applied to practical use. As part of the historical society ‘Battlefront Living History Group’ I partake in historical reenactments of a military nature: one of the aims of the group is to portray (through academic research) the military history of the Maltese archipelago during the Second World War. Historical impressions of the units involved in the theoretical invasion of Malta1 would include German paratroopers, a variety of Italian units and British units stationed in Malta, mainly the K.O.M.R. It is through this hobby that I was first exposed to a variety of Italian music from the interwar and wartime period, including ‘Oh Malta’ a propaganda song dedicated to the Maltese people. This study aims to give a brief overview of any possible connections between the musical societies of Italy and Malta, and if there was any traceable influence (both direct and indirect) resulting from these connections. This dissertation approaches these issues by attempting to answer the following question: What prominent sections made up the musical structure of the period and how much were they influenced by the British or Italian cultures?