Photograph: Palazzo Parisio by Julian Vassallo Kris Spiteri, piano Synopsis
Darling, nothing very bad could happen to you at breakfast…
Step into the timeless glamour of Breakfast at Tiffany’s for an unforgettable morning at Palazzo Parisio. Begin with a guided tour through the Palazzo’s sumptuous rooms, discovering gilded splendour, sparkling chandeliers, and the stories behind one of Malta’s most beautiful historic houses. Then it’s time for breakfast – served with a generous helping of 1960s New York elegance.
Take Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly as your inspiration: think little black dresses, oversized sunglasses, pearls, elegant gloves and a touch of effortless chic. Dress up as much – or as little – as you please, and join us for a deliciously stylish breakfast where Palazzo Parisio meets Fifth Avenue. After all, breakfast is always better with a little glamour. A ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ inspired breakfast, preceded by a tour of this c-18th palazzo – a jewel right at the heart of one of Malta’s core historic towns, with piano playing greeting everyone as they walk up the grand staircase and approach the landing, evoking an Audrey Hepburn era and style, with much-loved Maltese musician, Kris Spiteri, featuring great movie classics, including Moon River (Breakfast at Tiffany’s), Smile (Modern Times, Charlie Chaplin), As Time Goes By (Casablanca), and Somewhere over the rainbow (Wizard of Oz).
THE VENUE
With its magnificent interiors and manicured Italianate gardens, Palazzo Parisio is one of Malta’s most spectacular private houses. Behind its restrained limestone façade lies a richly ornamented world of frescoes, marble, gilding and exceptional craftsmanship. The Grand Hall, with its soaring vaulted ceiling and frescoed walls, leads to an imposing marble staircase, whose six-metre balustrade was carved from a single piece of Italian Carrara marble.
The Palazzo owes much of its present splendour to the wealthy Maltese banker and merchant Marquis Giuseppe Scicluna, who acquired it in 1898 and commissioned an ambitious transformation. Under architect Carlo Sada, the residence became an exuberant expression of the family’s wealth, taste and status.
Its most dazzling room is the Rococo ballroom, where extensive gilding, bronze chandeliers and gilt-edged mirrors create a spectacular setting reminiscent of Versailles’ Hall of Mirrors. Eight busts of Grand Masters overlook the room, while the richly symbolic ceiling completes Sada’s theatrical design. Adjoining it, the Music Room provided an intimate salon for conversation and musical performances, with pale silk moiré walls and furniture embellished with 24-carat gold leaf.
The billiard room features Giacomo Olzai’s painted stucco ceiling depicting Fortuna, goddess of good luck, overlooking an eight-legged billiard table illuminated by bronze cherubs. In the Marquis’ study, allegorical ceiling decoration celebrates modern developments including the telephone, banking and the opening of the Suez Canal. Portraits commemorate the Marquis and Marchesa Corinna Abela Pulis, whose First World War humanitarian work earned international recognition. The Sala Lombarda, or Red Drawing Room, evokes traditional northern Italian taste through religious, mythological and family paintings, including works associated with Mattia Preti, Philipp Peter Roos and Giovanni Paolo Panini. The Pompeian-inspired dining room reflects archaeological fashions of the period through Filippo Venuti’s paintings.
The Palazzo’s private chapel contains some of its greatest treasures, notably a 17th-century wooden altar once belonging to Grand Master Nicolas Cotoner, accompanied by finely inlaid ebony and ivory prie-dieux and matching Italian chairs. Together, these remarkable interiors make Palazzo Parisio an exceptional expression of Malta’s aristocratic domestic culture.
*Reservations close 14th October
Allergy requirements must be advised until the 13th of October 23:59pm.
Kris Spiteri
Kris Spiteri is a music director, pianist, and composer. He co-wrote the award-winning “Porn the Musical,” recognized as Best New Musical at the Off West End Theatre Awards in London. His directorial credits include “Hairspray,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “My Fair Lady,” “Mamma Mia,” “We Will Rock You,” “Matilda,” “La Cage Aux Folles,” “Grease,” “Oliver,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Annie” and “Dear Evan Hansen.” Spiteri also co-created theatrical pieces such as “Daqsxejn ta Requiem lil Leli”, “Paramm Paramm” and “Il-Qfil u l-Ħelsien Skont Manwel Dimech.” He has penned music and lyrics for Kafena’s album “Lukanda Propaganda,” the song “Tbissem” and recorded an album with Noir Trio called "Till you switch off the lights". His orchestral piece “Longing” was released in 2024, featuring the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra on the album Contemporary Colours Vol. 2, recorded by Parma Records. Spiteri is a director of Tunin’ Entertainment.