The first ever musical on Caravaggio – whose paintings draw visitors to Malta from around the world – will debut tonight and run until Sunday at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio’s The Beheading of St John, dubbed “one of the “most important works in Western painting,” hangs at St John’s Co-Cathedral. The striking chiaroscuro (shadow and light) style of the masterpiece is a style synonymous with the artist. Moody, inspiring and ever-present aura of danger’ Caravaggio musical opens tonight. Photo: Darren Agius. Countless books, articles and researchers have delved into the mind of the fiery-tempered Italian genius. But it is the first time that his story will come to life in an original musical. Caravaggio the Musical – The Rise and Fall of a Tormented Genius will portray the tale of the artist’s talent but also reveal his darker side – his constant involvement in fights and brushes with the law, which forced him to flee and seek refugee with the Knights of St John in Malta. The music is composed by Paul Abela and the lyrics written by Joe Julian Farrugia. Director Malcolm Galea said no musical has ever been performed about the...