Besides the opera Norma, which is to be held at Teatru Astra this week, Festival Mediterranea presents a whole programme of cultural events that seek to unveil aspects of the islands’ rich cultural treasures and heritage. Norma opens the tenth edition of the festival, with the first performance on Thursday and a second performance on Saturday.

The festival continues this week with a number of other events. On Friday, the 28th, highlights of the history and artistic treasures of St George’s Basilica, in Victoria, will be explained by Dr Paul G Pisani during a site-visit that starts at 12.30pm. Participation is free of charge, those wishing to attend should please be in front of St George’s Basilica main door at 12.15pm.

Another appointment on the day is that of a violin and pianoforte recital, by violinist Tatyana Chircop and pianist Natascha Chircop, held at Aula Monsignor Giuseppe Farrugia at the back entrance of St George’s Basilica. Again this event is being held free of charge, with the recital starting at 8pm. The Chircop sisters are a top notch violinist and an excellent pianist respectively, who have performed extensively locally and abroad with both having CD recordings to their credits. In this recital they will be performing a number of works including Joseph Vella’s Rapsodija Maltija Op. 26 but also works by Cesar Espejo, Manuel de Falla and Franz Drdla.

The festival also tackles important ingredients from what is our Mediterranean culinary culture with two events, that of Saturday, the 29th of October, with a visit to the vineyards of a boutique winery in Gharb run by a local family, as well as a site-visit to local salt pans, a cheeselet production outlet, an agro-farm, an olive pressing plant and a mushroom growing plant, on Wednesday, the 2nd of November.

Another interesting event happening in the coming days is a concert by the brass ensemble and soloists from the La Stella Philharmonic Band. This recital brings to the forefront band players who have often distinguished themselves as soloists and who have become masters, in their own right, of the brass instrument they play. The concert will be held at the Aula Monsignor Giuseppe Farrugia at St George’s Basilica on Saturday, the 5th of November and starts at 8pm. This is another activity being held free of charge.

Another event running concurrently is an art exhibition by artist Richard Saliba, at art..è Gallery, until Sunday, the 30th of October at 1, Library Street in Victoria. Viewing times are between Monday and Saturday from 9.30am until 12.15pm.

Festival Mediterranea is entirely organised by volunteers at Teatru Astra. It continues until the 19th of November.

A full programme of events is available online at www.mediterranea.com.mt. More information may be obtained from 21550985, while booking is available at 79256897 or bookings@mediterranea.com.mt.

Photo – Piano recital in which Natascha Chircop (also playing this year) played together with her husband Marco Rivoltini in Festival Mediterranea 2010. Photo Joe Attard.

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