Be the first to comment!Viva l’Opera’ virtual operatic series continues with – Il Trovatore
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The second episode in the Gaulitana’s ‘Viva l’Opera’ virtual operatic series – Il Trovatore – is being premiered this Tuesday, the 24th of January.
It will be streamed free on the Gaulitana: A Festival of Music facebook page and YouTube channel, starting at 7pm and remains available on the organisation’s digital platforms.
The ‘Il Trovatore’ episode features Maltese mezzo-soprano Graziella DeBattista as well as Bulgarian-Maltese soprano Andriana Yordanova supported by Gozitan soprano Stephanie Portelli. The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by the Gaulitana’s own artistic director Colin Attard.
The scenes from this Verdian opera, directed by Denise Mulholland, were filmed at Gozo’s historic Fort Chambray, courtesy of Fort Chambray Ltd.
A story of witchcraft, murder and vengeance, the plot of ‘Il Trovatore’ finds its roots in the acts of the parents. A gypsy woman is burned at the stake for suspected witchcraft – the story of her death haunts every character in the opera. Azucena (Graziella DeBattista), her daughter, sees the death repeating in every waking moment – in the flickering of the fire and in the shape of the shadows.
She is unable to find any peace, tormented always by the shocking events of that night. Haunted by her mother’s dying words ‘mi vendica,’ Azucena sets in motion a series of events which will lead to tragedy.
The young noblewoman, Leonora (Andriana Yordanova), finds herself caught up in this story. Rejecting the advances of Count di Luna, she has fallen in love with a mysterious troubadour, Manrico, who sings of his love nightly at her window.
Ines (Stephanie Portelli), her lady-in-waiting, warns her of the dangers involved but Leonora remains determined. With the count and the troubadour already sworn enemies as leaders of opposing factions in the war; they are now destined to oppose each other in the pursuit of Leonora’s heart, with tragic consequences.
‘Viva l’Opera’ – which aims to add another perspective to Gozo’s notable intrinsic link with opera – has the full collaboration of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra as well as the backing of the MTA, the Istituto Italiano di Cultura and BOV.
