 "Lucia di Lammermoor" was given as a gala night in honour of the Queen Dowager, featuring soprano Camilla Darbois.English and Italian opera and operetta were the most popular productions at the "Teatro Reale" throughout the 19th century; however, the Maltese public was particularly supportive of operas by Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi.In 1861, the Teatro Reale was given on perpetual lease, by the government, to Dr. Salvatore Mifsud and Anacleto Conti for an annual ground rent of £236,15, and in 1862, the directum dominium was sold to Emmanuele Scicluna for £7,833.6.8.