Farewell Carmen Vella – another icon of the Maltese song scene passes away

Jul 4, 2026

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Maltese singer and stage performer Carmen Vella, one of Malta’s best-known cabaret entertainers during the 1960s and 1970s, has died at the age of 79.

Born in Sliema on 16 February 1947, Vella enjoyed a distinguished career spanning music, theatre, and television, becoming one of the country’s pioneering female entertainers and one of the first Maltese singers to gain exposure on Italian television.

Vella first rose to prominence through her performances in the cabaret scene, where her distinctive voice and stage presence made her a popular figure with local audiences. She also established herself in musical theatre as a subrette in productions staged at the Teatru Manoel, notably portraying Cincilla in the operetta Il Paese dei Campanelli, one of the theatre’s best-loved productions.

Her popularity extended to television, where she regularly appeared on some of Malta’s most successful entertainment programmes of the era, including Teenbeat – The Oscar Lucas Show, Carusel, and Epoka. These appearances helped cement her reputation as one of Malta’s leading female vocalists during a period when local television entertainment was rapidly developing.

Throughout her career, Vella performed a wide repertoire of songs, including original recordings such as X’Ħajja Din. She also enjoyed success performing alongside her brother, Martin Vella, with whom she recorded the popular duet Bħalek M’Hawnx.

Among her career milestones was presenting a music festival in Italy and becoming the first professional Maltese singer to appear on Italy’s national broadcaster, RAI, an achievement that helped introduce Maltese musical talent to international audiences.

Vella also released the LP Merħba, further establishing her place in Malta’s music scene.

Her contribution to Maltese entertainment, through music, theatre, and television, leaves behind a lasting legacy remembered by generations of audiences who enjoyed her performances on stage and screen.

Carmen Vella’s funeral will be held on Tuesday, 7 July, at 9:00 a.m. at the Sacro Cuor Church in Sliema, where family, friends, colleagues, and admirers will gather to pay their final respects.