Comino Principality

“From 1768 to 1770 the impresario of the Manoel Theatre in Valletta was a woman. Her name was Natale Farrugia.63 The Manoel theatre built in 1731 was officially set-up for the enjoyment of the general public, in practise however it provided a ‘clean’ form of entertainment for knights. ‘Impresario’ derives from the Italian word impresa meaning an enterprise. The title was bestowed on a person or persons who organised and financed theatrical productions. It was possibly during this period of time that Natale Farrugia and a wealthy German knight by the name of Ferdinand von Hompesch struck a relationship. They allegedly had three children. Balì Hompesch’s mistress is mentioned in Carasi’s afore-mentioned account on the Order of Malta. The death of Grand Master Francisco Ximenez de Tejada in November 1775 triggered off a tense electoral process. Emanuel de Rohan received seven votes, Balì Hompesch got four and other votes fell on various candidates. A second inconclusive round of elections took place. In order to avoid delay and external interference, Rohan struck a deal with Natale Farrugia. He offered her 10,000 livres for the four votes her companion Balì Hompesch had acquired. Four hours later de Rohan was confirmed as the new Grand Master of the Order. Natale Farrugia not only managed a theatre but she also managed her partner’s affairs. She was a good negotiator and drove a hard bargain.64 Ferdinand von Hompesch became the Grand Master of the Order of St John in 1797.“