Paolino Vassallo

Paolino Vassallo (born 24 July 1856 in Cospicua - deceased 20 January 1923 in Valletta) was a Maltese composer.

Biography Paolino Vassallo was the son of Salvatore Vassallo and Victoria Xicluna. At the age of 19, he moved to Paris to study at the Conservatoire Royal with Massenet and Guiraud. He performed as first violin, and later conductor, of the Opéra-Comique.

He founded his Musical Institute in Valletta in 1885 Carlo Diacono and Josie Mallia Pulvirenti. Vassallo wrote three operas; Amor Fatale, Frazir and Edith Cavell. He refused the Grand Prix de Rome to keep his British nationality, and returned to Malta in 1888; here, he met his wife Marianna. In 1905, he was appointed Maestro di cappella of the Mdina Cathedral and the Co-Catheral of St. John in Valletta. During this position he enforced the application of the Motu Proprio decreed in 1910.

Vassallo died on 30 January 1923.

Works Orchestral Scherzo, Andante e Finale for orchestra (sometimes referred to as a symphony) Malta, overture Ad Gloriam, overture Les Astres, Valses de Concert Andante for Strings Marcia Religiosa e Fuga per Grande Orchestra

Concertante Andante for Violin and Orchestra (written as the second movement of an unfinished Violin Concerto)

Opera Francesca da Rimini (opera in one act, 1888) Amor Fatal (two-act opera based on Francesca da Rimini, 1898) Frazir (opera, 1905) Edith Cavell (opera, 1923)

Choral Grande Messa (choral, 1889) Messa da Requiem (choral, 1893)

Awards 1895: Moody-Manners International Competition for the 2-act opera Amor Fatale